ruttin1
Full Member
Posts: 128
Likes: 201
Location: Shawano Co, WI
Zone: 4B
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Post by ruttin1 on May 4, 2022 18:55:50 GMT -6
Need some advice on how to proceed with my property. To summarize, I bought 33 acres in March, which is all wooded. There is a logging road running the length of the property. There is a trail that loops to the south part of the property and back to the main trail. There is a partial loop to the north as well that I wouldn’t mind completing. Property was select cut 2 years ago, so there are top and brush piles throughout the property. I have no equipment really and want to put in a couple food plots. Thought I’d do k around a little this year and get to k ow the property better, so whatever I accomplish this year, we’ll great! I raked a portion of the loop trail to put in a small 1/10 acre food plot last weekend. Took me about 6 hours of prep, etc to get that small plot in. I want to hire or rent equipment to smooth the trails and put in a couple 1/4 acre plots. I am in NW Shawano county so there are boulders everywhere. What do I need to skin the trails and put in a couple small plots. I’m thinking of hiring a dozer if the cost isn’t too prohibitive. Or I could rent a skid steer and do it myself. Would a skid steer do everything I need to do? Other options? Thanks for reading. It got long winded  |
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Post by Freeborn on May 4, 2022 19:53:27 GMT -6
I would start with the dozer as they can get more work done in 1/2 day as you could in a month. I would want to make certain the dozer guy does not remove all your top-soil so I'm not certain if this time of year is ideal.
If its best to wait until the ground is frozen for the dozer I would focus on smaller kill plots and save your energy for next years new plots.
If your place was cut 2 years ago your natural browse should be really good this year, seems like that coupled with strategic kill plots would carry you to next year.
For kill plots I would match the planting with the season and what you are going to kill with. I would have lush plots from September right to Frost. Brassica, clover, Grains/Wheat/Rye/Oats
If they are reasonably small you can drag seed in with a ATV/lawn mower and a drag/chain/post. Plant before a good rain and you should be good to go.
Good Luck!
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Post by smsmith on May 4, 2022 20:35:10 GMT -6
My place has plenty of boulders. All of the plots/forest openings here were done with chainsaws, atv, sprayers, cultipacker, lawn dethatcher, lawn aerator, riding mower, hand seeders and other hand tools.
I've got about an acre of wildflowers done the same way. A total of right around 3.5 acres of plots.
Had I been in a hurry and not interested in doing it all myself, my way, I would have hired a dozer.
Good luck.
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Post by Bwoods11 on May 4, 2022 20:43:25 GMT -6
Sounds like a fun project, good luck !!
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ruttin1
Full Member
Posts: 128
Likes: 201
Location: Shawano Co, WI
Zone: 4B
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Post by ruttin1 on May 4, 2022 20:57:27 GMT -6
My place has plenty of boulders. All of the plots/forest openings here were done with chainsaws, atv, sprayers, cultipacker, lawn dethatcher, lawn aerator, riding mower, hand seeders and other hand tools. I've got about an acre of wildflowers done the same way. A total of right around 3.5 acres of plots. Had I been in a hurry and not interested in doing it all myself, my way, I would have hired a dozer. Good luck. Yeah, I guess I’m torn that way. I enjoy the work I’ve done but doing everything with hand tools is going to be very slow. Maybe need to invest in a few things and take my time. Attractive thought of getting it all done fast though. Or, at 'East the big stuff done fast. |
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Post by Sandbur on May 5, 2022 3:58:09 GMT -6
I would not jump in with a bull dozer at this point. The bulldozer would make permanent changes that are hard to erase or correct.
You need a solid plan for the property and a few years of experience on deer flow to and from adjacent properties as well as hunting pressure. The deer flow also changes during the rut.
If you do not live on the property, be extremely cautious about opening and creating trails. Thick, and hard to access might be the best.
Have you identified a sanctuary on your property and how to access Deer flow in and out of that area with different winds?
If you bring a cat in, do you need a waterhole and where would you put it?
