Terrible news

[Texas Solo]

Central Alabama Gun Club has hit a serious snag in building our new 1000yd range. We can't find anyone to cut/buy the timber.
Two local mills have closed and the proposed new one has been delayed until next year. Timber prices continue to fall.
The demand for lumber has fallen dramatically due to no new construction happening. Obviously we cannot proceed without the sale of the timber.
This development has me so upset. The range committee has already made decisions on how to build the range and what we wanted.
Running water with restroom, electric, range booth, electronic gate, E Targets, etc. It's designed to be really a nice range that everyone would enjoy coming too.
I was reminded that the purpose of buying the land was to create a buffer to avoid the possibility of a builder putting houses there and jeopardizing our current range. A wise move indeed. But to have the property and not be able to use it is tearing me apart.

 

[ELR LVR]

Central Alabama Gun Club has hit a serious snag in building our new 1000yd range. We can't find anyone to cut/buy the timber.
Two local mills have closed and the proposed new one has been delayed until next year. Timber prices continue to fall.
The demand for lumber has fallen dramatically due to no new construction happening. Obviously we cannot proceed without the sale of the timber.
This development has me so upset. The range committee has already made decisions on how to build the range and what we wanted.
Running water with restroom, electric, range booth, electronic gate, E Targets, etc. It's designed to be really a nice range that everyone would enjoy coming too.
I was reminded that the purpose of buying the land was to create a buffer to avoid the possibility of a builder putting houses there and jeopardizing our current range. A wise move indeed. But to have the property and not be able to use it is tearing me apart.

Thats unfortunate
Frustrating
If it were me, I'd get a timber license/permit and an Alaskan sawmill
and get things straightened out around there

 

[shoot4fun]

Central Alabama Gun Club has hit a serious snag in building our new 1000yd range. We can't find anyone to cut/buy the timber.
Two local mills have closed and the proposed new one has been delayed until next year. Timber prices continue to fall.
The demand for lumber has fallen dramatically due to no new construction happening. Obviously we cannot proceed without the sale of the timber.
This development has me so upset. The range committee has already made decisions on how to build the range and what we wanted.
Running water with restroom, electric, range booth, electronic gate, E Targets, etc. It's designed to be really a nice range that everyone would enjoy coming too.
I was reminded that the purpose of buying the land was to create a buffer to avoid the possibility of a builder putting houses there and jeopardizing our current range. A wise move indeed. But to have the property and not be able to use it is tearing me apart.

Is this the club in Shorter?
Hate to hear of these issues but our club has been in limbo for months now as we sold the old location and set about rebuilding 60 years of work.

 

[Texas Solo]

Is this the club in Shorter?
Hate to hear of these issues but our club has been in limbo for months now as we sold the old location and set about rebuilding 60 years of work.

Yes, in Shorter. What club are you with? I heard of one being sold and moving.

 

[Steve h]

I worked for a lumber company for years. Timber prices generally fall this time of year because all the loggers can get in the woods due to good weather, causing a glut of logs. Hopefully the price of logs will come up in the winter when the weather slows the ability get logs.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Is the range set up for any shorter distance?

 

[Texas Solo]

Is the range set up for any shorter distance?

Yes. We currently have a 300yd range we use for F Class.
The new range was to have 200,300, 600 & 1000yds

 

[laangler]

How big of an area are you trying to sell? Most loggers need a good size parcel to warrant moving all the equipment to.

 

[Texas Solo]

How big of an area are you trying to sell? Most loggers need a good size parcel to warrant moving all the equipment to.

About 140 acres

 

[laangler]

I am a timber appraiser myself it’s not good in my area either but that size place would be desirable depending on what timber types are there . If most of the timber type was going to those mills taken down how far is it to mills buying that product now? If it’s far away trucking eats up any profit quickly.

 

[Texas Solo]

My understanding is that no mills are doing any harvesting right now.
I don't know where the next nearest mill is located, but I was told that they weren't interested.

 

[Fuj]

Any Amish communities in and around your area. Talk to an elder.

 

[Texas Solo]

Any Amish communities in and around your area. Talk to an elder.

Nope. Just Southern Baptist

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am a timber appraiser myself it’s not good in my area either but that size place would be desirable depending on what timber types are there . If most of the timber type was going to those mills taken down how far is it to mills buying that product now? If it’s far away trucking eats up any profit quickly.

My Wife’s family had about 250 acres of “prime timber land” up in East Texas. A bunch of Grandkids that inherited it thought they all hit the jackpot.
Until all of the “extra cost” hit them. The real shame was, after they came in and stripped mined it, the land was just about worthless. All that is there now is that red dirt and overbrush.

And taxes.

 

[Texas Solo]

My Wife’s family had about 250 acres of “prime timber land” up in East Texas. A bunch of Grandkids that inherited it thought they all hit the jackpot.
Until all of the “extra cost” hit them. The real shame was, after they came in and stripped mined it, the land was just about worthless. All that is there now is that red dirt and overbrush.

And taxes.

Not a concern for us. The land was purchased as a buffer to thwart development next to our existing land. 140 acres of dirt would look really good to us.

 

[laangler]

My understanding is that no mills are doing any harvesting right now.
I don't know where the next nearest mill is located, but I was told that they weren't interested.

See if you can contact the state forest service they should be able to provide you with a list of logging companies in your county that buy.

 

[Texas Solo]

See if you can contact the state forest service they should be able to provide you with a list of logging companies in your county that buy.

I think that has been done. We have a forester who is supposed to be handling things. Personally, I question his enthusiasm.

 

[Steve Donlon]

That's why they need to do it them selves if the lumber is marketable Milled lumber is easier to sell. The price of 1x6 is crazy. For fencing or veneer, if it's nice wood. But I guess where you live does not help.

 

[Texas Solo]

That's why they need to do it them selves if the lumber is marketable Milled lumber is easier to sell. The price of 1x6 is crazy. For fencing or veneer, if it's nice wood. But I guess where you live dose not help.

I'd be up for clearing it ourselves as long as we have a guaranteed buyer.
But with approximately 30 ACTIVE members out of 700, I don't see it happening.

 

[Steve Donlon]

That's sad that 670 members would not help out for their range that they will enjoy after you do all the work.