Jan. 30: What We're Cutting This Winter | Dream Farm w/ Bill Winke

Making the undercover thicker is a main priority on the farm this off-season. That will combine two practices: TSI and tree planting. We are just getting started with the TSI (Timber Stand Improvement) effort. We have 52 acres to go through (a lot of country in this steep ground). In this episode, I talk about what we are cutting and why.

[@homeinthewhiteoaks]

Love this "Dream Farm" content. Could you do a few episodes where you pick an area you want deer to bed, and show how to make a bedding area or two, and a plan to hunt it. (some of them could just be drawings or areal view videos from your office) I know I'm getting kind of specific but there is just not good content showing someone making a plan on a farm, mapping it out, and then executing the plan. Lots of guys make videos of cutting trees and calling it bedding, but don't talk about how to plan access to hunt that spot, and the mapping of the area to make a buck trap out of one or two bedding areas. Or a bedding area and a plot. A lot of us have smaller farms and only have the space or time to make one plan and execute it. I'm in the process of doing this now on my place and have watched everything I can find on KZbin, and believe you could do a better job than any other creator. (Your Creek Crossing video was the best lessons on that topic I have ever seen.) Once we see how to do one, or two "traps" a landowner could then replicate or improvise in a similar topography, several on a property, giving them a few different setups for wind, and to keep the pressure lower on any one of those spots. I may be making mistakes but I am building 3 bedding areas along a ridge, about 250 yards apart. Call them A, B and C running East and West. Then connecting them with a trail. I plan on putting stand 1 between A & B to the north of that trail and Stand 2 between B & C with a stand just south of the cut trail. Giving me a choice for different winds. I am looking for input on how to do this, or any other "trap" using timber stand improvement for hunting. Thanks again for all your videos they do help so many of us with our own Dream Farms.

[@seanfahrendorf7424]

Whitetail Properties landbeat series has tons of informative TSI content similar to what you are referring to. They work with the Land & Legacy guys who really know their stuff.

[@georgeatkinson5593]

Thank you guys! I have been learning from and enjoying your content (Bill and now Bill & Jordan) for many years now. Love to see Jordan coming into her own, growing from a shy young girl to an articulate, inquisitive, beautiful young lady. Keep up the great work and again...thank you!

[@brian1110]

I’ll give you another tip. Always be aware of the tip of your chainsaw to avoid kickback. Keep two hands and a firm grip on the saw. Good luck!

[@ajkelley20]

Several acres of my property were logged 3 years ago. Many treetops were left on the ground. The oak regeneration is incredible, also my turkey, quail, rabbit, and deer population increased. I'm a big fan of leaving the trees down. Great project

[@bill-winke]

Thanks AJ. More work to fell them, but that is the way I have always done it. Lots of places for wildlife to hide and lots of sanctuary for new regrowth to get started without browsing pressure from deer.

[@LetThemGrow]

Wholeheartedly agree with Jordan…safety discussion before starting is only logical. Anxious to watch this farm improve and your improvement projects this off-season.

[@shaneallison3370]

Jordan’s facial expressions are priceless. Yes Jordan safety first 😆. Episode got me motivated to maybe do a little cutting this weekend 👍 Thanks guys

[@bill-winke]

Good luck Shane. Be safe. If in doubt, don't cut it down. No bit of habitat is worth taking risk.

[@alexpinnow6509]

Good stuff guys, won't be long before Jordan is ripping through hillsides. Looks like there's plenty to cut!

[@robertfmccarthy2360]

Awesome, glad you’re be safe. Good to see Jordan in the field

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Robert. I always enjoy spending time with Jordan in the field.

[@killintimetillreelintime]

You are not wrong. You own that land, and there is no wrong way to do it. It's all up to You. Thanks for several years of learning more about deer and deer hunting.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. Have a great day.

[@keithbuesing6912]

You were smart doing TSI when you did before tick season. Unfortunately I'm not good at tree identification without leaves to rely on. Thanks for the motivation!

