How to Avoid Common Mistakes On Whitetail Habitat: Hinge Cutting Vs. Hack & Squirt

[@waynegalyen6176]

I have some multi floral rose is that any good for deer habitat

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Wayne - Multi floral rose is an invasive weed and I try to eradicate it from my place.

[@rodneyfernandez5304]

I've been watching your videos. And I've learned alot about deer management. Now I'm huntin timberland. Which is to say i lease yearly to hunt.my stands are in the wetland bottom and in thick woods that you call desert.that i plan on applying the hack and squirt method soon to improve the woods and habitat in my area. With all this said why sir would you kill off the Hickory trees.i know deer eat the Hickory nuts as much as acorns i know this because i hunt two mature trees and watch it happen.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Rodney - Hickory nuts are very hard and deer usually can't crack them open. Given this, I often remove hickories in favor of other tree species.

[@Gibsonlife573]

I agree with everything Grant said one thing I don't understand are would never ever do is put a blind out in the middle of a field how are you supposed to access that

[@GrowingDeerTV]

We only blinds located in the middle of fields during the afternoon - and approach them when deer are bedded.

[@907Outdoors.]

What do You squirt when you hack

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Different species of trees require different herbicides.

[@willieclark2256]

Love that attitude. It's not a mistake it's a two stage project

[@tidecoys]

Any suggestions on axe?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I like one that is just heavy enough to penetrate to the tree's cambium or inner bark layer without much effort on my part and that can be sharpened easily. I rubber handle covering that absorbs vibration helps during long days!

[@chadmiller2356]

Congratulations on your successful transplant. I too am waiting for my second kidney transplant. I pray for your continuing good health. Thank you for your expertise.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Chad - May God bless you and your healthcare team! Keep me posted.

[@tarzan30809]

Thank you for all the information Dr. Woods!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Welcome!

[@jayclames]

Grant, I’m mixing per your “recipe” for hack and squirt but the ingredients are almost gelling and clogging up sprayer. Any idea what I’m doing wrong? Thanks!!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jay - be sure and mix the Garlon3A and water then add the Arsenal or it will gell. The order is important.

[@mikelink7898]

Congratulations on your transplant n good health to u nur family

[@wisemechanic1758]

So I should kill a lot of trees to allow sunlight to the ground. What about small tree overgrowth. My land is so thick I can’t even walk through it

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It sounds like there's a closed canopy forest at your place. To improve the quality of the habitat for deer and many wildlife species, low quality trees and most of the saplings should be removed to allow sun to reach the soil and then follow up with prescribed fire.

[@wisemechanic1758]

@@GrowingDeerTV I wouldn’t even know where to begin

[@tidecoys]

When is the earliest you can do the hack and squirt method? I’d like to open the woods up as soon as possible. Where can you purchase the chemicals? Thank you

[@GrowingDeerTV]

This time of year the double girdle technique works much better than the hack and squirt. Herbicides are available at many online stores.

[@tidecoys]

@@GrowingDeerTV when would you recommend the hack n squirt? That seems like a lot easier method. You’ve definitely talked me out of hinge cutting. Love your channel. Thank you!

[@b3nzy581]

Does the hack and squirt create good winter thermal cover?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Yes - much better than shade that limits the sun's radiant energy from reaching deer or twigs that allow the wind (wind chill) to reach deer. Thick stands of grass and forbs that allow the sun to reach deer and block the wind are best! Consider the deer in western Kansas, Nebraska, eastern Wyoming, the plains of Canada. Some of the largest deer in the world live where there's no or limited tree cover.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

How large of trees can you hack and squirt effectively?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Steve - There's no limit to the tree size. Make a hack for each 3" of the tree's diameter.

[@petardob4202]

What do you use for hack and squirt

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Petar - It depends on the tree species you wish to control. Google the tree species and "control" and checkout the research for your area. - grant

[@joshsinglefooter]

Can you hack and squirt sweet gums in winter?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It's best to use the hack and squirt technique when trees have fully formed leaves and the double griddle or girdle and herbicide technique when trees don't have leaves.

[@rajasekhar3007]

Sir I want that spray

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Raja - It's available!

[@jasonard1394]

What herbicides do you use with your hack and squirt? What about for privyhedge?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jason - Which herbicide to use depends on the species to be controlled. Simply Google the species to be controlled and the word "control".

[@103m95g]

Bless both of you,

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks! - grant

[@irishman9935]

Congratulation on feeling better praise the lord brother.....

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks! I'm a very blessed person! - grant

[@obdnanrsmith8572]

If you want to use a hardwood for firewood, is it the same to cut it down and apply herbicide onto the fresh stump? Or is it better to hack n spray and wait a year for amazingly seasoned firewood then???

