Deer land management

[K9kodi]

Maybe this is place for this convo, maybe not. Soon to find out.

I have a healthy chunk of land, well taken care of, in central va. The piedmont as some call it.

Roughly 800 acres, a small portion of it is cowed pasture and fence, large area of select cut where pines were removed and hardwoods left. It’s at the point now some grasses and undergrowth are coming in thick. , a large section maybe 100 acres of straight 3 year old clear cut where it’s a bramble bush and blackberry haven, you are not walkin through it. There is a logging road through it though.

The rest is a mix of mature hard woods and pine timber stands, some thick stuff as well and it’s boarded by a big ass lake.

I’ve got zero agriculture around me. I wanna do 3 separate food plots maybe 1/2 acre to 1 each of soybean and maybe seed the trails going through the property in certain areas with clover. There is plenty of fresh flowing water going to the lake.

I’m stumped on what kind of seed, should I go with ag soybean or bean bearing soy. I think I’m better off purchasing actual soy beans vs a deer seed via a food plot company. Same w clover.

Is anyone around there with experience doing this stuff as i never have, but I got the tractor, implements and physical aptitude. I am sure I could figure it out, but I’m also at the age of doing things my way cause I know best gets expensive.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Since you already have hardwoods, you have food.

So, I’d start by carving some paths through the blackberries. I’d stop after carving some paths through the blackberries.

If I planted anything, it would be sunflowers. Deer eat the heck out of them and they are pretty.

 

[Skerhunter]

What is your actual goal of this property?

Just general improvements or do you want to hold/shoot mature bucks. I say that because it sounds like you already have good food/water sources and a good mix of habitat. Spending money on improving bedding and setting up good access might be time/money well spent vs adding some food plots.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

While soybeans are great, the deer would blow through them with that small amount planted just as soon as they sprout.

We planted awnless wheat, crimson and arrowleaf clover this year for our fall plots and the deer are enjoying it. The deer will eat the awnless wheat heads in the Spring better apposed to traditional awned wheat.

But yeah, you'll be pissed if you do that small amount of acreage in beans.

With that amount of acreage, you could do more food plots at that 1/2 to 1 acre size. I'd do it close to the real thick areas and planted pines aka bedding.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Check out habitat-talk.com.

Everything your looking for in one place.
Lived on that site for awhile.

 

[K9kodi]

Check out habitat-talk.com.

Everything your looking for in one place.
Lived on that site for awhile.

Perfect, that’s what I was looking for.

 

[K9kodi]

While soybeans are great, the deer would blow through them with that small amount planted just as soon as they sprout.

We planted awnless wheat, crimson and arrowleaf clover this year for our fall plots and the deer are enjoying it. The deer will eat the awnless wheat heads in the Spring better apposed to traditional awned wheat.

But yeah, you'll be pissed if you do that small amount of acreage in beans.

With that amount of acreage, you could do more food plots at that 1/2 to 1 acre size. I'd do it close to the real thick areas and planted pines aka bedding.

I would plant soybeans and fence it in w electric fence. I can run a stand alone energizer or tap off of the current cattle fence for a small enough area.

 

[K9kodi]

What is your actual goal of this property?

Just general improvements or do you want to hold/shoot mature bucks. I say that because it sounds like you already have good food/water sources and a good mix of habitat. Spending money on improving bedding and setting up good access might be time/money well spent vs adding some food plots.

I can’t disagree w you. I feel like what’s there is good, but we lack any real ag. Acorns are def source of energy but lack protein. The pine stands are pretty damn thick and one large stand is infiltrated with briars and brush that you won’t be walking through. Boarded by by an old logging road. I ask questions cause I don’t have answers, but I feel like what’s there is good, but lacks ag. As far as shooting big mature bucks, they are there. Last season and this years season were first two seasons in maybe 25-30 years that it’s been hunted. I’ve passed on a lot of young bucks and try not to shoot anythhht under 3-4 years ols

 

[K9kodi]

Since you already have hardwoods, you have food.

So, I’d start by carving some paths through the blackberries. I’d stop after carving some paths through the blackberries.

If I planted anything, it would be sunflowers. Deer eat the heck out of them and they are pretty.

Sunflowers, don’t turkey love those too?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Sunflowers, don’t turkey love those too?

Yes, all birds do.

 

[K9kodi]

Shits yea

 

[Fogalo]

Guy, you’re thinking way too small. If you get the equipment to do three acres, just do 15 or more.

Now I’m in the Midwest so there is some bias here, but, I can tell you food = deer. Not only that but food plot design gives you access corridors to slip in and out.

5 acres is a good starting point for one feeder plot.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Again, regardless of hot wiring a fence, 3 acres of beans is toast and you'll be disappointed. We have 1000 acres. 13 food plots ranging from 1/4 acre to 3 acres. And our property is roughly 90-100 acres of field, the rest hardwood and pine plantation. Sure, plant the beans in May, but they won't make a lick of difference for very long. Many folks do Spring and Fall plots to help regenerate the soil and mitigate weeds. Look at Grant Woods' Growing Deer website, along with NDA's website. Tons of information there.

The summer between 1st and 2nd years of vet school, I planted 5 acres in round-up ready, regenerative beans, thinking surely that a larger chunk of beans would make it. Nope, gone within a week.