[@bill-winke]

That is a lot tougher. I am probably about 90% accurate without leaves. So we did make a few mistakes, not usually on the bigger trees as the bark patterns and tree formation are pretty well established by then, but it is much harder on the smaller stuff. Good luck.

[@midwesternoutdoorsandnatur8272]

A great safety practice for newbies is to set the chain brake immediately after the cut. We are doing lots of tsi as well now. Great fill in between the seasons. Glad to see all the PPE!

[@bill-winke]

Yes, we are going to be cutting every day for the better part of a month. We are focused on safety as this is a dangerous activity.

[@archeryonly5629]

Good work !! Be safe out their !!!!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@SuperDave-pe1zw]

Nice informative video , working on your own place isn't work, its your dream... keep working on your dream farm 😊

[@paulbernitt4280]

Interesting....I am not clear on the State's focus on monoculture and how that enhances all natural resources. I get clearing for regeneration (much like natural fire which is prevented to an extreme), but not what seems to be the underlying motivation for a monoculture. What I mean by monoculture is hardwoods here, agriculture here, CRP here, cattle pasture here, housing here, etc. Natural resources are dependent on diversity intermingled. What a grouse needs versus a deer a squirrel a raccoon or a pheasant are all different but the diversity of growth supports the diversity of wildlife which is fantastic for developing sustainable natural resources. In my experience, diversity causes natural resources to thrive which is great for not only the diversity of species but that diversity of growth and species is also great for deer. In my opinion, large canopy oaks on a 50-acre plot, a 50-acre field of beans, or a 50-acre CRP field, or a 50-acre cattle pasture are monoculture environments that simply rob nature of the diversity it needs to thrive. What we call inefficient, loss of potential revenue, or junk, nature requires . Even the idea of pesticides over vast areas for modern agriculture destroys the living biodiversity of the soil needed for nutrient-rich plants. Try to find a single earthworm in a 100-acre field sprayed year after year with herbicide. There is soooo much to learn from nature and nature has been around a lot longer than us. Buck in the truck 2024!

[@ChrisWilliams-nu1sf]

good for wearing your personal protective equipment!

[@rickeymartin8517]

Bill you talk about not having many deer here in TX deer don't like these steep bank's or steep hills they tend to avoid them happy cutting Lord's blessings 🙏.

[@bill-winke]

Rickey, thanks. God bless you too. The deer will live in this country fine. I have hunted a number of other farms around here in the bluffs that have a lot of deer. I think this place having been cattle pasture for decades is a big part of the reason there aren't many deer here.

[@jeffreyhall838]

Jordan did an excellent job and she is a fast learner 👍

[@bill-winke]

She is a fast learner. Thanks Jeffrey.

[@Todaysbacon]

Much respect to all the accomplishments and transparency! Seems like kind of a double edge sword with the oak regeneration when the acorns were potentially what made the hunting tough there. Thanks again, good luck!

[@bill-winke]

Oak regeneration is a 40 year turnaround. That means creating new oak trees. It is one thing that is lacking in much of the Midwest now. I will not live long enough to see the first acorns fall from those trees. But, even if it was a short term improvement, I would still do it. Make the place as good as possible for the wildlife. Short-term it may make them harder to hunt, but long-term the farm will keep improving.

[@Todaysbacon]

@@bill-winkeI appreciate the detailed response! Thanks and good luck!

[@mitchellgenz1373]

Glad to see the protective equipment, see to many people running chainsaws without it. Great tips Bill and Jordan.

[@bill-winke]

Definitely. Safety first. We keep reminding each other of that each day.

