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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 26, 2018 10:47:55 GMT -6
I have some very thick areas--too thick--of red cedar on my new farm in Iowa. Some work has been done by the previous owner to clear trails/openings, one nice food plot...however much more is needed. What would be some options for a thick cedar stand? I am going to take maybe 3-5 acres at a time? Local guys mentioned trimming the lower branches in areas, so deer can move easier, but any other tips?
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Post by benmnwi on Mar 26, 2018 11:42:44 GMT -6
How about using a forestry mulcher or something similar to grub out a bunch of pockets so you could have grassy pockets scattered in the cedars? I'm guessing there are still some native grass seeds in the soil there that would pop once some sun hits the dirt. Cedar or conifer areas mixed with native grasses and weeds always seem to be good bedding areas if that's what you are looking for.
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Post by wiscwhip on Mar 26, 2018 11:55:42 GMT -6
How about using a forestry mulcher or something similar to grub out a bunch of pockets so you could have grassy pockets scattered in the cedars? I'm guessing there are still some native grass seeds in the soil there that would pop once some sun hits the dirt. Cedar or conifer areas mixed with native grasses and weeds always seem to be good bedding areas if that's what you are looking for. This ^^^^ and then connect those openings with narrow "sidewalks" inside the cedar stands to move the deer to areas where they are huntable. I would not just open up large areas of the lower branches, it would allow too much random movement within the cedars, IMO. Those thick lower branches are an effective blockade if left in place and could easily direct movement to feeding areas and past stand sites.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 26, 2018 12:12:16 GMT -6
Great idea guys, I think that would be a great plan.
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 27, 2018 5:13:24 GMT -6
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 27, 2018 7:39:52 GMT -6
I have a few places where I just dropped the cedars to create cover. In reality, these have become blockades. Limbs hold the cedars off of the ground and they do not rot for years.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 27, 2018 7:42:58 GMT -6
Sandbur--actually it did get cold down there this year, and they had more snow than we did this year!
Thanks, good points. I am not complaining, just looking for some diversity.
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 27, 2018 12:14:22 GMT -6
Sandbur--actually it did get cold down there this year, and they had more snow than we did this year! Thanks, good points. I am not complaining, just looking for some diversity. My diversity in the middle of the woods is a few but oaks, lots of cedars, and buckthorn. A fellow whitetail nut says he has the same for his sanctuary. Bwoods you are welcome to come over for a walk through someday.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 27, 2018 13:27:07 GMT -6
Art--I would like to do that sometime!
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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 28, 2018 9:18:08 GMT -6
One of these years, I will probably cut some good sized cedar down and have it milled...anyone tried that in the past? It really is nice looking wood.
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 28, 2018 19:41:50 GMT -6
One of these years, I will probably cut some good sized cedar down and have it milled...anyone tried that in the past? It really is nice looking wood. The previous owner of my place had that done. I found some birdhouses made from the cedars and gave them to family members.
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Post by batman on Mar 28, 2018 19:47:53 GMT -6
28 inch trails for deer. No bigger unless you have 30 inch wide bucks.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 29, 2018 8:45:26 GMT -6
Talked to the neighbor in Iowa and he mentioned that his cedars (blocks) are great spots for late summer bucks to get away from the heat. Stays cooler in the cedars and fewer bugs he said.
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Post by wiscwhip on Mar 29, 2018 12:12:44 GMT -6
I was doing some more thinking on the use of the forestry mulcher to clear these areas. It might be better(but a ton more work) to do the openings by hand so you can manipulate the bedding areas by using the downed cedars as backdrops/overhead cover and you could drop them in such a way as to provide multiple "beds" within the opening for small family groups of does, and even create smaller, single "buck bed" openings in between the larger openings in the thickest areas. We all know if the does are there during the rut, the big boys will be snooping around. The mulcher option sounds great and would be super easy, but it would limit your options and the trees you drop would be essentially useless, whereas if you cut them by hand they could be put to use for something other than wood chips.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Mar 29, 2018 12:20:34 GMT -6
I was doing some more thinking on the use of the forestry mulcher to clear these areas. It might be better(but a ton more work) to do the openings by hand so you can manipulate the bedding areas by using the downed cedars as backdrops/overhead cover and you could drop them in such a way as to provide multiple "beds" within the opening for small family groups of does, and even create smaller, single "buck bed" openings in between the larger openings in the thickest areas. We all know if the does are there during the rut, the big boys will be snooping around. The mulcher option sounds great and would be super easy, but it would limit your options and the trees you drop would be essentially useless, whereas if you cut them by hand they could be put to use for something other than wood chips. Good point, I think I should just take it a few acres at a time...trim or cut where needed. Tip a few. Excuse to get some buddies with a chainsaw to come down, and then drink beer after!!
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