After last fall’s deer hunting season I knew some radical changes needed to take place to certain areas in my hunting woods. What was once the most prime spot to hunt deer 20 years ago had become so overgrown and gnarly that I could hardly sneak into the area to my old stand. Moreover, if I hunted from the stand my chances of seeing a deer were greatly reduced by trees and brush that had gotten way out of control.
So, I decided it was time to do something a bit radical. Last fall I told my local excavator to put me on the list for some early spring bulldozing work. When he asked what he would be doing…I simply said creating shooting lanes in part of my woods and making a network of trails so I could start over.
Apparently he didn’t see the seriousness on my face when I gave him my explanation. He reiterated what I just said. “You mean, you want me to come into your woods to clear some brush just to improve your deer hunting?” “You got it,” I told him. I was willing to pay several hundred dollars for the services if that’s what it took to dramatically improve my deer hunting experience.
After all, I figure hunters routinely pay hundreds of dollars for new clothes, for new guns and for other “essentials” for the hunt. Why not do something to invest in the deer woods that, if now properly cared for, will pay big dividends for many years to come. Well, that’s sort of my take on the action, anyway.
Here’s a few pictures of what took place:
Essentially, a whole new trail system was created around a once popular hillside where the deer liked to roam. So, did the deer show up as planned? They sure did…in fact, only days later my trail cameras showed several dozen deer photos proving this will be a popular area once again come fall. Take a look:
Not to mention the turkeys….
I encourage you this spring get a bit radical, if necessary, to make improvements on the land where you deer hunt. I think you will see it is both money and time well spent. Incidentally, where all the ground was tore up by the bulldozer it has now been planted with various food plot mixes to get some favorable plant growth going in those areas.
2008 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.
Filed under: Fish/Wildlife Research and Management, Hunting
