Finished closing today on a 40 acre tract. 22 acres planted six years ago in pine and five year old cherry bark oak planted intermixed with the pine. There is a creek on the west third running through the property. South end is swampy area that can be opened up a little to make a duck hole. It's a little late but plan on trying to get a couple of small food plots in and a mineral site set up in the next couple of weeks. With the wet bottoms, the food plot may take. This is something I have wanted to do for over thirty years and it is finally happened. I've been feeling like a kid waiting for Christmas while all the waiting for closing took place. This project will probably take me several years to complete but the labor and learning will hopefully pay off with a nice place to hunt. I'll try to post some pictures. Next will be pictures of the creek Swampy area for future duck hole.
Just for hunting now. Takes time and work to make dreams happen but finally got to the point where I could. It's only 4.5 miles from the house so it's quick and easy to get to. Got to get a disc for the ATV now and get some of the smaller pines cleared out to make food plot areas. Next year will plant some pear trees. So far I've found 14 persimmon trees several different types of young while oaks. It will take time. Also reading posts here will help with ideas for the place.
Congrats man! I love these type of threads (I feel like we should have a separate forum for this stuff)! Any plans for the creek?
Congrats on the new property! That's fantastic. Can't wait to see the progress you make over the coming years.
Thanks to all for the nice comments. During the process of buying, I made several trips out there. Have seen deer, turkey, ducks, rabbit, squirrels and doves on it. Two pairs of great blue herons have nests in a big pine in the southwest corner. Had one cotton mouth encounter so far but the bottoms are probably full of them. Also found sign of coyotes and hogs. Small area with a good variety of critters. Pretty good deer club west of me, fresh clear cut south, select cut timber on the north and pasture land to the east.
Rain on my days off have really put a dent on my time to work out there. Have got about 150 yard trail cut to where I am opening up an area for a food plot and have set up a mineral site in an old stump. Started clearing out the food plot location (cutting pines, blackberries, devils walking stick and other weeds and shrubs out). I can see the creek from this location and found a heavy well used deer run on the north side of the location. Two weeks off and plan on some work on it every day. Still have to remark and post the lines.
Trail I cut going in to the area I plan for the first small food plot an area opened up for the plot, Will try to transplant some of the smaller oaks that are growing in the opened up area.
Got a good deal on a used disc for the ATV today. Found out I need to cut more trees and open up the area. Turn radius on the ATV towing the disc is more than I planned on. Learn as we go I guess. Sure beats digging it out by hand though.
Few pictures of the work being done. First food plot looked small so have been opening the area up to increase the size for a fall planting. Have had the axe and shovel busy cutting trees and digging out roots. Several more trees to go but should have it ready for a mid September planting. Also some pictures of my food plot. Late planting worked out ok because we had a wetter than usual summer. A couple of the pictures didn't post on first try so here they are.