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

U look pretty solid on that cutting. I cant remember the last time i cut a tree with my 2 feet on the ground. Usually I'm up 30 to 40 feet. I invested in rigging rope, rigging rings, friction saver that suspend a large limb so i can lower it to the ground. With my property which was overgrown for years i have several dead 15 to 20 foot stems w/o a limb on them. They can fall whenever they want. I do have a couple of things i always do. To drop a section where i want it to fall. I have a riggjng system so when the cut is done it is suspended. As a rule i make a wedge cut on the one side it's falling. Then i make 2 thin side cuts on both sides just a half to one inch so it won't twist. Then I make my back cut. The step cuts u r doing r fine but if u make those side cuts there's just alot more redundancy on live 🌳 that will sometimes twist. I've been up high alot where after i did the fromt, side & a back cut i have to take out my sharp hand saw to give it a few strokes like 3. Then a rigging rope on the end of that branch I'm cutting has a rigging rope hooked to the end to pull it down from the ground in the direction i need it to go. I never want a barber pole cut & i always tie a line to the end of a branch that is hooked to a rope puller called a Maasdam. A few times that Maasdam has broken the branch free from the tree & i can manipulate it to the ground where it needs. Just because I'm not married is not a good reason to avoid widow makers. My motto is measure 5 times/ cut once. ➕️ the side cuts make a big difference. Look forward to your progress.😮😅

[@scottschaeffer8920]

This is a subject that has no end. Lots of variables-site specific. That said, the driftless region, where your farm is, needs cutting, cutting, and, when you think you’re done, more cutting. If you’re fan of oaks, don’t neglect young oaks, small clear-cuts, with the tops in the unit, help buffer deer browse, you can throw-in some planted stock with cages too. Keep going! Fire included.

[@bill-winke]

Yes, for sure. I have seen that in all parts of Iowa, not just here, but for sure here. I plan to get good at the fire aspect this spring too. That makes me a lot more nervous than the cutting, but I am sure once I learn how to do do it here, it will be fine.

[@keithkristoff9419]

The handle of a chainsaw is 90* to the bar, so you use the handle as a gun site. Make the notch cut with the saw handle pointing towards where you want the tree to fail. Never cut all the way through the tree to the notch, you must leave the "hinge" so you have control of where the tree will fall, if you cut the hinge then you lose control of the tree.

[@bill-winke]

Great advice. Thanks Keith. After day two we definitely are getting better at the process. A bit stiffer in the joints and the muscles for the lessons!

[@TheHonknasty]

I’d recommend folks buy the book “to fell a tree” before spending considerable time with a chainsaw. Looks like you’re cutting clean through without leaving any holding wood as one should as a safe practice. Some good videos on “extreme deer habitat” KZbin channel on this.

[@pathoag7006]

Bill are you going to do an update this spring on the acorns and Red Dogwood you planted last year?

[@bill-winke]

I definitely will. The redoiser dogwood are really doing well. Even in the spots that weren't in marshy/wet soil.

[@Biker_1991]

Just a tip , when dropping trees ,look up ! That is where the things come from that will get you! Vines ,branches limbs etc will catch and break things that will fall on you! The temptation is to watch the tree land but rarely do things fly towards you from where the tree lands. Be safe!

[@bill-winke]

That is a really good point. I have seen the effect of the vines on pulling branches from other trees.

[@bradb_in_Iowa]

Thanks, as always, Bill and Jordan. It sounds like you are cutting based on your forestry plan. What are your thoughts on hinge cuttings? Some of the "junk" trees produce a tremendous amount of accessible new growth forage when hinged to "deer level". I love making my Stihl eat out in the woods. 😀 Stay safe out there!

[@edwardclark5211]

Dream Big brother 🙏

[@bill-winke]

You too Edward. Have a great day.

[@seanmryncza4968]

On my property. Vines are and had been horrible on surrounding trees ..S curving desired trees. Personally storm snaps tops stuck by vines slowly curving good timber. Also making takedowns hazardous. Topography is a challenge. Flat landers would have a hard time getting how awkward felling trees can be. I like how you emphasized how difficult the angles and footing can be. The vine to the tree you don’t see is the one that gets you!

