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River Bottom Hunters and Holding deer

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by Germ, Oct 5, 2009.

  1. Germ

    Germ Legendary Woodsman

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    Ok I have been on a mission the last ten years to figure out how to hold deer(mature bucks) on our farm. To date I have planted:

    65 Acers of switch grass(crp)
    400 or so trees

    As of today I am throwing in the towel:D I cannot hold diddle on our land, I must be doing something wrong. Lapratt(dude here in MI) has shot 7+ deer over 150'' on his 50 some acers here in MI. Tony is not on a river bottom, which I think is one of my main advantages and disadvantages.

    We all know deer like food, water, shelter and good habitat. River bottoms I think have the issue deer can move up and down the river and never lose one of their key items for living. Water is not everywhere, but on lands connected by river what is the difference between my corn field and the neighbors a mile up river? They have an easy way to travel, food at every farm and are not tied down to a certain section.

    I watch and hear about guys hunting bucks all year, I see a buck for a day and then he's gone. I have 6 sightings of Mr. mass the last 3 years, where the heck is he going, :confused:

    Here is my question to others who hunt river bottoms, do any of you notice the deer dispearing for a few days, and seeing different sets of deer a lot?
     
  2. Germ

    Germ Legendary Woodsman

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    That is what Laprat has 50 acres and he holds deer, but also bucks. He does it by making buck beds.

    That's the deal I have nothing they cannot get else where. I have read a lot about hinge cuttting, I am going to give it a go in the winter.

    We have 72 acers of clover:cool:

    Thank you
     
  3. Germ

    Germ Legendary Woodsman

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    I am writing this one in my notes to give it a try. My biggest wood lot is 25 acers
     
  4. DEERSLAYER

    DEERSLAYER Weekend Warrior

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    I can help you out Germ. Tony was the first person I ever met that believed in the same concepts that I did. I understand what works and why it works. I have helped people do simular stuff before I ever met Tony and it worked great for them also. I don't have time to talk at the moment, but maybe soon if you want.
     
  5. BOWSPEC

    BOWSPEC Weekend Warrior

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    Would someone please humor me and describe hinge cutting and what it entails. Is it to create bedding areas or ?
     
  6. Germ

    Germ Legendary Woodsman

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    Make cuts 1/2-3/4 through the tree between waist and chest high, then push the tree over or let it fall.

    Some guys do this around property lines to "Hold deer"
     
  7. bowmanaj

    bowmanaj Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Like Josh said, brassicas may be a good idea in terms of having "green" food around when everything else is gone, or quickly being depleted. Standing corn would be awesome too.

    Late season is when Im trying to keep deer on our property. I am hoping for results this year, we will see...Our property is along the "Laugher Creek" river bottoms, off the Ohio River in SE Indiana. But these plots aren't low, they are up a ridge a ways.



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  8. Bawanajim

    Bawanajim Weekend Warrior

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    Gary your timing is off by a couple of months, you are counting on food at a time of year that it is most prevalent, acorns ,corn and soy beans are every where "NOW" they won't be in a couple of months. Those acres of clover won't hide a shrew not alone a buck, great food no cover.
    The guys that are telling you to cut trees are right, just not exactly right, cutting for cover & bedding is a necessity, cutting for travel corridors is where your success will come from.
    You need to now where the buck wants to go and then create a thick corridor for him to use with confidence, once this is done I think you can figure out the rest.

    Good luck, Jim
     

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