In the past my hunting partner and I had pick a weekend in June or July to rent a pull behind mower and mow wide paths through the woods of my property. I prefer the wide trails so one doesn't rub up against every little thing on the way in to hunt (scent control). However, after several years of doing this we have noticed the deer sort of don't appear as much. In addition, we check cameras every 2 weeks. This year we are considering a comprehensive change in our pre season activities. "just leave it along". Now as the dog days of summer are among us, we discussed several items that we need to complete prior to October 1st. We really need to make some sort of trails to our stand locations. However we are thinking smaller=better and cheaper? Is this cost savings worth it? The under growth grows rather tall and thick, making it a chore to navigate. We are considering weed eaters? Has anyone tried this method before and how did you fare? I was also considering round up on the trails? Well that's it for now, so don't be shy and let us hear you methods to creating trials.
For me I've always been the less is more when it comes to my entry trails to my stands. I would rather make the deer's trail going past my stand better than the one I come in on. It always seems deer tend to take over man made trails, especially if the area is as thick as you describe. Perhaps the deer are using yours too and they are figuring you out before you even hunt. For us we only trim what may touch us on the way in but we do remove branches and sticks that may trip us up on the way in or make excessive noise. We use reflective tacks on trails where it's easy to get off track. The only place I clear the leaf debris is around the base of the tree. Some clear paths all the way in or say the last 30 yards. For me that just helps lead them to your stand. You will make noise on your way in no matter what, so taking your time and trying to sound like an animal walking by taking occasional pauses is the way to go.
Yes the deer use the trails we make, and that's what we feel is a huge impact on our success or lactose there of. Too many trails = too many options for the deer. I've always been under the impression that you need to avoid walking on actual deer trails? As deer will eventually catch your scent.
I do make trails to some stands. We use normal weed eaters and weed eaters on wheels. We clip branches on the way and rake sticks. These trails are not very long, they vary from 10 yards to maybe 30 yards. Some of the places I hunt I would not advise doing this like bedding areas or close to them. Thick and nasty needs to stay untouched.
I mow about 5 acres around where I hunt I leave clumps of brush here and there and have a funnel area I do not mow. Come acorn time the deer love the mowed areas
THIS^^^^^^ Happened to me on my property my first year, i cleared a few trails and now they are highways for the deer, and like Chuck said, the deer knew i used them too. Less is more.
probably visit the ground this Friday to get a good idea as to the mess I have. I may bring the weed eater along to try it out.
I've been lucky that the two main properties I hunt have old well established four wheeler trails I can walk on until I get very close to my stands. I use these trails for scouting and always plan my exit/entrances on these trails. The deer use these trails all the time. Path of least resistance.
I have an old riding mower that i use to knock down the weeds on my logging roads. From the logging road to my stands I use a rake to clean a small walking path.
Machete, Machete, Machete..... we mow some trails thru CRP with a Billy Goat. We also mow field edge road with a tractor and bushhog. It doesn't affect the deer where I am.
I have done the weed eater and Round-Up ways of clearing trails. Actually, combined was the best way that I could afford to clear trails.