[@bill-winke]

Yes, fortunately there are not tons of vines here. Some, but less than 10% of the trees have them. You would almost have to kill the vines one year and come back to drop trees the next, or kill them standing.

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

Safety tip: When possible, keep a hand on the upper bar so if the saw kicks back the chain brake hits your hand and stops the chain, substantially reducing the risk of an injury. Also wondering if you are using any of the cedar to build screening?

[@bill-winke]

Good tip Jack. No, just leaving it lay. It would be a lot of work to get these trees off these slopes. Not sure how it could even be done, maybe with a long line from a log skidder. Have a great day.

[@PBAdventures146]

Do you still have any cameras out? It would be interesting to see what was hitting the corn so hard!!

[@jbilly24]

The issue with cedar, is that even after they are cut down, the skeleton's will last for 20 plus years, even with prescribed fire. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of.

[@451whitworth4]

Agreed. I never drop cedars and just leave them. It become a mess.

[@Andrew-sanders]

Cedar has value everywhere and at almost every size from 1 inch across at 5 feet up. And buyers in every state. People literally buy in okla and ship to west and north since can't find local I Ave 300 a day cutting and have shipped to 31 states

[@gsquared2394]

I’ve been double girdling around crop trees instead of dropping trees. Easier and safer, I’ll check out the efficacy next season.

[@bill-winke]

I agree, you do end up with a lot of standing dead trees that will eventually fall, possibly on your crop trees, but that may not be a major issue. That method does make a lot of sense. I like the tree on the ground to eliminate any issues of trees falling later and also to provide a sanctuary cover on the forest floor for the new growth to come up through.

[@lisaannaallen6283]

bill not killing the stumps ? those stump sprouts will out compete the oak saplings. tordon is cheap . also the stump sprouts will still use alot of water and take up your nutrients in the soil . are you going to do any hack and squirt to compare.

[@natemihlbachler3511]

Are you killing anything with herbicide or just felling and girdling? I think maybe it was another one of your videos where you said that you weren't a fan of girdling large trees because of the fear of them falling later. I would definitely employ a double girdle on the larger trees. They make such a huge mess and I think there is a much larger chance of getting smashed cutting one as opposed to later when your mushroom hunting etc since they just kinda crumble standing. I always completely drop them around my tree stand though. Digging the series. Keep cranking them out!

[@CentralMississippiWhitetail]

Love these episodes…as good as hunting…Buckin Billy Ray KZbin channel is great for more in depth “powersaw” info

[@bill-winke]

I am learning, but there is definitely a lot of craft that goes into cutting down trees safely and quickly.

[@shannonpaplow7754]

better to have small pockets of ceder for bedding cover on the property. Trimming some of the unwanted trees will help with regrowth. Sun = plant growth Shade = No growth good luck

[@bill-winke]

Good points Shannon. When we can, we try to open good sized holes in the canopy, taking a tree here and there won't make a big difference in the undergrowth. Good luck.

[@c.connor7319]

Finally after all these years of watching bill it’s nice to see he got something right… Stihl chainsaws

[@bill-winke]

They are good saws.

[@seregill13]

Would probably be good if she had a smaller saw to practice with. A MS170 would be a lot easier for her to use.

[@bill-winke]

Yes for sure. She also struggles to start the Farm Boss.

[@bmalone0688]

Bill, I know you have different idea's and reasons for doing the cutting versus other things but something that could be useful for you, especially on the cedar, is a product called the "Brush Bullet". A rancher here in the Texas Panhandle developed it and it can be applied from the air(helicopter...drone is being developed) or ground(like a paintball gun) and targets whatever specific tree you shoot. It's just a little ball that you shoot and the rain dissolves it. He has video's of it on his KZbin channel "The Mendota Ranch" and it looks SUPER effective and he gives some good info. I think it would be ideal for that steep country. Be safe

[@paulbernitt3559]

Quick question here....When cutting the trees down and killing he stump, what prevents all the seed from those trees over years and years from germinating and sprouting with the open canopy? Wouldnt it be better to give the resources in the soil to the stump and have the bush than hundreds of those trees taking root?

