What did you do for the deer today?
- Thread starter giles
- Start date
Walked my property this afternoon and made a list of to-dos.
-Add some more hinge cuts to a bedding area I worked on last winter
-Trim out a skinny lane adjacent to the my neighbor to the south,
-Use a combination of cut stump treatments and girdling on some honey locust trees in a few key areas
-Repair and restake 97 (yes I counted lol) tree tube shelters that have either broken or blown over.
-Place some large logs in a bedding area (high ground) within my east wetland… Deer often times choose bedding with a “backer” of sorts against a downed tree/log.
It was an encouraging walk around the property, which is now entering its 4th full growing season. There are quite a few newly established deer trails that formed this past season and . I believe it’s important to do everything possible to promote habituation and imprinting on a recently created or restored property, particularly on the younger (up and coming) deer. My observations from today are showing exactly that, much more even than the season prior.
-Add some more hinge cuts to a bedding area I worked on last winter
-Trim out a skinny lane adjacent to the my neighbor to the south,
-Use a combination of cut stump treatments and girdling on some honey locust trees in a few key areas
-Repair and restake 97 (yes I counted lol) tree tube shelters that have either broken or blown over.
-Place some large logs in a bedding area (high ground) within my east wetland… Deer often times choose bedding with a “backer” of sorts against a downed tree/log.
It was an encouraging walk around the property, which is now entering its 4th full growing season. There are quite a few newly established deer trails that formed this past season and . I believe it’s important to do everything possible to promote habituation and imprinting on a recently created or restored property, particularly on the younger (up and coming) deer. My observations from today are showing exactly that, much more even than the season prior.
Not today but last week. Cleared out a couple areas to put in a couple strategic “kill plots”. These are in heavy travel corridors that set up favorably for prevailing winds. Trying to move away from golden acorns and provide more natural attraction. I plan on doing the Nitro Boost and Carbon Load rotation from @at1010 Vitalize Seed. I’m also kicking around over seeding my main trail with a clover mix just to sweeten the pot. Some before and after pics…
First spot before
After
Second spot before
After
First spot before
After
Second spot before
After
at1010
*Supporting Member*
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- 172
Looks awesome man!!
we got some clover mixes out now. I do all my trails in it to help further add more food per deer!
at1010
*Supporting Member*
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The 1-2 Clover Bundle is available on the website!
15lbs of clover!!
13.5lbs of oats
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15lbs of clover!!
13.5lbs of oats
Free Shipping for under $150!!!
Kids and I played out back for a couple hours and got tasks 1 through 3 completed. I didn’t get as many honey locusts girdled as I wanted, but I got sick and tired of being jabbed by those God-forsaken trees. Two bedding areas where I completed some more hinge cutting look absolutely incredible. The willows that I hinge cut last winter responded very well, so I got a little more aggressive on those this time around. It was encouraging to see fresh tracks and beds within the one area from just last night. The snowfall we got yesterday revealed a ton of deer use on the property in the last 12-18 hours. I’m really looking forward to seeing the progress over the next 6 months.
Smawgunner2
Active Member
If you can’t beat um’, join um’. All my neighbors feed so what’s a guy to do?
The Vitalize premium clover+ is coming in nicely. I sewed the Nitro Boost in another location on 5/16 and these rains have been perfectly timed. I’ll check back in a couple weeks to check progress there.
Clover plot…
Nitro Boost location…
@at1010
Clover plot…
Nitro Boost location…
@at1010
at1010
*Supporting Member*
- 5,470
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Thanks for the amazing support man. Means so much!! I appreciate ya!
I'm as far behind as I've ever been at the farm due to weather and life not meshing well this spring. I did manage to get my clover mowed last weekend, then found time to spray one plot today before getting my plot screen in the ground. I'd have loved to have planted this a month ago, but I bet I got rained out of this 8-9 times. Snuck it in today and it should still get tall enough to be effective. I need someone to drill it for me next year so I don't have to till. Fingers crossed this was worth it!
I keep telling my wife I needed to buy a drill and special in this and CRP type work. Her seeing the kids work and operate equipment this weekend might settle in. I think we could really have something to offer people.
Spent 6 hours planting food plots yesterday for deer that may not be there by fall. Lots of seat time on the tractor to reflect on the impacts of this year's EHD outbreak. Even though I didn't smell or see anything dead, I couldn't help by feel like I was just going through the motions. And even if that's the case, I settled on the fact that I love going through the motions and nothing will change that, even a mass die off of the herd. I love the process more than the product.
Or maybe your food plots will provide exactly what the remaining deer need? Maybe draw in other deer to keep them alive? Who knows but glad you put them in if it is good for your head. We could all use more clearing of our minds.
I swapped two SD cards yesterday and attempted to make 4 cell cams work again. Mostly battery issues due to false triggers. Trimmed around the cameras. Replaced batteries. 3/4 are working again. The fourth I've been back and forth with tech support at Browning. It is taking pics to the SD card but no cellular transfer. I dunno. They keep making excuses. There were no issues until my credit card on file expired and I had to get them the updated card. Cameras were shut off for a morning until I updated. Never came back on for cellular.
It's a love hate relationship.
I swapped two SD cards yesterday and attempted to make 4 cell cams work again. Mostly battery issues due to false triggers. Trimmed around the cameras. Replaced batteries. 3/4 are working again. The fourth I've been back and forth with tech support at Browning. It is taking pics to the SD card but no cellular transfer. I dunno. They keep making excuses. There were no issues until my credit card on file expired and I had to get them the updated card. Cameras were shut off for a morning until I updated. Never came back on for cellular.
It's a love hate relationship.Had zero intention of doing anything deer until talking about deer at a pond party Saturday with a friend. So yesterday bought a crossbow target for my kid, mowed an opening to be able to hunt from a box blind, moved a box blind. It's tucked in mighty nice. I have to go tonight to remove a weed that's triggering camera. I swear they freaking grow overnight. Worked way more hours they id planned but it should be a good spot 200yrds from my back door.
Or, maybe Jesse is learning that some things are more for personal gain than the animals.
Some men have a higher need to provide than others. That providing helps us fall asleep at night knowing we did what we could. You sir, did what you could and should be able to sleep knowing you didnt give up when others would have.
Some men have a higher need to provide than others. That providing helps us fall asleep at night knowing we did what we could. You sir, did what you could and should be able to sleep knowing you didnt give up when others would have.
Love Phil's absolute irrepressible optimism. Always the bright side. It's his gift to us.Or maybe your food plots will provide exactly what the remaining deer need? Maybe draw in other deer to keep them alive? Who knows but glad you put them in if it is good for your head. We could all use more clearing of our minds.
I swapped two SD cards yesterday and attempted to make 4 cell cams work again. Mostly battery issues due to false triggers. Trimmed around the cameras. Replaced batteries. 3/4 are working again. The fourth I've been back and forth with tech support at Browning. It is taking pics to the SD card but no cellular transfer. I dunno. They keep making excuses. There were no issues until my credit card on file expired and I had to get them the updated card. Cameras were shut off for a morning until I updated. Never came back on for cellular.