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It's fine to cut, treat the stump, and use the firewood! I like making firewood and love a good fire!

[@buck_nest_hunt_camp]

What’s the “squirt” product used? I’m in Canada, so it could be something I can’t even use here?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It depends on what species of tree to be terminated. Check out the following link for lots of good information:extension.psu.edu/using-hack-and-squirt-herbicide-applications-to-control-unwanted-trees

[@whitelight1720]

I’m looking at doing the hack and squirt method, what herbicide are you using?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It depends on the tree species to be controlled. Different species often require a different herbicide.

[@b3nzy581]

One of these days I will own property. My plan was going to do hinge cutting. Thankyou for showing this simpler, safer method that appears to give better results.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

[@jimraddatz7677]

Can someone explain how hack and squirt treatment is safe? If you’re killing a tree slowly, it’s eventually going to fall, right? Possibly on someone

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jim - We know that chainsaws are extremely dangerous. Hack and squirt is much more cost effecting and the trees will stand for years and dry completely before falling. Very small limbs will dry and drop the first year (like 1/2 or less in diameter) and each year slightly larger limbs will fall. By the time the stem fall, it's dry and often bust when it hits the ground. It will be very light compared to a tree full of moisture. When felling green trees they often bust limbs/bark off the residual trees and allow insects and disease to enter. I've know gads of folks hurt with chainsaws, felling trees, hinge cutting, etc. I've never heard of one person harmed by a hack and squirt tree falling.

[@jimraddatz7677]

@@GrowingDeerTV, perfect. Thanks for the explanation.

[@NelsonCobb]

I may have missed the answer to this question but when's the best time of the year to hack and squirt? Thanks!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Nelson - The hack and squirt technique works best from about June or after the sap flow has slowed to when the first leaves of the species to be controlled start to change colors.

[@marksollohub824]

What are you herbicide are you using to squirt?

[@jeffreylc]

We use “Pathway”.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mark - Which herbicide to use depends on the species of tree to be controlled. We often use Garlon 3A to control several species of hardwoods. - grant

[@deerhuntingdadstv9278]

Dr. Woods, how well would 6,8 or 10 inch round trees push over with a Bobcat in Maries Co. As compared to hack and squirt and push and clear next year... Any recommendations?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Unless you you need to clear to make a food plot, there's no need to push over dead trees. This would compact the soil, etc. If you wish to create a food plot then I'd remove the trees while they are green. Dead trees are more likely to break and fall on the equipment.

[@jeffreylove8061]

I'm so happy you and your daughter are doing well. There is nothing like a father/daughter relationship. God bless you Grant!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Jeffrey! - grant

[@ThirdLawPair]

Wouldn't a stump cut be able to regrow tall and shade the surrounding area just as much as a hinge cut?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Scott - A hinge cut tree will cover/shade much more ground than one circle of stump. Neither make good habitat and I only like stumps when there's a timber harvest. Otherwise it's better for wildlife to terminate the tree standing.

[@maxgeorge8746]

What herbicide are you using?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Which herbicide to use depends on the tree species to be controlled. Garlon 3A works on many hardwood species but it's important to Google the type of trees to be controlled and see which herbicide works best! - grant

[@jessescroggins14]

What herbicide do you recommend for hack and squirt ? I live in your neck of the woods.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jesse - different species require different herbicides. Oaks and hickories (the most common species here) can be controlled with 50% Garlon 3A, 40% water, and 10% Arsenal AC - mixed in that order.

[@portugeeprepper6821]

Hello Grant, what herbicide do you use and concentration for the hack and squirt method. Is it just roundup? Thank you

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Derek - which herbicide or mixture of herbicides to use depend on the tree species to be controlled. For some great information, checkout:extension.psu.edu/using-hack-and-squirt-herbicide-applications-to-control-unwanted-trees

[@stevedenoyer5956]

What happens with the dead tree after 4-5 years, does it become a widow maker?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Steve - There have been literally of millions of acres treated to control unwanted hardwoods such as sweetgums and I''ve never heard of one case of someone being hurt by a treated tree. Hardwoods that were terminated while standing will dry and become extremely light weight before falling. However, felling green/living trees is very dangerous and every year folks are killed or severely when felling trees or attempting to use the hinge cutting technique. If you fell trees, be careful!

