One of my best spots (80 acres) is being logged this fall, how will this affect the deer? I have an additional 120 acres that borders this property this is mostly woods. There is a 7-10 acre alfalfa field and then the 120 acres on the north side of the 80 acres.
You would need to know EXACTLY when this work is going to take place before you can figure how it will affect the deer. Are you referring to the deer hunting or the deer herd overall?
They did this by us as well. It might hinder things a little bit but do not let it affect your hunting. I had one hunt where I hunted by a big tree cutter that was in the woods and I still saw deer. The deer do not leave the entire area and find a new home. They basically will just move over or wait until things quite down in the evening when they are not cutting. As far as future years. If your area has good under growth the then typically the area they cut can become a big thick mess which could become a major bedding area for deer in the future. I personally like hunting areas that were previously cut because it can be thick and It deters other hunters from hunting there sometimes as well.
It will certainly impact their travel patterns. Last year they logged in Virginia and the overall sightings of deer went way down. Primarily because the area they logged was the core bedding area. This year the undergrowth is thick and the deer are showing up more on cameras. Also as the area is opened up look for new funnels. This can be an opportunity to close the deal on a monster if you play your cards right. Seeing you have an additionally 120 acres atheist is near by it could push them that way. Only time will tell. good luck.,
They will be disrupted without a doubt, but they will come out at night and go after those tops that were left behind. I've actually had deer eating the tops of trees that we dropped while we were still on the lot clearing site. Is it a clear cut, or selective felling of the trees? That will make a difference.
It will change things this year and for the next couple of years but in the long run, logging is a good thing for hunting.
