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Post by Reagan on Jun 2, 2020 11:22:27 GMT -6
I get scrapes and buck pics on trails that I can drive my UTV on. In 2 seasons I still haven’t killed one on a trail.
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Post by Catscratch on Jun 2, 2020 12:44:54 GMT -6
I see bucks use the bigger trails and I get lots of pics of bucks on the big trails, but my personal observations is that often the big trail was scent checked from a small (parallel) downwind trail before the big guy committed to the path more traveled. It's one of the reasons I seldom put a trail camera out where I hunt... I have found the data can be misleading for myself. I just don't see the bucks I want to see when I camp out on deer highways. I presume that I was getting busted while on stand and never knew it.
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Post by jbird on Jun 2, 2020 16:49:04 GMT -6
I mow trails for me and the deer. I mow some for me just to get around and others specifically for the deer - path of least resistance sort of thing. The trails see mostly doe use but I don't hold many bucks as it is and when the time comes....the bucks don't care. I don't see the trails as being much of a food source for hunting.....but I have added some seed in key spots before just to take advantage of a deer was to stop. I like to keep old logging trails in the woods open enough for deer traffic as it can be a way to steer them where you can maybe take advantage. I love hanging cut grape vines over trails in late summer for cams. Bucks start cruising and can't seem to pass up a good licking branch and you can easily see how much difference 100 yards makes in a good spot and a worthless spot. When I rake a path for quiet stand access I find deer tracks in them as well....aggravating.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Oct 23, 2020 12:11:33 GMT -6
Do you guys cut down trees/blockade to force deer by your stand(s)?
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Post by Sandbur on Oct 23, 2020 12:36:09 GMT -6
Do you guys cut down trees/blockade to force deer by your stand(s)? Yes. Several mature red cedar make a great blockade.
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Post by smsmith on Oct 23, 2020 12:37:34 GMT -6
Do you guys cut down trees/blockade to force deer by your stand(s)? Yup
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Post by Bwoods11 on Oct 23, 2020 13:21:26 GMT -6
We found an ideal spot for this in Iowa. A deep draw cuts up a ridge and one or two trees, cut would bring deer to within 20 yds of a key stand. Good idea on the cedars Art... never thought of that ... and they are close.
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Post by Sandbur on Oct 23, 2020 13:21:50 GMT -6
Please correct me if your opinion differs, but I don’t like to force them down too tight. It also works best in an area they like to travel anyway.
By too tight, I wouldn’t force them to a three foot wide opening. I tend to like a thirty yard wide opening with a specific 2.5 foot trail cleared of brush to encourage movement on that path. Not forced only to the 2-3 foot path.
Stu and Brooks, thoughts?
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Post by jbird on Oct 23, 2020 13:38:12 GMT -6
I agree with the "not too tight". 30 yards or so should do the trick. Otherwise the deer run through the opening or will not use it at all. The thing I found with "blocking" is that you have to block their view. If you use a tree top that they can see thru they will jump it or snake thru it. Using conifers or something dense enough to obstruct the view works best. I have even seen folks use snow fence before. The only time I like a narrow trail is if you have hinged a lot or even clear cut and need to make a deer trail...then a 3 or 4 foot wide trail will work but otherwise...something more natural seems to work better. You can open it up more than 30 yards if your a gun hunter as well....all depends on what you need.
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Post by batman on Oct 23, 2020 13:38:48 GMT -6
Just did a 400 acre plan for a guy in Virginia who cant cut trees where he is going to efence the cattle out of a about 1.5 acres of a pasture to leave an old growth trail 40 feet wide with a mowed trail to connect 2 blocks of timber. Food plot and enclosed blind accessed through the pasture.
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Post by sd51555 on Oct 23, 2020 13:49:35 GMT -6
Do you guys cut down trees/blockade to force deer by your stand(s)? Used to. They rot down too fast (not big enough trees). Then I moved the food to where I wanted them to go. That helps, but they still get off script from time to time. Someday I'll get around to putting up my steer a deer. Too many other projects ahead of it though.
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Post by Tooln on Oct 24, 2020 6:12:12 GMT -6
When I opened up the plot on my 40 I made entry and exits points. Using stumps and hinge cuts. It worked.
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Post by Sandbur on Oct 24, 2020 6:49:07 GMT -6
Do you guys cut down trees/blockade to force deer by your stand(s)? Used to. They rot down too fast (not big enough trees). Then I moved the food to where I wanted them to go. That helps, but they still get off script from time to time. Someday I'll get around to putting up my steer a deer. Too many other projects ahead of it though. . I know you don’t have red cedars in the northwoods, but when limbs hold the fallen trees off of the ground, they last a long time. This might help Bwoods out in Iowa.
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Post by smsmith on Jun 3, 2022 13:39:04 GMT -6
Did a search for trails and this old thread popped up.
I mowed a bunch of trails today. Bumped a doe and saw a few fawn beds. Thankfully didn't see any fawns while mowing. I sure do like the look of a mowed trail. All of the trails I mowed are also heavy deer trails, they have the grass beat down to the dirt. I don't think deer mind my mowing at all.
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Post by biglakebass on Jun 3, 2022 13:52:21 GMT -6
I like the manicured trails too
Deer use them plenty
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