Creating A Whitetail Sanctuary - Part 1 - Preparation

[@Mike-nt1to]

Great idea to mark existing trails ahead of cutting . Thanks for sharing.

[@whitetailevolution]

I have to do it. If I don't, I'll completely lose track of where I wanted a trail to go.

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

Another video winner. Thanks for posting.

[@whitetailevolution]

Anytime! Thanks again for the comment!

[@WVBear]

Great ideas. Thanks for the vid.

[@whitetailevolution]

Thanks Brian! And anytime!

[@ianlilley6430]

Awesome video

[@whitetailevolution]

Thanks Ian!

[@jeremykane686]

Great video

[@whitetailevolution]

Thanks Jeremy! Appreciate it.

[@northernforestwhitetail]

Cool video. I just purchased 20 ac in MN for deer hunting. Designing it now.

[@whitetailevolution]

Congrats! It's such a fun process. Take your time with the design but be confident and go great your whitetail paradise !

[@kw4415]

Do you hinge cut the whole bedding area or do a clear cut? Do you leave any mature oaks in it?

[@whitetailevolution]

Combination of all 3. I make sure to traditionally fell the large, unhingeable trees, then I hinge cut the smaller trees to create bedding cover. I hinge them over on top of those larger trees that will be on the ground. I also will leave a few mature oaks and beech trees within the area to offer more food / attraction. Leaving a few standing won't block too much sun. The trees I just drop will most likely be blocked up and hauled back to the house to split.

[@davidregaljr9055]

What program do you use to create your map?

[@whitetailevolution]

I use Google Earth, free software and once you get the hang of it, it's really easy.

[@dylanthrall5657]

All my land has open hard woods and the only cover that is actually really big is a small little ridge about 10long 4feet wide and that's all

[@whitetailevolution]

You still have opportunity to create cover / hold deer, you just need to do more planting as opposed to cutting. Switchgrass, shrubs and conifers are your best friends!

[@evanmatthews11]

How cold was your right thumb while making this video?!?

[@evanmatthews11]

On a more serious note this cold front we’re experiencing is frigid! How does this impact the work you’ll be doing? Is it better to wait or kick it off now?

[@whitetailevolution]

Ha. It was cold. That's my texting thumb during the season. But the cold weather is both good and challenging depending on what you're doing. Good because it's more comfortable than the hot summer, also a great time to cut because all of the trees energy is in the ground. So when it tries to come back up, it will either spout from the stump or send our little shoots from the existing root system. Cold weather is challenging if the snow is really deep or if you're trying to hinge. I find more success with hinge cutting when it's above freezing, less trees snap off.

[@kevinleary5244]

Is that your 36acre home property

[@whitetailevolution]

Yeah, that's where we live. We also hunt in mid michigan and on the east side of the state.