Great article. I've seen first-hand the benefits of selectively cutting timber to create understory, bedding, and enhance the growth of desirable plant species. Cody is spot-on. You can exponentially increase the carrying capacity of your land by simply spending a few days in the woods, laying down some trees and opening up the canopy. The key is knowing what to cut and what to leave. Do your homework. I see literally thousands of acres in prime whitetail country just plain going to waste due to overgrown timber choking out the understory, leaving the deer with no food and no cover. These landowners invariably will be left scratching their heads, wondering why their 1000 acre tract isn't producing much in the line of trophy whitetails. Meanwhile, the neighbors are having the time of their lives, picking off shooter bucks that are lingering around the best bedding cover on their back-forty. I've got dozens of hunting properties that I could really enhance if given the opportunity to do some of my own select cutting, but since my name's not on the deed, I have to bite the bullet and work with what I've got.
Good article for sure. Hinge cutting is also a great tool for providing browse that's readily accessible during the harsh winter months.
