Okay so I got a small tract (14acre of pine/grass, small ditch, and a 1acre pond) see picture. This property has many deer traveling 'through' the area and a few does that I would consider to be local residents. I have gotten pictures of about 5 different small bucks and 3 very nice bucks that have been caught on camera at random times but they are rare. Because there is water (on a normal year not this past year), food around at least until winter this year was beans next year corn, and decent cover with pines and tall grass (I have found some bedded areas and bumped deer up). What do you think with this 14 acre main piece is the best way to get local deer to frequent more often? Small food plot (1/4 or 1/2 acre?) or create thicker brush and better bedding habitat? I know deer are around I just need them to stay. It is frusterating to only get pictures of deer every 3-5 days moving through but do not stay around. The main area is 14acre or roughly 1000' long by 600' and the pond area is 3 acre. Small area, but so far it is what I got... Let me know what you think, thanks!
i would plant switch grass for bedding.i would do some hinge cutting. i would plant some willow,poplar and fruit trees.i would try to make some small food plots of the edges.I would only hunt the outside edges of your property leaving it as all sanctuary inside..you can do alot with 14 acres but you have to hunt it smart..if they bust you 1 time they will be gone..i would set a stand on the strip leading to the 2 parcels its a perfect pinch point.. the thicker you can make the cover the better it will be. www.bigrocktrees.com this is great site to buy hybrid cuttings you can get poplar and willow cuttings they come 9 inches long and in 2 years will be 10-12 ft trees..check out the qdma forum..you will be amased at what you can learn there about habitat and food source improvement..good luck..
As for the switchgrass... would planting by seed in the spring become a solid bedding area by fall? I have no idea how fast switch grass grows. Also, I am thinking about a few of these willow cuttings. Do you need to protect them while there young? Also I do want to have some small food plots. Again, how large of plot before it goes depleted? I believe that making much of this area a prime bedding ground would be one of the better options.
Best to frost seed switchgrass..by 2nd year it will be great. Cuttings..I cut 4'x4' sheets of black plastic.cut a slit in the center for cutting to grow thru. Helps TREMENDOUSLY in the growth and stops the weeds..I also use tree tubes so deer can not eat it..Willows grow anywhere from 6-8 feet a year.I plant black willow wheres theres standing water and dapple willow for screens. Egyptian wheat is also another good screen but has to be planted yearly,,grows from 8-12 feet. I use it around food plots so deer feel safer.Food plots...depends on your deer density..clover plots i keep around 1/4 acre. Corn and or soybeans 1-3 acres.. i like to plant clover on the outside edge of my corn and soybeans..Long strips maybe 20 ft wide.DO some hinge cutting on your woods..makes great deer beds. Just remember to treat the whole property as sanctuary and hunt the outside edges..Make them feel safe and give them something to eat..You just got a good amount of snow wait a couple days then go walk the place..find their trails..mark their trails out on your google map..locate any bedding mark that.then start to make a plan for the food plots and stand placement.looks like you got some open area by the pond,,throw a food plot there get a stand there and then plant as much cover as possible around it. Id plant switch grass in there as well as willows..good luck..get a couple mineral sites out too..
Based on the image you provided it does not look like you have many trees that you could "hinge cut" for added cover. Correct?? If this is the case, you will have excellent light penetration so anything you plant will do well... fruit trees etc. Depending on how much you want to spend, get a spade truck to transplant already established fruit trees or but some big ones since they take time to produce fruit. In the interim.... consider bringing in brush for brush piles in central areas to provide cover. Perhaps a Christmas Tree collection service for a young kid would provide him/her with a brief job, you with some help, and neighbors with an opportunity to dispose of their tree. The willows are a great idea. I question food plots given the huge amount of agriculture surrounding your property UNLESS what you plant is totally different... brassicas for example in late season would be a good idea. Consider shrubs that provide sustenance yet do not require yearly planting and will also provide cover like Native Dogwoods. These grow quickly, especially in damp areas like the pond area and grow to about 6 feet. FOR sure stay out of the central larger area as much as possible. FOR sure a stand in the narrow strip will be key especially where it angles. If you are not the farmer of these fields, consult with them to see what they will be planting. Perhaps you can ask them to plant corn in the lower right field and pay for about 30 yards to be left at the end of the season. This will provide even more cover and food. T
It would also be helpful to see a larger scale map of the area... the NW corner looks like another good pinch point and potential stand area, depending on what lies further that way. T
