bfletch7441 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) I've tried food plots, but I'm no farmer, and native habitat improvement seems to suit me better. We have 350 acres that is mostly what I call scrub oak land. Not a lot of mature trees, with a lot of 10-15' black oaks, but there are stands of good producing white oaks in a number of places. A lot of the place has a heavy canopy with very little native forage. It is rolling property, and pretty rocky. There is not a lot of open areas on the place, but there are a number of small openings, and 2-3 pastures of 5-10 ac. each spread throughout. After hunting here for 8 years, I've figured out that there is not a lot of deer frequenting my property, they're around, just not on my place, and I want to change that. My question is, what is the best way to improve the native forage? Also, can you give me an idea of a timeline I should expect? How long will it take to start seeing a change? Should I revisit the previous improvements every year, every 5-years, ...? I'm not opposed to farming, but there is some livestock running throughout the year, and a few cows or horses will level a been field in a matter of hours!!! I just think that native habitat improvements will be more beneficial in my situation. Any and all suggestions are very appreciated. Ben Edited March 11, 2009 by bfletch7441 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVdeerhunter Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Might need 2 look at timbering to open up for new grouth. I have 229 acres and it was open timber no thickets and not a lot of deer i timbered and it they might have been here but this year i've seen alot more deer and alot more bucks on my place this year and got my house about done with me money;). So id look in 2 it just try 2 find a good logger that u can trust and that will seed all the logging roads when they are done. My logger spent $3000.00 on a clover mix for the roads for the deer and turkey sayed he does it on every job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Try going in and fertilizing those white oaks and maybe some more of your oaks that produce well. As far as food plots, I understand what cattle can do with one. Been there, done that. However, would be beneficial to you to fence off a couple plots in my opinion. Whether it be a barbwire fence that you left permanently, or an electric fence that you could only run during season. Also, don't you have the option of running a feeder in OK? Maybe locate one centrally on the property and run you some kind of fence around it where the cattle can't get to it. If you can attract some deer to eating periodically at your feeder, then they will be around. Good idea on the timbering above, I just take it that you are leasing the property and won't be able to do what you want with it. I'd love to be able to do some on each of the properties I hunt, but that option isn't available. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Our property has very few oaks so I wanted to protect them similar to you. Just so happens one of my best buds is a WDNR Forest Ranger/Forester. His advice for oaks is to make sure they are taller than the surrounding canopy. You don't want them competing for canopy space, but undergrowth doesn't hurt them. His advice on fertilizer was that he considered it a waste. Your more shallowly rooted undergrowth will consume it before your deeply rooted oak will. An oak will get everything it needs from what is already in the ground. I recommend contacting a forester knowledgeable in your area. Well worth the money. It is easy to become penny wise and dollar foolish when it comes to habitat enhancement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Something I just thought about is water.... Do you have small ponds or ditches on the property? If not, maybe have a small pond dug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curdog Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 Im not a forester yet but I will be in another semester of school.... If I were you "managing for wildlife, not timber", I would simply clear-cut the scrub oak. Most likely the trees are growing to close together, therefore allowing no sunlight to hit the ground. Thus allowing no growth from the forest floor. Clear cut it.. This will turn into a deer heaven when all the new tender growth sprouts..Im not familiar with what trees you would want to plant back since its a diff area.....Ask all of us southern guys about clearcut hunting...Its great....just my 2cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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