Hunt2Prove

Update – 1/24/2022

A conversation earlier today reminded me of a few things I’d like to share here among answers to some frequently asked questions we receive.  First, there is always something new to learn and someone new to learn it from.  We certainly don’t claim to have all of the answers or to be right in every situation we face.  We are learning and growing with each passing day and we hope that you are too.  We highly value constructive criticism and other ideas.  When it comes to managing lands for Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite Quail, Forest Aesthetics, and other Ecological Benefits, we are better than average and will be happy to prove it!  When it comes to managing loblolly pine plantations for maximum timber production with minimal focus on any other objective, we’re NOT the best fit.  That doesn’t mean we can’t or won’t help you or give you our two cents if you decide you want us as stewards.  You should just know in advance that it’s not necessarily our cup of tea.  On that note, I read somewhere that “you can’t be everyone’s cup of tea otherwise you’d be a mug.”  To be clear – we are NOT everyone’s cup of tea – some love us, others do not.  That’s just the way life works.  Lord knows I’ve wasted enough of my life wondering what I could’ve done differently to please some people.  Sometimes you just can’t and that’s okay!  It doesn’t make you a terrible person and it doesn’t make them one either.  

At the end of the day, we welcome ideas and anything other than destructive banter.  If we get something wrong we are happy to do everything we can to get it right.  Learning from our mistakes is just as important to us as perceived value and making sure we are worth the money we charge.     

Now to the FAQs.

Often times, when discussing the benefits of Prescribed Fire with folks, we are asked – Do you burn for free?

Answer – No we do not.  We are a family-owned, privately funded, for-profit entity.  Beginning Fall 2021, our prices for in-stand burning will be a minimum of $35 per acre.  Site-preparation burning will be a minimum of $55 per acre.  Each burn is different and may require a different work-load or manpower presence.  Any cavity trees or trees with heavy duff layers that need special attention with the rake, leaf-blower, or other piece of equipment will be an additional $30 per tree.  These prices do not include firebreak installation or re-habilitation of existing breaks.  We will implement a $1000.00 minimum on all Prescribed Burns, not including a one-way milage charge of $3.50 per mile.  

I think this question of burning for free comes about due to the ability of certain non-profit, grant-funded, or governmental organizations that are in a position to burn for free or for reduced rates.

How are they able to do so?

Non-profit land trusts are funded by membership dues, donations, the harvest of timber resources on lands they own, and other means.  As such, they may be able to burn your acreage for free or for a reduced rate.  Having no direct knowledge of the programs they may offer, you’d be best served to contact one or multiple land trusts to see for yourself if they offer such programs.

Grant-Funded entities like certain Prescribed Burn Associations are good resources for folks who may need something done for free or for a reduced rate.  There are a few in North Carolina that we are aware of.  In Central, NC the one we hear most about is the Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association.  They may be able to carry out your burn for free or for a reduced rate.  If not, perhaps they’re able to get you in contact with someone who is free or less expensive than we are.

The North Carolina Forest Service prescribed fire rates are $45 per acre for site preparation burning and $30 for in-stand, understory burning. These rates include firebreak installation and all other aspects of carrying out a prescribed burn on your property.  They are able to do because they are a tax-funded entity.  Anyone who pays taxes, pays for a portion of the equipment, salaries, liability insurance, and so forth of the NCFS.

One thing to note and keep in mind, just about any free and reduced line is a long line, even when it comes to Rx Burning.

Update (7/30/2021) – We have no clue what some other private burn crews may charge or how we compare.  That said, we will not “price-match” any person or company and knock someone out of a job/burn opportunity over a few dollars.  We do appreciate any and all consideration for work, but we also value the importance of other burners and their teams.  We will never go so far as to focus on or discuss what someone else can or cannot do for you.  Instead, we will focus on ideas and what we are capable of handling with respect to Rx Fire and Land Management.  

Why are our rates what they are?  As mentioned above, all of our equipment, manpower, and liability insurance is privately funded.  At present we are probably one of the most prepared, if not the most prepared, private burn crew in North Carolina in terms of equipment on-hand to make buns safer.  Our equipment includes:

• 1 – Can-Am Defender XD-10 dedicated to prescribed fire and other land management uses
• 1 Kawasaki Mule Pro-Fxt dedicated to prescribed fire and other land management uses
• 1 Can-Am Outlander 6×6 dedicated to prescribed fire and other land management uses
• 1 Honda Foreman 4×4 dedicated to prescribed fire and other land management uses
• 1 QTAC 85 HP dedicated Rx Fire Sprayer
• 1 QTAC 20s dedicated Rx Fire Sprayer
• 1 F/S Manufacturing Skid Sprayer for Rx Fire Use
• 1 Bobcat T-250 to aid in firebreak rehabilitation and stand-by safety use
• 1 Kubota M5-091 to aid in firebreak rehabilitation and stand-by safety use
• 1 Dedicated Prescribed Burn trailer outfitted to provide additional safety resources and filled with over $10,000 worth of tools for use on Prescribed Burns – tools that we build upon each year.
• 8 Custom-made, high visibility Rx Fire Road signs to alert the public of Rx Fire Activity and potential smoke on a roadway 

Do you need all of the above-equipment to carry out a prescribed burn?  No, you might not.  Why do we have it?  We have worked hard and re-invested into our company to be as prepared as we possibly can to make prescribed burning safer.  By being as prepared and as safe as possible, we feel we are in a unique position to serve you and others who may be looking to implement a regimen of Rx Fire.