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Post by smsmith on May 5, 2022 5:34:42 GMT -6
I would not jump in with a bull dozer at this point. The bulldozer would make permanent changes that are hard to erase or correct. You need a solid plan for the property and a few years of experience on deer flow to and from adjacent properties as well as hunting pressure. The deer flow also changes during the rut. If you do not live on the property, be extremely cautious about opening and creating trails. Thick, and hard to access might be the best.Have you identified a sanctuary on your property and how to access Deer flow in and out of that area with different winds? If you bring a cat in, do you need a waterhole and where would you put it? This is a very good point |
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ruttin1
Full Member
Posts: 128
Likes: 201
Location: Shawano Co, WI
Zone: 4B
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Post by ruttin1 on May 5, 2022 8:25:19 GMT -6
I would not jump in with a bull dozer at this point. The bulldozer would make permanent changes that are hard to erase or correct. You need a solid plan for the property and a few years of experience on deer flow to and from adjacent properties as well as hunting pressure. The deer flow also changes during the rut. If you do not live on the property, be extremely cautious about opening and creating trails. Thick, and hard to access might be the best. Have you identified a sanctuary on your property and how to access Deer flow in and out of that area with different winds? If you bring a cat in, do you need a waterhole and where would you put it? Good points Sandbur. Yes I have identified a sanctuary. I have multiple cams up and have a pretty good idea on the deer flow, but you’re right it’s not fall, it’s not rut pattern. Working on the wind entries and what neighbor pressure is like. It doesn’t hurt to wait on some of this. It’s just hard to wait on some of this! |
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Post by smsmith on May 5, 2022 10:04:20 GMT -6
I would not jump in with a bull dozer at this point. The bulldozer would make permanent changes that are hard to erase or correct. You need a solid plan for the property and a few years of experience on deer flow to and from adjacent properties as well as hunting pressure. The deer flow also changes during the rut. If you do not live on the property, be extremely cautious about opening and creating trails. Thick, and hard to access might be the best. Have you identified a sanctuary on your property and how to access Deer flow in and out of that area with different winds? If you bring a cat in, do you need a waterhole and where would you put it? Good points Sandbur. Yes I have identified a sanctuary. I have multiple cams up and have a pretty good idea on the deer flow, but you’re right it’s not fall, it’s not rut pattern. Working on the wind entries and what neighbor pressure is like. It doesn’t hurt to wait on some of this. It’s just hard to wait on some of this! I'd wait to do anything major until you've hunted the place for a full season. |
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Post by Reagan on May 5, 2022 10:25:51 GMT -6
I’d wait.
First fall at my current place was 2018. I only hung some stands and ended up killing a buck on a different property. I didn’t hunt it much. I did no habitat that year and little the next.
Many of my original plans have held but many have also changed with a little hunting experience.
If you are young I’d wait 2 years before doing much.
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Post by Tooln on May 5, 2022 14:27:56 GMT -6
I'd learn and study the property for a couple of years. Get to know the DEER's trails and habits, then find your plot spot. For now if you have a spot or 2 that has any type of opening and gets some sun you could do a throw and grow no till plot.
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Post by batman on May 5, 2022 14:53:49 GMT -6
Learn where they bed on you and the neighbors. Learn what the neighbors do to influence deer activity. Study how your access points allow you to approach the deer activity. Plan your bed, feed and access around this knowledge. If you cant figure it out find somebody who can.
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ruttin1
Full Member
Posts: 128
Likes: 201
Location: Shawano Co, WI
Zone: 4B
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Post by ruttin1 on May 6, 2022 23:00:16 GMT -6
I appreciate all the input. I think I’ll wait to do anything major. As tough as that may be. While I’m no spring chicken (55), I hope to enjoy 15-20 years of the property. I feel pretty confident I know what the deer patterns are going to be, but until you go through a season and see how neighbors influence that movement I guess I can’t count on anything.
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Post by Sandbur on May 7, 2022 4:14:43 GMT -6
I appreciate all the input. I think I’ll wait to do anything major. As tough as that may be. While I’m no spring chicken (55), I hope to enjoy 15-20 years of the property. I feel pretty confident I know what the deer patterns are going to be, but until you go through a season and see how neighbors influence that movement I guess I can’t count on anything. . You also need to consider that neighbors can change, either different neighbors or different ways of hunting. A plan needs to try and guard against outside influences and changes. Enjoy the process and don’t rush into it all at once. |
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Post by wklman on May 7, 2022 8:14:30 GMT -6
I appreciate all the input. I think I’ll wait to do anything major. As tough as that may be. While I’m no spring chicken (55), I hope to enjoy 15-20 years of the property. I feel pretty confident I know what the deer patterns are going to be, but until you go through a season and see how neighbors influence that movement I guess I can’t count on anything. I hate to say it, but don't tell your neighbors if you shoot a nice buck, lol. You'll have a stand on every fence line if you do. Ask me how I know. |
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