An alternative to beans which will work great, has similar protein content, drought resistant and the deer wont mess with till it heads out and matures is milo/grain sorghum. Excellent protein (roughly 20%) and the deer wont mess with till the heads have dried out. Good for a screen too on the borders of a fall food plot mix. Beneficial for all wildlife and not as expensive as sunflowers. Can drill it, broadcast it, whatever you want.

I think you've got enough cover/bedding, as they're in your pines and pine thickets. I wouldn't mess with that unless it's time to harvest the pines. Acorns are a great attractant and traditional food source, but have similar nutritional content to corn. Pure carbs.

You could diversify your acorn producing oaks though. Different red/white varieties. I'm currently cultivating 100+ swamp chestnut oak acorns that a neighbor's tree is raining. Wish I realized the tree was there and what it was 10 years ago. Giant white oak acorn and preferred by deer

 

[Scottf270]

Don't take this as a liberal comment...lol, but diversity is your strength. Sounds like you have a unique mix to start with. Making a plan is smart. You may even need some professional type help to perfect your plan.

Edges and transition areas are what your after. Timber stand improvement, thinning, hinge cutting , sanctuary areas, etc are options. I think the earlier comment of bigger plots is valid. They will destroy small bean plots quickly.

Trails and access corridors are a great idea. Small kill plots around hunting season are another item. Trails planted through woods are great till the leaves fall and snuff the browse out.

Sounds like you have a great place to start. Good luck in your journey.

 

[Jon C]

I’d cut trails thru clear cut fairly wide for shooting lanes/travel corridors same with pines. Then I’d clear for the food plots. I’d try L shaped and hourglass ones. I’d start with buck wheat and feed/spring oats and clover in the spring mow them for fall and overseed winter rye and rapeseed. Get a soil sample right away and start correcting soil. Reevaluate the next year on what to plant but you helped out the first year with that planting. Chainsaw and brush hog is your friend. Deer love the new growth. Trails if you want to seed I’d use a pasture mix with lots of clover. Feed store will get you going.

 

[K9kodi]

Perfect thanks for all the input. I’m putting together a plan and will def use some of the pointers. I’ve hunted all my life but never on a tract this big boarded by private land also owned by the family consisting of another 1800 with no hunting. I wanna do this right, never had an opportunity to do this kind of work

 

[K9kodi]

Don't take this as a liberal comment...lol, but diversity is your strength. Sounds like you have a unique mix to start with. Making a plan is smart. You may even need some professional type help to perfect your plan.

Edges and transition areas are what your after. Timber stand improvement, thinning, hinge cutting , sanctuary areas, etc are options. I think the earlier comment of bigger plots is valid. They will destroy small bean plots quickly.

Trails and access corridors are a great idea. Small kill plots around hunting season are another item. Trails planted through woods are great till the leaves fall and snuff the browse out.

Sounds like you have a great place to start. Good luck in your journey.

I don’t take offense to it.
This land has a ton of diversity, waterfront, transitions, pasture, mature hard woods, creek bottoms, cut overs, thinned hard woods, pure cutover, I think my first plan of attack is sections of the pine thickets, maybe thin some . They are tight. Zero indergrowth

 

[K9kodi]

Again, regardless of hot wiring a fence, 3 acres of beans is toast and you'll be disappointed. We have 1000 acres. 13 food plots ranging from 1/4 acre to 3 acres. And our property is roughly 90-100 acres of field, the rest hardwood and pine plantation. Sure, plant the beans in May, but they won't make a lick of difference for very long. Many folks do Spring and Fall plots to help regenerate the soil and mitigate weeds. Look at Grant Woods' Growing Deer website, along with NDA's website. Tons of information there.

The summer between 1st and 2nd years of vet school, I planted 5 acres in round-up ready, regenerative beans, thinking surely that a larger chunk of beans would make it. Nope, gone within a week.

An alternative to beans which will work great, has similar protein content, drought resistant and the deer wont mess with till it heads out and matures is milo/grain sorghum. Excellent protein (roughly 20%) and the deer wont mess with till the heads have dried out. Good for a screen too on the borders of a fall food plot mix. Beneficial for all wildlife and not as expensive as sunflowers. Can drill it, broadcast it, whatever you want.

I think you've got enough cover/bedding, as they're in your pines and pine thickets. I wouldn't mess with that unless it's time to harvest the pines. Acorns are a great attractant and traditional food source, but have similar nutritional content to corn. Pure carbs.

You could diversify your acorn producing oaks though. Different red/white varieties. I'm currently cultivating 100+ swamp chestnut oak acorns that a neighbor's tree is raining. Wish I realized the tree was there and what it was 10 years ago. Giant white oak acorn and preferred by deer

Are you saying that even if a fence keeps deer out, when it’s removed that stuff will
Be gone so fast.

That is a good point.

Are you saying mix sorghum / Milo and a brassica,
Is sorghum regenerative on its own?

 

[ArrowForester]

A couple good pieces of advice above. Definitely start with a plan but stay open to flexing it as you go.
Also, remember the big picture of the property and the future. Focusing on habitat improvement is great but can be costly, both expensive now and opportunity cost into the future. Everything you do for habitat impacts current and future forest values in some way. And everything you do for forest value impacts your habitat and habitat potential. There are no really bad decisions if they are informed and help you meet your property goals.
That balance is the most important part that I try and get my clients to understand.
Where are you located in VA?

 

[K9kodi]

The family isn’t worried about tree value. The focus is enjoying the land and making it as happy and natural as possible to be the best piece of land it can be. It’s not relied on for any income and is there to enjoy