[@Isaacmantx]

Dr. Woods, I am glad to hear you are feeling so good. Once again, thank you for all of the time and effort you put into educating all of us on the most regenerative ways to improve habitat!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Isaac! - grant

[@pholton3300]

What herbicide do they use to kill the trees when they do the hack n squirt?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It depends on the tree species. Search on the type of tree and "control" and there will be herbicide suggestions. - grant

[@roughcountryoutdoors4486]

I will always pray for you and your family, I love your videos and put them to good use

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Karen - I sincerely appreciate your prayers! - grant

[@todlew3238]

4x4 use will clear the area of deer.

[@wolfpack4128]

Have you observed this? I've seen the opposite. My cell phone trail camera sends me pictures from the field I just worked on with my side by side the same night.

[@jonsimm4174]

With all due respect, and I do mean all due respect...I have experience the opposite. As a matter of fact while building a new blind we watched deer come in and eat as if we were not even there.

[@todlew3238]

@@wolfpack4128 Yes I have observed this. ATV'S in the timber will cause the deer to avoid that area. They don't belong there anymore than the human scent does. Think about it. Neighbor told me nah,they get used to them. They sure do. And they leave the area. Trail camera showed dozens of deer and a few nice bucks on my property up to when neighbors started hunting using 4x4 access to their stands. From that point for a few weeks after , I captured 1 midnight buck on camera. No other deer of any kind. They relocated away from the area. A farmer in his truck driving around the field edge is one thing. A 4x4 right up to a stand?? Come on

[@todlew3238]

@@jonsimm4174 with all due respect and I do mean all due respect. I don't build blinds(shooting shacks) nor hunt out of them. I hunt traditional archery only and need to be inside 20 yards for a shot. Yes Deer have fed on one side of my yard while I road a mower 100 yards away on the other side. And they leave you pass by in the timber if you walk past non threatening. But to say you can drive a ATV up to your stand and it's better than sneaking in. Well I disagree. No offense. But I will stick to a stealth approach to a well scouted out spot where I have a stand hung. You get 1 maybe 2 cracks at him before he's on to you. I think Doc was wrong with his advice. Should have suggested other access ways to approach their private land stands.

[@wolfpack4128]

@@todlew3238 I've actually seen this in PA right before the first day of rifle season. You go from no ATVs to a bunch in one weekend. In the area I hunt now I'm in there at least a few times a month and other people ride them in the area all year long. I've watched deer bedded off the field stay put as four wheelers go by. If the deer around there wanted to avoid four wheelers they'd have to move dozens of miles to find big wooded public land areas.

[@coreytharp7271]

I wish I had the money for you to look at our old farm. Poor deer population and growth but it’s only 130 ac. Love to see you do this cause I try to see what I can apply to our place. Thanks

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Corey - I hope our paths cross soon!

[@theconnectionoutdoors9643]

HAVE SAID THAT ABOUT THE ATVS FOR YEARS. NO ONE EVERY LISTEN TO ME, THANK YOU EVER MUCH!!!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It's easy to understand - but old habits die hard. - grant

[@no6hunter]

I have learned through trial and error that if you hinge cut a small area (10'x10') within a hack/spray area, and maintain the hinge over the years, it has good benefits in the northern states. If you ensure the canopy doesn't re-develop and you maintain your hinges yearly it is great cover and bedding for doe groups in the winter when the northern states get hit with big snow falls. Geographical placement and exit routes are key! I do agree with Dr.Grant though, hinges don't fix everything and aren't labor free.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Corey -I agree - but why create a scenario that requires annual maintenance when better habitat quality can be established and maintained with less effort. I'd rather work on new projects. - grant

[@no6hunter]

@@GrowingDeerTVyou run out of new projects on 40 acres relatively fast lol we have implemented new plans to reduce annual maintenance and create better habitat recently. Would love to see a video on how to maintain big areas of Hawthorn's and similar species of brush.

[@EpicWhitetailHabitatLLC]

Agreed

[@whitetailsup760]

And glad u and ur girl are doing great

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Brent - Thanks! We were blessed with many folks praying for us! - grant

[@dougbarber3400]

Awesome info Sir. Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Doug - Thanks for watching! - grant

[@dannysage97]

Hey grant! Long time fan and I’ve been managing my 40 acres in northern Michigan for about 10 years. Can I harvest aspen and then terminate the stump with herbicide or do I need to kill it while it is standing?? I like the aspen regeneration for a few years but then it shades everything out. I’d like to use some of the money from harvest to fund other projects. Any recommendation?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Danny - Young aspen is fairly high quality browse. If you wish to terminate, Google which herbicide to use. Be careful! Aspen is a colonial species and most trees in a stand are the same individual - so killing one stem will kill many!

[@waynekensicki4718]

I have no idea how long my neighbors have done the buggy thing. But they've been doing it since I moved here 5 years ago and I hope they never stop.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Wayne - What's the "buggy thing"?

