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J Becker
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Opinions on Trails *DELETED*
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JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
Re: Opinions on Trails
No experience with ATV, but when we bought our farm there was a snowmobile trail across it. I was told that there were certain individuals who liked to poach from the snowmobiles late at night and that once on the property, they did not stick to the trails. When I got the call from the group who maintained the trail asking if they could continue, I shut it down. Another case of one or two individuals spoiling it for everyone.
No experience with ATV, but when we bought our farm there was a snowmobile trail across it. I was told that there were certain individuals who liked to poach from the snowmobiles late at night and that once on the property, they did not stick to the trails. When I got the call from the group who maintained the trail asking if they could continue, I shut it down. Another case of one or two individuals spoiling it for everyone.
Daver
PMA Member
Re: Opinions on Trails
My limited experience in this area is that this will suppress your mature deer activity. Several years ago I hunted a property that was always good for deer and turkey, before it suddenly went "cold" one year. That happened to be the year that the local kid got a four wheeler. He rode it everywhere, even where he didn't have permission to be. The suppressed hunting went on a few years and then the kid left for the Army. Guess what, the deer and turkey hunting went right back to how it had been pre-4 wheeler. Now I don't think an occasional pass through an area on 4 wheeler wrecks it, but constant activity in an area will affect it IMO.
My limited experience in this area is that this will suppress your mature deer activity. Several years ago I hunted a property that was always good for deer and turkey, before it suddenly went "cold" one year. That happened to be the year that the local kid got a four wheeler. He rode it everywhere, even where he didn't have permission to be. The suppressed hunting went on a few years and then the kid left for the Army. Guess what, the deer and turkey hunting went right back to how it had been pre-4 wheeler. Now I don't think an occasional pass through an area on 4 wheeler wrecks it, but constant activity in an area will affect it IMO.
Skully
PMA Member
Re: Opinions on Trails
Most of the mature deer I see during the rut on my property are usually just passing through. Alot of the does get used to my routine,"setting out my camera and dumping mineral" and they don't seem too worried about me cruising through. I bought my farm to enjoy on many levels and ATV riding happens to be something my whole family enjoys. I do lay off the main trails around the end of September to let things quiet down in time for the archery opener.
Most of the mature deer I see during the rut on my property are usually just passing through. Alot of the does get used to my routine,"setting out my camera and dumping mineral" and they don't seem too worried about me cruising through. I bought my farm to enjoy on many levels and ATV riding happens to be something my whole family enjoys. I do lay off the main trails around the end of September to let things quiet down in time for the archery opener.
Re: Opinions on Trails
I think trails are a great thing. The property I hunt has several mowed trails through the timber and the deer use them religously. There isn't a lot of pressure during the rest of the year on these trails...some camping and fishing access on weekends and a pass with the tractor every few weeks to keep the grass and weeds knocked down.
We cut firewodd from a new section last year that had never had a trail on it. A week after we went through with the saws the deer sign was ridiculous.
If you have the gumption to cut a path I say go for it. I also like to cut a direct path off the main trail to access my stand from the truck. Nothing too wide, but easy enough for walking in quietly and keeping my scent of the main path.
I think trails are a great thing. The property I hunt has several mowed trails through the timber and the deer use them religously. There isn't a lot of pressure during the rest of the year on these trails...some camping and fishing access on weekends and a pass with the tractor every few weeks to keep the grass and weeds knocked down.
We cut firewodd from a new section last year that had never had a trail on it. A week after we went through with the saws the deer sign was ridiculous.
If you have the gumption to cut a path I say go for it. I also like to cut a direct path off the main trail to access my stand from the truck. Nothing too wide, but easy enough for walking in quietly and keeping my scent of the main path.
Re: Opinions on Trails
IMO Deer are like electricity, they take the path of least resistance if they arent in a hurry to get away from something. Mowing trails greatly affected deer movement in my little timber. It is amazing how much effect a little branch cut here and a path mowed there will turn their trails.
IMO Deer are like electricity, they take the path of least resistance if they arent in a hurry to get away from something. Mowing trails greatly affected deer movement in my little timber. It is amazing how much effect a little branch cut here and a path mowed there will turn their trails.
jkratz5
Well-Known Member
Re: Opinions on Trails
I think the trails themselves are great, deer and especially turkeys love cleared areas in the timber, however if you are talking serious ATV traffic on the trails, like everytime you go hunting I would say you are going to hurt the deer hunting. I would say keep off the trails come late August and use them only as needed during the deer season (dragging deer out, partial drives down them and then walk the rest of the way, etc.).
I think the trails themselves are great, deer and especially turkeys love cleared areas in the timber, however if you are talking serious ATV traffic on the trails, like everytime you go hunting I would say you are going to hurt the deer hunting. I would say keep off the trails come late August and use them only as needed during the deer season (dragging deer out, partial drives down them and then walk the rest of the way, etc.).
Re: Opinions on Trails
I was hunting on a farm near Red Oak last year that I was granted permission on. There was a ATV trail through the property that was obviusly used often, but there seemed to be good buck sign. It was opening weekend of archery. We were walking to where we were planning to hang our stands for the evening hunt when we heard a couple ATV's coming. I saw a deer get up and start running our way, soon several deer came flieing past. The ATV's certainly seemed to bother them even though ATV's were useing the property regularly. We did see some good movement on that property from older bucks, but only in an area where the ATV trail didn't go, dispite hunting the whole property.
I was hunting on a farm near Red Oak last year that I was granted permission on. There was a ATV trail through the property that was obviusly used often, but there seemed to be good buck sign. It was opening weekend of archery. We were walking to where we were planning to hang our stands for the evening hunt when we heard a couple ATV's coming. I saw a deer get up and start running our way, soon several deer came flieing past. The ATV's certainly seemed to bother them even though ATV's were useing the property regularly. We did see some good movement on that property from older bucks, but only in an area where the ATV trail didn't go, dispite hunting the whole property.
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
Re: Opinions on Trails
Hunterman,
I guess I might have jumped to conclusions on who will have access/use of the trail. Is it going to be private or public? I think if it is private, has controlled use, it could be a plus for hunting as some people have commented. Deer will use the trail as well. If it is well groomed and kept clear of leaf litter, it could allow a quiet approach to a stand. Personally, I don't think I will ever be comfortable with the idea of driving right up to the stand though....
If it's going to be a motorcross version of Daytona, I see no upside.
Hunterman,
I guess I might have jumped to conclusions on who will have access/use of the trail. Is it going to be private or public? I think if it is private, has controlled use, it could be a plus for hunting as some people have commented. Deer will use the trail as well. If it is well groomed and kept clear of leaf litter, it could allow a quiet approach to a stand. Personally, I don't think I will ever be comfortable with the idea of driving right up to the stand though....
If it's going to be a motorcross version of Daytona, I see no upside.
J
J Becker
Guest
Re: Opinions on Trails
It will be a trail right smack in the middle of our 50 acres of woods on a 240 acre farm. It will be private except for the neighbors when we are not down there to stop them
. I personally think mature deer will steer clear.
HunterMan
![157RAtinybuck-thumb[1].gif](http://www.iowawhitetail.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/157RAtinybuck-thumb[1].gif)
It will be a trail right smack in the middle of our 50 acres of woods on a 240 acre farm. It will be private except for the neighbors when we are not down there to stop them
HunterMan