[@bill-winke]

There is all kinds of stuff in the ground ready to grow. For example, I cut a lot of shag bark hickory on the southern Iowa farm. I got back all kinds of stuff but almost no hickory. The trees are often the second or third generation of the plants that grow when you open up the canopy. Often it is just weeds and berries and small trees that the deer will eat as they are growing. There is not thing wrong with keeping the stump alive, but that won't prevent other stuff from growing right next to it.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Bill do you just leave everything or do you go back through and open up the ground cover so the deer can wander thru the cuts?

[@bill-winke]

I just leave it. The thick spots are in pockets and the deer can just go around them as they travel through.

[@stevegermain1222]

Bill, you don't really wanna use the top of the saw to cut your second cut. Because it wants to make the saw kick back easier. Also, send Jordan Stan's up after cutting her tree. Kind of looks at you and the saw comes close to her knee. Please just be careful

[@georgehelzer7569]

oooooo looks like those chaps paid off already..

[@alexpinnow6509]

Think the saw hit a rock not the chaps

[@davealatalo1955]

Yes, I hate to be "that guy" and critique a video, etc. But there was a point in this video where I was concerned with what I saw. (No pun intended.) Check out the saw/chain "travel" at 14:17. That was a near miss and I highlight that so steps can be taken to avoid an accident in the future. All the best to Bill and his family, you make very useful content that many of us appreciate watching. But I also want to be sure that no one gets hurt.

[@georgehelzer7569]

@@alexpinnow6509 Yeah I think you are right.. had to watch it 4 times to see the rock dust... Close either way.

[@alexpinnow6509]

@@georgehelzer7569 anything chainsaw related seems to turn into a Ford vs chevy church vs state battle when it comes to the right way and safety. I'll leave that to Bill and Jordan to discuss. Let's just hope that Bill and crew keep the cameras rolling so we can see how he transforms the landscape! His articles about TSI on the southern Iowa farm leave me yearning for more

[@bill-winke]

Definitely hit that rock. I don't remember it being close to my chaps, but that is quite possible.

[@bowlingmotorsportsbowling5990]

Bill…… what do you do with all the cut Tember? Firewood or leave for cover an beding?

[@bill-winke]

If one of the neighbors wanted it, they could come and get all the firewood they could want, but I have learned that around here, they prefer oak for firewood and we aren't cutting down any oak trees. I will just leave it for bedding/cover.

[@grinder881]

@jordanwinke If you ever migrate over to trail running you will have to learn to appreciate hills and how they make you a better runner. No "dream big" closing today Bill?

[@bill-winke]

I forgot that. I will do better in the future. Thanks for the comment grinder. Have a great day.

[@showmetheheartland]

Maybe i missed an episode where you mentioned but where is this property located?

[@bill-winke]

It is in the northeast part of Iowa.

[@keithbuesing6912]

How do you, or do you control honeysuckle? Every open spot in my timber gets thick with it. South Central Iowa. TIA

[@bill-winke]

I know that only too well, Keith. I had some really bad spots on the farm I had down there. The best solution is to deal with it before you start TSI or you will have it everywhere. I tried a combination of mechanical (cutting down) and chemical (treating stumps), but there are just so many berries on the ground that it will take many years to finally win that battle. I believe that the only true solution is aerial spray glyphosate on the worst areas after all the other plants and trees go dormant. Down there, that means in early November. You will notice that the honeysuckle is still green then while everything else is brown. Some testing has shown this method to be effective. I know guys who have actually bought spray drones for this job and others who are hiring it done. It will take a few years to get ahead of it, but is there is hope, this will likely be it. Good luck.

[@keithbuesing6912]

@@bill-winke Thanks I did some spraying last fall after frost just to see if I could open a spot for brassica. See how it goes.