[@tarzan30809]

Dr. Woods, are you against forestry mulcher to revitalize a clear cut area of pine trees? I have 250 acs in central GA and would like to convert the property to a natural forestry and deer and turkey habitat following your methods and philosophy.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Tarzan - The resulting vegetation will be early successional habitat and good for most critters for a couple of years, Then the numerous saplings will shade out the soil and result in very unproductive habitat for most wildlife species. It would be better to have pines planted at a 10' x 10' or 12' by 12' spacing and treat the site with 16 ounces per acre of Arsenal AC - which terminates hardwoods but favors may beneficial species of native grasses and forbs. Pine stands managed well are very productive wildlife habitat. Clearcuts left to regenerate naturally always grow into a tangle and unproductive habitat for years. There are episodes on this channel that show great pine management.

[@rods-n-regscharters9099]

So glad you and your daughter are doing well. Wishing you blessings and many more years together. Love your videos and your information.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks! - grant

[@lastbreathtv4332]

Love the video, particularly how you continued to explain why you chose one method over another. Great content once again!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks! - grant

[@evanl6899]

So we have a little patch of hinge cutting, it worked great the first couple years and is still looking great but like you said eventually it will stop working, so what should we do to fix it when it stops producing?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Evan - You can hack and squirt the trees below the hinge and terminate them so sun will reach the forest floor. It's is tough work. - grant

[@evanl6899]

GrowingDeer.tv ok thanks, should I wait until it stops producing or just hack and squirt it as soon as possible?

[@garrethfloyd8716]

How much does it cost to have Flat Wood Natives perform this work on 80 acres and also can they do the hack and squirt with out marking it first, I mean can they Identify trees by sight and terminate maybe four tree spices in a single pass?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Garreth - You'll need to reach out to them. Travel, the number of stems per acre, etc., all impact the price. - grant

[@nicholasbrantley43]

Can you please make a video on how to age a Tom/ turkey

[@elirusch]

Nicholas Brantley spur length

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Nicholas - Eli is correct. A tom's age can be estimated by the spur length. This spur length per age relationship varies between different turkey subspecies. - grant

[@skylerjungling8361]

“He’s gonna become slow release fertilizer” lol

[@GrowingDeerTV]

You lost me on that one

[@skylerjungling8361]

When grant was talking about the dangers of stump cutting trees, he said that the trunk could slide off the stump and impale his abdomen and “he’s gonna become slow release fertilizer”

[@donnyrisch375]

What mix of herbicide do you use for the hack and squirt? Also would it work on a majority of trees in the Midwest? I'd love to try it

[@watchforfunandtolearn5462]

I've seen Tordon (Tordan?) used, but I've heard it is illegal in NY, any others?

[@watchforfunandtolearn5462]

Would Glyphosate (sp?) be strong enough?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Donny - Which herbicide to use depends on which tree species are to be controlled. For example, glyphosate works on some species but not all. Search on the tree species you wish to terminate and the word "control" and there's almost always several good links with accurate information. - grant

[@backcountrysurvivalists]

Great informative video!

[@backcountrysurvivalists]

I love how you talked about hinge cuts, for years I’ve been using hinge cuts for bedding and woody browse. Question how can you great woody browse without hinge cutting?

[@Isaacmantx]

you will get a MASSIVE sapling response after an intensive hack and squirt treatment. It wont happen the same moment like when you hinge-cut, but that next spring will see an explosion of woody browse.

[@backcountrysurvivalists]

Isaac Barnett thank you!

[@carrollsanders9376]

You first need to do a proper hinge cut the hinge cut he showed was crap designed to fail, too high up and the guy who did it didn't know how to use a chainsaw. Hinge cutting properly, then hack and squirt works best, using crosbow injection for the herbicide. A two step process, or hinge cut wait 2=3 years and control burn.

[@carrollsanders9376]

@@backcountrysurvivalists If your going to do a hinge cut you need a carving bar, not a standard chainsaw bar. You can do much better than what you showed.

