Woodland Stewardship

A new website seems tailor made for property owners at RiverBend. There are articles on all of the issues and opportunities that we face in trying to preserve and enjoy our property. There are excellent articles on water resources, wildlife and many others. I discovered the site during a search for liability issues and found their excellent discussion; Land Ownership, Liability, and the Law in North Carolina. Click on this link to download the pdf. This article is a must read.

The website is a wonderful and growing resource ... highly recommended. Click on the highlighted link above or go to - http://www.woodlandstewardseries.com/

Hunting Season

November 12 marks the start of deer season. Be safe. Wear hunter orange vests and hats if you will be visiting RB.

Steve Lanning informed me today that Dave Watts' property has been leased to hunters again this year. The terms are different with a timber company holding the lease rights and leasing to hunters rather than Dave doing the leasing. These hunters have put up a locked gate on the main road to prevent others from entering the area. This gate is also ahead of the Settlage property. Mike Settlage was called by the hunters and he agreed to the gate and they have provided him with a key so that he can reach his property. He welcomes this because it may help protect him from the vandalism he has experienced.

The picture above shows my truck outside the locked gate. This seems to restrict other property owners from river access. This is very different from our understanding when we purchased our parcel in 2002.

Mike Settlage informed me that the RiverBend corporation has been dissolved. This creates confusion about authorities, covenants and restrictions. These need to be resolved to protect our property and property values.

Gulf, NC

Gulf (zip 27256) is the geographical center of North Carolina. It is a tiny community located in Chatham county but only 3 miles from Riverbend. The community is home to JR Moore's general store and several historical homes that are regrettably in poor condition. It received its name from its location, at a wide bend in the Deep River. Up to the minute weather info is available at weatherbug to help you plan day trips or visits. Google maps can get you there.

Mushrooms Abound

The fall moisture and an abundance of moist leaves has stimulated a remarkable proliferation of mushrooms. These two are large with the base the size of a baseball bat and the top the size of a paper picnic plate. They are not edible of course but their growth is remarkable to watch and the intricacies of their under surface quite interesting.

As I hike and drive around RB I see very few signs of hunting or baiting. It could be that the "unwelcome mat" is out and now understood by hunters. It is certainly not due to a depletion of deer. Recently I saw a large buck with a trophy size rack. It is quite a remarkable place.

Historical Markers

Have you ever driven along country roads in North Carolina and passed an interesting historical marker but could not read it in time? There is a terrific web site to help you out. It is the NC Historical Markers program. If you poke around on the site, you will find ways to map the area and print a related essay. Near RiverBend there are several markers; Plank Road, Alston House, Endor Iron Works, Charles D. McIver, Egypt Coal Mine, Granville Grant.

Our TLC Neighbors

The Triangle Land Conservancy purchased riverfront property along the Deep River near RiverBend in 2002. They have an interest in other acquisitions along the river and as their assets allow, I suspect that our neighbors will increase their holdings in the area. In 2007 the NC General Assembly authorized adding the Deep River State Trail to the State Parks system. It will be exciting to watch this trail develop over the next few years.

The TLC recently published a canoeing guide for our section of the Deep River. It contains interesting historical and natural history narratives. Did you know that we have the largest coal deposits in NC? One RB landowner drilled a well and went through several feet of pure coal. Download your pdf at this link: TLC Deep River Guide. The water levels are remaining more stable since the construction of the Deep River Dam at highpoint. This has resulted in more canoe groups recently.

Timber Solicitation

Yesterday I received a mail solicitation for timber harvesting. I am sure that other RB owners also received the same mailing. Timber exports to Asia are driving up prices and the market is strong enough that companies such as this one are conducting mass mailings to line up new cutting areas. According to a recent story ships from China are arriving full of imports but departing empty. This has resulted in very low shipping costs for products that previously would not be feasible to ship to China. Hay is an example. It is cheaper to ship hay from the USA than within China. The same with timber. It is cheaper to buy ours than to cut their own and ship it.

Click letter below to enlarge.







This also highlights the risk of timber poaching or theft (see prior postings on this from last year). As we all know, no harvesting of timber is allowed at Riverbend.

New Posted Signs

The Settledge family has put up posted signs on their property with cable barriers for protection. This is increasingly important during this time of year to prevent unauthorized hunting or other activities.

