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  1. BearCreek

    Planting switch Grass in a bottom with Reed Canary grass

    I would be concerned that the RCG will re invade with the next flood.
  2. BearCreek

    MOST COMMON POACHING METHODS???

    Besides obvious preventative measures such as screening along roads, I like to put out old broken trail cameras in conspicuous locations so would be trespassers know the area is monitored. Great use of the early model spypoints.
  3. BearCreek

    Multiflora rose/oriental bittersweet removal?

    I recently did another round of research on this issue and landed on basal bark spraying as the most effective/efficient method for eliminating both MFR and honeysuckle. I have personally used pulling, cut and spray, and foliar spraying methods in the past but will likely exclusively use this...
  4. BearCreek

    Cedar shingle oak hillside

    As others have said, start cutting. The benefit of south facing slopes, if I am not mistaken, is that they receive direct sunlight and are therefore warmer in winter (when warmth is beneficial). I would only leave scattered cedars that are positioned to block wind with low hanging branches.
  5. BearCreek

    Converting 160ac pasture to wildlife mecca

    As you are probably aware, your options for generating income are fairly limited on land that was exclusively pasture. You won't have the cropping history for the foreseeable future, but I like the idea of alfalfa, I would make sure that it will create the proper cropping history before...
  6. BearCreek

    Brush Honeysuckle

    I use the Harper cocktail for killing any and all woody species without translocation to nearby desirable woody species. Don't overspray or use with rain in forecast. Avoid getting it on ground if possible. The cocktail:
  7. BearCreek

    Neighbor Thinks I'm crazy

    I have similar ground and a similar situation. I will be planting a few acorns I gathered but I probably don't need to. If you have willows and pin oak around they will find a way in if you can keep the maple in check. SWO and Bur oak are other good choices. Shrubs: Button bush, Red Oshier...
  8. BearCreek

    Wooltimate, Berber, or Similar

    I wear First Lite furnace base layers(bottoms next to skin, some type of light baselayer underneath furnace top). If you sweat easily, wear a synthetic top under furnace. Next layer is fanatic hoody (could substitute First Lite origin jacket) nice to have built in face mask and hood that doesn't...
  9. BearCreek

    Improving monoculture of osage orange/hedge trees

    I would start with the removal of cool season grasses and invasives., maybe run a fire through it if you can. If you have the desired oak species nearby, they will start popping up everywhere. Introduce the species you want through seedlings or even mass plantings of acorn (I prefer the latter)...
  10. BearCreek

    Advice on cash rent lease language….

    I would recommend having an attorney draft a lease. As an attorney myself, that may seem like somewhat self-interested advice, but there are many provisions/restrictions/clauses that need to be considered. By having an attorney draft your lease you are also getting the added benefit of the...
  11. BearCreek

    #1 Overlooked Threat to Deer Managers….

    I wholeheartedly agree with the notion that traditional QDM practices pushes doe harvest way too broadly, at least on highly productive midwest farms. On my farm in west central Illinois at least half the does are without fawn and those with a fawn typically have only one fawn. I can only assume...
  12. BearCreek

    Alfalfa

    My vote is not to mix clover with alfalfa, certainly can, but clover likes to out-compete alfalfa over time, at least white clover. I fall seeded my alfalfa without a nurse crop but did blend with chicory. Very happy with results. Alfalfa has its own allelopathic properties so I wouldn't be...
  13. BearCreek

    Timber stand bedding

    I prioritize my trees as follows (My property is in west central Illinois and timber value really isn't a consideration for me.) High value to Low value: White Oak, Swamp White Oak, Bur Oak, Persimmon, Pin Oak, Mulberry, Red Oak, Black Oak, Cherry, Shingle Oak, Hedge, Sycamore, Elm, Hickory...
  14. BearCreek

    Mulberry Trees

    Underrated tree IMO when you factor in browse preference, growth rate, and the fact that they also produce fruit. I dislike that most of what we typically get is the non-native version, but on my farm they are heavily browsed. Their fruit is incredibly attractive to turkey and other species as...
  15. BearCreek

    Oak tree identification

    Bottom right appears to be a bur oak, but could be a swamp white. Sometimes the lower leaves look a lot different than mature upper leaves, but the deep lobes scream "bur." Other two are either red or black imo.
  16. BearCreek

    Double cropping food plots

    My tenant farmer plants me one acre of either soybeans or corn each year which I leave "standing" for the hunting season. I like to overseed this area with all my leftover seed that won't have a detrimental effect on the following year's crop. I tend to avoid cereal rye going into beans that...
  17. BearCreek

    Brassicas

    I planted my brassicas the last weekend of August in 2021 and they turned out great, will do so again this year. My blend consists mostly of varieties that have 60 day maturity dates. Plants like pasja hybrid and t-raptor grow extremely fast. However, deer on my place seem to favor radish (which...
  18. BearCreek

    Black locust removal

    You are on the right track. Have to you use herbicide with black locust. Be careful with translocation to nearby "good" trees if using something like Tordon. I have used the Craig Harper cocktail with good results and no translocation. Right now is actually a great time to foliar spray your...
  19. BearCreek

    Alfalfa

    My Experience with Alfalfa (Comprehensive) I think I'm in a position to answer my own question at this point (I don't mind talking to myself as it is). I planted equal parts multi-leaf and grazer varieties of alfalfa from Welters, per Welters recommendation for food plot purposes, on August 28...
  20. BearCreek

    BearCreek Habitat Plan

    With fall food plotting on the horizon I thought it might be a nice time for an update and some quick takeaways. Stand Work and Strategic Placement I try to hang stands in the off season but never seem to get around to it. I have a couple stands that are in such ideal locations that I don't...
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