[@stevegermain1222]

You guys are just too damn cute, I love You'r place

[@user-rh4gx1ru9z]

I agree with all species except the Elms.

[@craigzie2594]

Have you ever used tornon? Sorry for spelling. We have black locust problem. You put it on the stump. And it won't grow back

[@usernamehere6061]

Tordon RTU? Works just fine. Another option is Garlon 3a.

[@bill-winke]

I am using the Garlon 3.

[@donaldbowling8620]

I’m surprised you didn’t put a couple cameras on that corn once you laid it down. 🤷‍♂️

[@bill-winke]

I should have. I thought of it after I had left the farm. It would have been really interesting to see what came in here.

[@Huntoutdoors1]

Nice get those cedars down and sweetgum and autumn olive .Our Elms and Ash are already almost all dead by the thousand here so nature is taking them down faster than we can.

[@shanetrudell4061]

Rare to see a lumberjack with pigtails!

[@bill-winke]

Pippi Long Stockings.

[@mitchvamos5827]

Bill your daughters gorgeous

[@bill-winke]

Yes, Jordan is awesome. Thanks.

[@brianberry4957]

They maybe junk wood but they are great for firewood

[@bill-winke]

Yes, we cut down a lot of trees today. At least 100, probably more. Some were pretty good sized. If only it was easier to get it out of the timber and split. There will be a fortune in firewood on the ground soon, but I don't have the time or energy, or the market, to make good use of it.

[@tommyhunter1817]

That cedar wood sure is pretty. Too bad there’s no demand for cedar logs.

[@bill-winke]

I know it. There is demand for the really good stuff, but what we have here has so many branches and knots that someone would pretty much need to be a hobbyist to want to work with it. Would make really cool boards if you had the time/patience to cut all the branches off and get them to a mill.

[@tommyhunter1817]

@@bill-winke yep. Make a heck of a wall to display mounts on. Smell good too! Friend of mine in Pennsylvania makes beautiful turkey box calls out of it.

[@mikejohnson2874]

Be careful when cutting the cedar trees on the hill even when they fall downhill. They can spring back at you when the branches hit the ground. Had a buddy lose some teeth and get banged up pretty good when it sprang back.

[@stevegermain1222]

Oh, dear God. I don't mean to be a bug, but right at the end of your video. There's a picture of a chainsaw almost whacking a kneecap. Please please please be careful

[@PeanutButterRipple]

lovin’ the dream farm content. but Dotz Pretzel Co. has declared significant losses since the end of deer season… some of us know why. Jordans not in the blind . 😂

[@bill-winke]

Exactly. I heard they had to lay people off because we stopped promoting their Honey Mustard pretzels.

[@shawnmoore7841]

U have said all year to many acorns.....

[@bill-winke]

It made hunting harder, for sure, but that was a really unique year. Plus, it is better to have deer with plenty to eat. They are much healthier.

[@Andrew-sanders]

The cedar you vut you literally waisted 20.00 just leaving it lay there instead of cutting into post and hauling. Bet i make more than 80 percent of the country cutting that size and smaller. I paid cash gor 40 acres paid gor and cleared 70k just on the cedar on it. I ship cedar from here in okla up there because nobody will market them there

[@bill-winke]

I wish someone would market them there. I have thousands of trees that I need to remove. The mills have no interest in taking them and just getting them off this steep country is a major problem. Good input.

[@Andrew-sanders]

@@bill-winke right there is the problem. I have thousands but won't market them myself. The hole country has the same mindset. Get someone else to do the work. You have thousands of them but it's better to cut and leave than to make them into a asset

[@shanemitchell4516]

Tip leave ur dog home

[@bill-winke]

Not sure why taking my dog with me when I go to cut trees down makes any difference.

[@patrickdeclerk4424]

Hi guys woody browse& stump spouts.logging plan every year pace yourself tkank you for your content.