On two occasions during the last month, I have encountered Michael on the main RB road, or on our property. He is riding a 4 wheeler. On both occasions, I have reminded him that he is not welcome and that the property is posted. He has claimed various "approvals" and "permissions" but he cannot produce written permission as required by law and the property owners I have spoken with have given no permissions to anyone. He resides at the Hineken property which abuts RB and it will be difficult to keep him away. Ricky Watts (Dave's brother) knows him well and believes that he is responsible for a wave of vandalism.

Chigger Heaven at RiverBend

During a recent trip to RiverBend I had an encounter with “chiggers,” and discovered what many already know, they are much worse than ticks. RB is apparently “chigger heaven” due to the undergrowth and grasses. When I returned home, I read up on the little buggers.

Interesting facts:

1. Deet is less effective.
2. They can go through loose weave clothing.
3. The allergic reaction can be systemic, but is usually local.
4. They don’t drink blood, but tissue liquefied by their saliva.
5. To prevent; avoid known areas, wear tight weave clothes, avoid hot afternoons (they are only active when soil temp is 60-86 F); use deet but powdered sulfur is better; keep moving.
6. Wash skin/clothes a quickly as possible.

There is a good write up in Wikipedia, and a very informative online info sheet from Ohio State University.

Logan Okra

Our neighbors the Logan family have been very kind and supportive over the years. Kenneth Logan repaired my tractor and gave me some great advice on maintaining it properly.



Today I stopped at their farm shed to buy okra but sadly they were sold out. They should have more ready to pick by Sunday. My favorite Logan product is their strawberries ... big and delicious. In season, sweet corn is terrific. Now they are selling dried corn as "deer corn."

Dale was there today baby sitting and tending the vegetable sales.

Box Turtle

The Carolina Box turtle is the official NC reptile. This time of year, they are busy laying eggs. Our section of RiverBend has many adults wandering the high ground looking for a good egg site. This month's issue of Wildlife in North Carolina has a nice article on the terrapin.

Deer Season Starts Soon

There are unmistakable signs that this will be a busy and active deer season. No property owners have leased to hunters as far as I can tell. I have seen familiar and some unfamiliar faces while hiking on my property at Riverbend and they are no doubt scouting the property for hunting sites. See an earlier post (July 11, 2011) regarding strengthening NC hunting laws in favor of landowners.

Be Safe.


CENTRAL DEER SEASON
Archery: Sept. 10 – Oct. 28 (No firearms may be carried).
Muzzleloader: Oct. 29 – Nov. 11
Gun: Nov. 12 – Jan. 2

Website for hunting regulations.

House in the Horseshoe

Near our Riverbend property is an amazing historic site, the Alston house or as known in the 1700’s, the House in the Horseshoe. It is located in a horseshoe bend of the Deep River in northern Moore County about 7 miles from Riverbend. It is one of the first large houses of the state’s upland frontier country; the House in the Horseshoe was built around 1772 by Phillip Alston and some­times is known as the Alston House. Its walls bear numerous scars and bullet holes sustained during a Revolutionary War skirmish. Of interest to our neighbors are several unique exhibits. These include exhibits on the Indians who once lived in this area, colonial crops, and North Carolina backcountry planters' wives.

For more reading, click here.

Plank Road

Plank Road runs past the entrance to RiverBend and is a well paved and heavily traveled route. It has an interesting past as shown by this historical marker nearby.

North Carolinians developed plank roads in the late 1840s. These wooded highways were an improvement over rough, dirt roads and an important trade development. They can be thought of as the 1840's equivalent of the modern interstate system. Trade networks at the time consisted of plank roads, railroad hubs, and seaports. this effort was considered much needed, as one historian puts it, because plank roads could free “citizens from the bondage of primitive roads.”

More reading is available online at the Plank site. The historical markers site is also very interesting.