[@philgorski1418]

What is the name of the liquid you used to spray in the trees and where can I get it? Great videos!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Phil- We use Garlon 3A for oaks and hickories, glyphosate for sassafras, and Tordon of locust, etc. It's important to use the correct herbicide for the species to be controlled. For more information checkout: mdc.mo.gov/blogs/more-quail/are-you-using-right-cut-stump-herbicide

[@lances4803]

Thanks for this video. Makes me feel better about how I have been managing my woods. Also, EVERYONE, please let your family members know that you wish to be an organ donor! Give the gift of life.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks! - grant

[@jmills4203]

Praise God! So happy to hear that the transplant went well sir! Thank you for continuing to produce these videos. You are a wealth of knowledge. Hey, until my kids are old enough to operate a 4 wheeler on their own and can drop me off, how would you suggest a single hunter access their stand? Would you still recommend driving a "buggy" in? Or walking? Thank you sir!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Josh - Each situation is different. Sometimes I take the Yamaha as close as I can and others I walk a ways. Try to determine where the deer will be coming from and plan accordingly. - grant

[@fredlongino6725]

Enjoy the video but must disagree about the buggy we have almost 400 acres about 100 in old fields and hay meadows have driven the same machines since we’ve got the property and the deer run as soon as they see us even at several hundred yards.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Fred - That's very rare. Someone must have alerted deer from the machines - shot at deer, etc. Consider parks, golf courses, county roads, etc. Deer are around vehicles daily and rarely associate them with danger.

[@tidecoys]

Try an electric bike….I bought a cheaper model this year. I had deer stand in the field snd watch me ride by. Deer walking out before I could climb into my stand. I don’t sweat anymore, can wear ALL of my layers right to the stand. I parked at the base of my stand almost every time.

[@robertsmith4812]

Neither hack and squirt nor hing cutting will be a one time only fix without follow up work through the years both are good methods

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Robert - I agree - but it's much less time consuming to maintain an area treated by hack and squirt and this technique almost always provides better habitat. Thanks! - grant

[@wildernissbrostv8823]

Why don't everybody watch this

[@watchforfunandtolearn5462]

Super special ending to the episode and extremely happy to hear you and Raleigh are both doing extremely well! Grant, do you have an episode that discusses which types of trees to eliminate and which ones to keep for T.S.I.? I only heard Oak Trees mentioned as a high value tree. Thank you very much for your help!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for watching! - We're planning to do a video on that subject! - grant

[@zackgrogg6733]

God Bless America

[@Gabucks1]

I got enough "hinge cuts" from last years Hurricane...

[@GrowingDeerTV]

GulfHunter - Whew! I was a grad student doing research just outside of Charleston, SC when Hurricane Hugo rolled in. There were hundreds of miles of hinge - a mess that still exist. Just like always, the trees that were laid over shaded out the ground and reduced the cover and browse as the limbs grew to the sun. That's a great illustration. - grant

[@johnnycostner6806]

Ive always felt the same way about hinge cutting...It seemed like a fad and just something to make videos about...It looks like crap and makes a messy area....Everyone should be aware of hunting channels that are just trying to be different and stand out from the pack with there content...sometimes they show and recommend things based on that instead of quality tactics.

[@todlew3238]

Stealth access is always better than vehicles. Trust me

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Tod - if "stealth" entries and exits can be accomplished without dispersing sent through areas you wish to hunt. Most can't do that because they must access their hunting property through areas they hunt. - grant

[@todlew3238]

@@GrowingDeerTV Sorry Doc. I still think stealth access is better. ATV right to the tree is far from stealthy. Maybe you should suggest rubber boots and least likely spooking access direction . How bout A cleared path since they're putting all that work into deer cover. I had my hunt destroyed by neighbors using 4x4 access to their stands even though they were couple hundred yards from my stand. Yes Deer quickly get use to them. And vacate the area. Trail camera went from dozens of deer pics before they showed up to hunt that way to only one midnight buck roaming through my property a few nights later. No other deer on camera. And that was my neighbor a couple hundred yards away in the same block of timber. But I still appreciate your vids. You teach alot. But I don't always agree. ✌

[@Thenorthoutdoors1]

Notification pop up when I was watching something other so I just came here bc I learn a lot here btw 1# like 1# view 1# comment also great video

[@jeremysilcox9362]

Great video as always. My favorite part was the last 2 minutes or so.. God bless!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jeremy - Thanks! I'm a very blessed man. - grant

[@mngardener343]

I love the land videos. if you want a challenging property you can come and check ours out. waist high waters on majority of the property and gets to below freezing come gun season.

[@whitetailsup760]

Love the videos but I somewhat disagree I have alwYs walk to my stand in the mornings I wood be in a tree 45 to a hour in the tree before daylight 20 to 15 min before daylight my neighbors wood drive there four wheelers near there stands deer wood flood my woods and how can u say the deer wheel get used to the buggy what about dearing the rut when different bucks from others properties come to my woods they might not be used to traffic from were they came from just my two cents

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Brent - Thanks for commenting. Consider golf courses, city streets, etc. Deer readily accept vehicles if they get used to them. Sitting in the stand long before daylight allows your scent to potentially swirl through the area more. - grant