HS360 2023 How diversity in native grass habitats can create more predictable deer movements.

[@markhumphrey855]

I have been working on a old pasture about 10 acres, and have got golden rod and native grasses growing and have been planting cave in rock in lines and patches for diversity on cover as well as security and line of sight cover . Been working well . Glad you put this video out. Also have 2 , 1/2 acre food plots . Gonna do some hinge cuts to feather the edge along a woods

[@habitatsolutions360llc3]

@markhumphreys855 Glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like youve been creating a great habitat more in line with what nature does and are having good results!

[@martinmarsola6477]

A gorgeous field and pretty deers. All the best on your endeavors. ❤😊

[@Grizzlife]

I harvested my largest buck this year on the transition line from big timber to 3 year old cutover. The 15 acre area has grown up thick with large pockets of broom sage for bedding and Forbes and wood browse. The deer love it with all the native plants that have grown on their own.

[@johnhuls2695]

When do you start walking the property. Do you still stay out of the bedroom till spring or do you walk everything after season is done?

[@habitatsolutions360llc3]

I start by early to mid December depending on season closure date, i like to see every bedding area if and when possible once season is over.

[@rfb7117]

Jake, I could not agree with you more. We planted a mixture suggested by NWSG of warm season grasses, forbes, broadleaves, and wild flowers a few years back as part of a 15 yr. program. Unfortunately the switchgrass took over, and today it is so thick the deer don't attempt to move through it, and there is no food to attract them into it. You mentioned burning, lightly discing, and seeding with forbes, broadleafs, and wild flowers. Will your program allow you to do this, and how many pounds of each are you spreading after discing? Thanks for the help. Bob SWWI

[@habitatsolutions360llc3]

@fb7117 I often recommend stands of S/G where appropriate to my clients and incorperate it into their plans I design, however I caution them to keep their seeding rates down to 3-1/2 to 4 lbs/acre in the bulk of the fields and use 8-10/lbs/acre as screening cover on the edges where needed. I dont want deer bedding in your screening and is why I recommend the higher seeding rate in just those areas. The local NRCS does alow a limited amount of forbs and wildfloweres mixed in the NWSG programs, Ive utilized diversity pockets with 1-2 pounds of mixed perennial and annual wild flowers along with other forbs in small sections after the burn & disking.

[@figandcloverranch5871]

I feel like my SG field is slowly turning into this as the years go on . I was gunna just burn it this year to bounce the SG back , but maybe I go another season or two 🤔

[@habitatsolutions360llc3]

@figandcloverranch5871 Definatly dont skip the burn, there are so many beneficial plants and growth stimulants from every burn you do.

[@kurtcaramanidis5705]

What a great video and very under-utilized strategy. Great for all forms of wildlife as well. Look forward to more videos like this.

[@todlew3238]

Maybe if the grass habitat is small. Why would you want to feed the deer in the bedroom? Make them travel to the dining room

[@emmanuelschwartz8955]

If you create a bedding area in a timber setting it has tons of browse in it. We don't get rid of all the brush and woody stems deer eat in that case . I've heard both arguments so i planted my switchgrass field 50/50 to do a little experiment . Half solid switchgrass other portion I put small pockets with cedar trees and short grass mix. Should be interesting

[@habitatsolutions360llc3]

Agree 100%, I have all kinds of woddy browse in bedding and security areas elswhere toughhout the property, these are my observations over 20 years of managing this particular NWSG habitat.

[@habitatsolutions360llc3]

Those early summer food sourses in the grasses mature, becomes tough and no longer attractive by fall's hunting season, food plots are located elsewhere for just as you mentioned to keep them traveling.