Update (7/30/2021) – Will having the equipment listed above save you from inexperience?  Sometimes, maybe.  Most times, No.  8 Years ago when I first took the Certified Burner Course offered at Montgomery Community College, most of the equipment above would have done me very little good. Aside from maybe helping me get out of dodge when things went bad.  The fact is, I was as green as could be with the actual application of prescribed fire.  Like many, I knew what I wanted fire to do for me, but I had no clue how to actually use it.  You don’t, until you do.  Mentors are a great help in that respect if you are actually looking to become certified and/or carry out prescribed burns yourself.  Another MUST is having access to fantastic landowners that afford you the privilege to burn and learn on their lands.  I cannot thank the folks we work for or our Rx Fire mentors enough.  If you do not have mentors or access to burning opportunities, this is one way that Prescribed Burn Associations may be a tremendous help to you. For a complete listing of associations in North Carolina, please check out the North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council.  The ONLY thing that will increase your in-the-field knowledge of prescribed fire is actually applying fire when and where you can.  There’s no better substitute than field experience.

Does our preparedness, equipment-wise mean that our fires will never get out?   No, it most definitely does not.  Anyone who burns long enough, whether private, non-profit, government, or the like will have an escaped fire that may or may not cause property damage.  Regardless of a prescription, Mother Nature can always have one up her sleeve.  If anyone ever makes such a claim, walk away.  On second thought, run.

Should the thought of an accident, escaped fire, or smoke liability deter your practice of prescribed fire?  No it should not.  The fact is, there is NO better tool than prescribed fire when it comes to creating wildlife habitat or reducing forest fuels.  None. Yes, there are going to be those who complain here and there.  Some folks have nothing better to do.  Others, are just not educated on the benefits of prescribed burning and/or why we do it.  In a lot of cases, it’s because no one has ever taken the time to explain it to them in a way that they can understand or relate to.  Sadly, some of the wild things/luxuries valued by those who might complain about prescribed burning smoke or other issues are wholly dependent on prescribed fire, whether on a local, regional, or nation-wide level.  Such wild things/luxuries might include: Pollinators and pollinator plants; certain populations of wildlife; certain entire ecosystems; insulation from wildfire and so forth.

Are those with less equipment less suited to burn for you?  Not necessarily.  There are many, many individuals and companies, alike, who have burned many more thousands of acres than we have at present.  Some entities, we’ll never catch up with.  You’d be best suited by looking into the tools at the disposal of other individuals/companies yourself.  Additionally, we are not claiming to be “better” than any certified burner or burning entity in the state of North Carolina or elsewhere.  We are only claiming to be better prepared than some, if not most, private companies that are available.

As we’ve grown, the demand for our services has increased.  We are in the process of creating multiple burn crews for 2021-2022 to accomplish our work load.  We are committed to keeping our promises of accomplishing burns in our current line-up first.  All burns are on a first come, first contracted basis.  That said, each individual burn unit is different.  Some burns, although on our books for a shorter period of time, might be able to be accomplished with different weather parameters or a crew size that might put them to the front of the line.  If you have hundreds of acres that need immediate attention, we are happy to discuss your specific property needs and even hire more personnel or buy more equipment to aid in accomplishing your prescribed fire and wildlife habitat goals.

Update (7/30/2021) – Does your cost include firebreak installation?  No, it does not. Firebreaks can be as crude or as polished as you prefer them to be.  Some firebreaks are meant only for the stoppage of fire.  Any time we are privileged with the task of implementing firebreaks, they are made sound enough for utility vehicle traffic at a minimum.  Often times, they can handle regular trucks.  This does not mean that continual maintenance of our firebreaks will not be necessary.  It will be.  Firebreaks of the sort we commission are a great investment for your property.  Aside from making prescribed burns safer, they offer increased functional edge habitat that can be utilized/maintained for wildlife benefit.  They also afford advanced recreational opportunities.  Firebreaks that are lasting and traversable long-term add value to your property as interconnecting thoroughfares that help to connect woods roads, fields, riparian zones, and so forth.  From a wildlife standpoint, they aid in patchwork dynamics and accessibility.

P.S. – To everyone, regardless of wealth or means – There are certain cost-share programs that are available to help off-set prescribed burning costs.  If you are taking the initiative to implement a prescribed fire regimen on your property or if you are continuing the use of long-introduced Rx Fire on your lands, you deserve a break every once in a while!  Certain programs can help.  We will be glad to apply for you.  The fact is, that by choosing to burn you are one of the few.  That said, WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU, whether we are the stewards of your property or not.  The good you are doing by practicing Rx Fire is important to us all, even to those who don’t understand or care to understand why.