Camera Surveillance

I purchased an 8 megapixel "wild game" camera from Costco recently. It is motion triggered and weatherproof. After trying it out around the house and yard, I set it up at a strategic location on my RiverBend property. I was surprised to see how many vehicles enter RiverBend each day. Recently a large buck in velvet passed in front of my car. Quite a beautiful sight.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission website is a great resource for information. Bow season starts in September, 2011 and there are clear signs that our properties are being scouted by hunters. I see no new stands, but there are many stands from last year. Remember to wear bright hunter "orange" even if you are on your own property. In general, you should not confront a hunter concerning their right to be in RB. It is too dangerous. You can place a note on their parked car, and if you see them before they have set up, (i.e., walking through the woods or driving in) you can speak to them and ask them to show written permission. We now have an officer in the Lee County sheriff's office who is aware of our situation and willing to help.

The Landowner Protection Act was passed on July 5, 2011 and provides two ways for landowners to post their lands to allow only hunters, trappers and anglers with written permission to legally enter their property. Landowners can now post their land by using vertical purple paint marks on posts or trees, or, as in the past, by placing signs or posters. Penalties have been increased. LINK . They have included an online template form for use.

Liability for hunters on your property has been more carefully defined by the new law. Trespassers and persons hunting with permission (for no fee) are not a legal liability for the landowner as long as they understand that they are not permitted on your property (posted). If you have charged a hunter for entering your property, you are liable for their injuries and must identify any known hazards on the property.

Liability
Landowner Form

Prolific Growth

Trees and understory are having a great growth spurt thanks to the wet spring in the area. When someone does a tree ring analysis in a few decades, they will ask ... "What happened in 2011?

Vandalism continues unabated. I placed cables with locks across my entry points to keep the 4 wheelers out. A trespasser put a bullet hole in it but it held. Unfortunately, I cannot unlock it either.



Roads continue to develop deeper potholes. So far, no problems for smaller vehicles, but larger construction and logging trucks will have increasing problems. During the logging of last summer, one of the big trucks broke an axle. The driver told me he would never come down in here again.

Riverbend Summer

Riverbend can be surprisingly hot and humid beginning in June. The dense stands of forest and undergrowth prevent air currents and the humidity compounds the heat. I visited recently on a hot day and found myself exhausted after about 2 hours. The heavy rains of this spring have produced very dense growth. The biodiversity at RB is amazing and this year, more species are evident than in past years.

I see no evidence of building, logging or other human activity.

Riverbend Ideas

1. Owner Presence on Property.
Several owners are now spending much more time on the property, either visiting or working. I have changed my work schedule to half time and visit about once per week. Mike Stringham has retired and says he will be able to visit more often. Brian Greene is clearing and planning and may soon start construction. Steve Lanning has been clearing and visits about 3 times per week.

2. Ticks.

Ticks are a big problem this time of year. Always use repellent and inspect carefully. The high deer population completes the life cycle for Lyme disease and RMSF.

3. Roads.

These continue to deteriorate. Some potholes are so large that traveling the road after a big rainstorm is a challenge. Roadwork will be needed this summer.

4. Hunter baitings.

Beginning in June, hunters who plan to spend time at RB during the fall begin to place bait stations to set up patterns of feeding and predictable movements of deer. I always remove these bait stands and leave the apparatus visible so that it can be retrieved by the trespasser.

5. Fallen Timber

Old and fallen timber, particularly large cedar trees, are very valuable. There is a local mill that will process very small jobs. See recent post.

DG

Barham Family

I recently met a husband and wife on a four wheeler riding on our main road. Their name is Barham and they live on the Accord property in the gray home near the road. They seem like a nice and supportive couple. She is the daughter of the Accords. They indicated that city water was recently extended to the Logan "chicken coops" about 300 feet from the entrance to our property. We should watch this carefully and encourage county utility authorities to extend water supply to our property.

No Tornado Damage

Two days after the big storm I traveled to Riverbend to see if there was tree damage. Fortunately, we had no visible damage. Of course it is possible that trees away from the road and not visible could have been damaged. The main damage was to areas closer to Sanford, about 10 miles away. Dogwood blossoms have mostly dropped although an occasional blooming dogwood can be spotted in low lying areas that have been cooler.

I stopped at a roadside vendor for “rough cut lumber” near the intersection of Plank road and Hwy 421. Mr Bob Greathouse runs a small mill and works independently. He cuts one or two logs at a time and no job is too small. He takes on small and special projects at $20 per hour. He lives on site, and can be reached at 919-898-4115.