Guest tarbaby Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 A place I hunt is just crop fields with a creek running through them. The creek has a few little feeder ditches that run into it as well. Most of the underbrush in the timber gets about 3-5ft tall and just gets thicker. I was wondering if anybody has ever tried burning out an area like this and what might happen when vegetation starts growing back. I know this sounds like good bedding area material but the truth is that the deer pretty much bed in random spot on this creek. They stick to a few areas but don't have specific bedding areas where they can be found all of the time. One of the main place I was thinking about was under about a dozen big oaks. My thinking has led me to believe that if I could clear out under them then maybe they would produce a little better. The deer don't really focus on these oak and I think it is because of the brushy stuff makes them hard to get to. What I really would like to have is burn what I can and maybe cut some of the smaller saplings out. Around these oak I'm wanting maybe just some grass to grow back short enough where it might look more attractive for the deer to find acorns. Anybody do this or have any suggestions??? Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber Have personally never burned in timber, but it can be done. Would expect that the new growth would be great for the wildlife, but I may be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber Burning may be an option but as a Volunteer Fireman I would strongly suggest you contact your local Dept. and have them nearby. This can get out of control fast. Be CAREFUL!!! Better safe than sorry. If you aren't totally sure of what you are doing I'd scrap the idea, use herbicides and cut what I could. Good Luck Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tarbaby Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber This isnt the like big timbers up in new york lynn. This is just a few hardwoods in a creek bottom surrounded by plowed up ag fields. But there is a good chance the fire dept will be there because I to am a volunteer. I think I'm just gonna cut what I can, including the smaller trees that arent particularly as good as oaks and walnuts for wildlife. thanks, jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber Just a random thought - is it fenced or could you throw up a hot wire easily? If so, you might consider putting some goats on it for a couple of months. Those are the best brush clearing machines around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest realtrhunter Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber I am a member of a fire crew that does prescribed burns for landowners and the state. If you burn the area you will most likely get a good herbacious layer to come up. They should serve as a natural food plot. You would want to do a slow back burn that would heat the brush and undesirable sapplings till they are killed. You would want the weater to be dry for several days to dry the leaves and vegitation out so it will burn better, unless you want to use a ton of fuel. Start your fire against the wind so that it wont take off on you. Black out the entire perimeter of the burn and then you can begain lighting off in the interior. To get your better acorn production I would spread some 10-10-10 fertilizer at the drip line of each tree. If you have any questions send me a message I would be glad to fill you in with any info I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tarbaby Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber Would there be anything I could try and plant in this area. I just want the vegetation to stay short so the deer can get to them easier. Is there some kind of short grass or clover. Or should I just leave it with what comes up naturally. Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Re: Burning underbrush in timber A couple mixes come to mind. Heartland Wildlife Institute's Forrested Trail Mix and Whitetail Institute's Secret Spot. These are designed for shaded areas. IE: 4 hours of sunlight per day. Some natural veg. might be OK, but if you are going to all this work why not plant something you know will be beneficial to the deer and will attract them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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