Property Improvement Question

[180class]

Ok, this is something that is still in the workings and may not even happen. But my family may be purchasing this property. It is a total of 18 acres. 8 of which is a large pasture area with some timbered fence lines. The other 10 consist of the house, out-buildings and 1 acre pond. As you can see, there isn't much timber that comes with this property, but the entire parcel neighbors a huge chunk of timber to the North and East. So, I'm asking, what would you guys do to better this property and to draw the deer from the larger chunk of timber? There is a river about 1/4 mile to the North of here and crop fields to the South. I was thinking I would plant the pasture area in some type of clover mix and plant cedar trees around the perimeter to add a border from the road on the West. Also, right now the pasture area is full of turkey in the spring time. So, keep in mind whatever I decide to do with the pasture, I want the turkey to continue to use it as a strut zone. So let me know what you all think.

 

[dbltree]

Sounds like your on the right track with clover and Red Cedars.

I think I would even devote several acres in a red cedar bedding area and keep several acres for your clover/strut area.

Pick odd areas to consider planting fruit trees and/or hybrid oaks that will draw deer from larger tracts next door.

Make sure you create some "safe" travel areas with your plantings where they feel protected as the move across your property.

You have the option of dividing the pasture with tree plantings and creating several smaller plots rather then one big one. Just keeps them moving around more "grass is greener"...over there type thing.

You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish even on a smaller acreage and have a lot of fun doing it. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Sligh1]

Give them THICK NASTY bedding with a chainsaw, switchgrass, cedars.
I'd be FOR SURE be planting apple and pear trees. that's a draw that will pull them in from all over! I also think you're right on with the clover. I'd try and make 3-4 acres devoted to a buffet of food while planting cover for them to feed in peace and cover strips for you to sneak in and out.

Basically, with smaller tracts, you're trying to PULL DEER with strategy & just as important you are trying to hunt them VERY CAREFULLY so stuff like strips of switchgrass and trees for getting in and out AND spreading your food plot locations and dividing them as much as possible is critical- one guy could "ruin" an 18 acre piece in a matter of a couple hunts IF they were really doing things wrong. Lots of info out there and guys on here to give you more advice on making smaller tracts as good as possible. *your water source on there won't hurt either! Sounds like your making some wise moves, good luck!

 

[bowhuntr311]

Smaller tract right on a road. You need SECURITY COVER. Definatly go for heavy red ceders around the permiter to start. Switch grass may be a good quicker screen.

If you can divide your area that sounds like a great idea aswell. If you assume deer are traveling from the timber to the crops(after dark) and you can create a staging foodplot you may have deer in your lap before dark if there is something there they want and they feel safe on yours. Bad part about that, if you put something in there they want bad enough they may clean you out and not come back.

Good luck.

Dean

 

[Sligh1]

Above is a great suggestion, for road cover (i'd for sure do this!!!!) I actually spent a $1,000 for my buddy to bulldoze a burm BUT that's probably an overkill. There's a few options that were mentioned and some that weren't:
-red cedars
-Autumn olive by ROAD only SO they didn't spread and you could kill later if you wanted (also plant with other stuff that will grow slower)
-CIR switch OR you could do the Miscanthus like in the other threads, I'd really consider that for road frontage only.
I am doing some road coverage with about 12 rows deep- only on areas that are poor crop areas so I don't care about taking up land PLUS NRCS will fund it- I'd do a variety of stuff. Let them feed in peace!!!

 

[whitetailnut]

IMO build cover/bedding area, or travel corridor, the whole state of Iowa is a giant food plot.