Lumber prices soared to an all-time high, leading some to think twice about their outdoorsmen DIY projects.
Despite a reported 300% surge in prices, the purchase and use of lumber for new home building hasn't slowed much at all. This, in turn, has passed the extra expensive costs on to the average, everyday consumer interested in a home project. If you've walked into and Home Depot lately looking for a some plywood or 2x4s, you already know this.
Bloomberg has reported that over the past year, lumber prices have risen fourfold to $1,500 per 1,000 board feet, a price never before heard of.
Unfortunately, the reasonably-priced alternatives are few and far between. That means if you're interested in building a new deer blind during the spring and summer off-season months, or in need of a fishing dock repair or replacement, the money you'll spend will likely reach heights you never thought possible.
So what should you do about it? Wait it out, look for other material, or skip the DIY route altogether?
We came up with a few quick suggestions, but this is the kind of price uptick should hopefully only last so long. If it were permanent we'd have some different suggestions. The biggest sector being affected is the homebuilding industry, where sticker shock has become common and delays have become the norm.
For the hunter, angler, or shooter who wants to create a new range bench or duck blind, here are our ideas to weather the storm until it (hopefully) passes.
1. Find an alternative material
Though this is easier said than done, even homebuilders are considering what steel- or concrete-based homes would cost compared to wood. You could opt for composite or recycled materials, which will likely still cost a decent amount of money but not involve the price hikes lumber is witnessing.
The big advantages of these types of materials are their durability and water resistance, which wouldn't hurt the overall condition of your new fishing pier or deer blind.
2. Use your stimulus check money
Since most Americans saw a nice influx of funds arrive via the multiple stimulus checks already sent out by the U.S. government, that money could be used towards these kinds of purchases even when the cost is above average.
While a lot of outdoorsmen are finding the stimulus checks a big benefit, you could put that money towards something you know you'll get good use out of for years to come.
3. Wait it out
Ideally, a situation like what wood and lumber is seeing right now doesn't last very long. The cost is affected by things out of our control, and is compounded when industries that have to have it (like homebuilders) still pay the inflated prices.
If you don't really need to buy lumber right now, then out advice is to avoid it. Save that DIY project for next summer, you won't be missing out too badly.
All in all, the situation shouldn't be a serious threat to the overall success of a hunting or fishing season. You don't need to spend big bucks on things if you don't want to.
It's never easy to sit back and helplessly watch as prices surge, but if you're a true DIY outdoorsman, you'll find a way to cope.
NEXT: HANDCRAFTED AMMO CAN STOVE IS THE PERFECT DIY WEEKEND PROJECT
WATCH
