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WRP experience

10hunter2

New Member
Looking at a property that is 2/3 wrp…wondering who has experience with and if you could share any insight? Pros and cons of ownership?
 
Yes I have some experience. I’d say make sure it’s very cheap in price, the restrictions are numerous.

It depends on the situation? If it’s a property that borders your farm it’s more attractive.

No income, but can be excellent cover. Good luck !
 
Keep in mind that the seller was paid a good $$ amount for the easement. Maybe a few Iowa guys could help here, but in my area of Minnesota , WRP sells for about 1/3 of the market in that area …

Example 6000 acre land will sell for 2000/acre. I see some on the market now and it’s not selling.
 
The person who put the Land into easement sold basically all rights with the easement to usda. Know that going in.

You basically retain the rights to pay taxes, hunt and fish. All other rights belong to usda. That includes rights to cut trails, food plots, harvest nuts, berries, timber,etc.

You can ask for a compatible use authorization for trails, food plots, manage water levels, etc. It is not a right but typically granted. Ask for a copy of existing compatible use and copy of the warranty easement deed restrictions before you go too far.
It's typically a good deal for hunting and fishing. But not much more.
 
Here’s another HUUUGGGGEEE consideration with wrp…. Some tracts get in due to the fact they have hydric soils but they really don’t flood very often. Others have the same hydric soils but on high rainfall years the whole place can be completely under water. Like- take a speed boat across it. Give u real examples…. See this map …. This area I’ve seen turn into a lake for multiple years. I could give dozens more areas like this. Lots enrolled in wrp.
On other hand- other locations where it’s smaller rivers & elevation is higher.
I’d much rather have a place that doesn’t go underwater in the bad years. Heck- some wrp farms have “half of it” that never floods.
Just understand that some areas will turn into lakes during bad years. Other wrp farms end up with far less issues.
This area here…. Could water ski on these farms for half dozen years I can recall in last 25 years.
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Half of my 120 acres is in WRP (flood plain of the cedar river). Has decent timber. I manage trails however i want. Can put up to 10% (i think) in food plots. I only have about 2-3% in a plot. I did have to send a map of the area i was putting in as a plot and basically register it, or get approval. It was no big deal. The plot was already in and they found it on an inspection and informed me i didn't follow procedure. i did the paperwork and all was well. I have done TSI and controlled burns on it also without issue.

Just be sure to know exactly what the limitations are on the piece you are considering and decide if that aligns with what you want. I was buying for deer hunting and all 60 acres of my current WRP are good deer hunting. A different piece i looked at was all WRP, mostly switchgrass. I looked into if i could plant trees. I couldn't so that piece was out.

As others mentioned it is worth less than non WRP ground, but the right piece can still be a great hunting property. Good luck!
 
May be a new high for WRP onstage from what I am an aware. $5600 an acre blended which is 3400+ for wrp??
 

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There is one for sale that butts up to one of the farms I hunt. It went for sale this winter and was two separate parcels. It has sold several times over the years and a local realtor purchased it. They kept the bigger parcel with a shed home on it and the other the have listed that is $5,931 an acre for a total of 73 acres. Only timber is along the river and fence line.
 
Ive seen some crazy head scratching WRP sales in last couple years. Last one was over 5k.
People with too much 1031 & PPP money. God bless the United Stated of America.

I bet over half the peoples spending that kind of money on WRP don’t even understand the rules behind it. New to the sport and want their kid to have a place to hunt because they watched YouTube videos during Covid and now want to be a deer hunter.
 
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