Land Management

Deer season is getting close.  By now your mineral stations should be established, and food plots should be established or being seeded (depending on the plot).  Besides mineral stations and food plots, there are a few finishing touches you can put on your hunting property to make it successful.

Mowing

Mowing trails can make a big difference in how deer move throughout your property.  I mow many trails around the timber edge and even in the timber.  Deer will take the path of least resistence just like a human, so if you can make a path that is easy to access and walk on deer will take it.  These paths are good locations to place a treestand.

Mowing trails

Mowing trails not only allow deer to travel more freely through your property, but also can provide easier access to stand locations.  Walking through head-high grass is never fun so a clear, easy path to a stand is much more desireable.  In the picture above, I am mowing a trail from one of the property entry points so I can walk around the property easier this fall.

Timber Stand Improvement

Clearing an area of timber is a good way to improve your hunting property.  The entire area does not have to be cleared, but getting rid of a few trees in an area allows the vegatation on the timber floor to grow, creating bedding areas for deer.

After


The picture above illustrates timber stand improvement.  All of the good, straight trees are left and the rest of the knarled up, smaller scrub trees are removed. 

My favorite outdoor writer Bill Winke has done a few blogs and videos on timber stand improvement.  Click here to view a video on timber stand improvement. 

Also, if you have not seen or heard of Midwest Whitetail; check it out.  Bill's show is awesome and him and his crew do a great job of bringing great hunts, as well as hunting and shooting tips and tricks.

Get ready for next week's blog.  The blog will be similar to the trail camera blog, but focus on treestands.  What treestands are out there, how to setup, and what I recommend.

Muddyhunter