One of the Easiest Ways to Build Deer Habitat

I love creating soft edges for the deer. Edge-feathering is one of the best and quickest tools for creating this type of edge.
A few years ago I cut this edge for the purpose of extending this wood lot, creating better deer habitat, and as a bonus, creating a strong screen for any potential edge deer bedding.
It's great to see just how much this edge has exploded with wildlife value in the past few years when compared to the original video. Based on the browse on this edge, the deer appear to be appreciating it.
For more about Purpose-Filled Habitat Management, check out my website at www.pfhabitat....
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#deer deer #deerhunting #habitat #wildlife #whitetaildeer #native #nature #forest

[@stevedenoyer5956]

The stem count in the maple is incredible! Exactly what you want in the early successional growth.

[@PFHabitat]

Yah the maples are really filling in the open space nicely!

[@mikemellon80]

this is awesome. this is the last year my ag field will be farmed. I cant wait to do this to the entire edge of my field. roughly 1/2 mile

[@PFHabitat]

That's gonna be some beautiful habitat. What a fun project!

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

I watched your video last year or 2 years ago (I forget) when you did it. But I had an edge similar to what you have here. Because of you, I did the same thing, and am having the exact same result! LOTS of new trees (box elder, sugar maple, oak, basswood, etc..). Thank you! Also, you separate yourself from the “pro’s” because you don’t deal in absolutes! ie… “deer do not need overhead cover” (we all know who) and “the Higgins reference in this video). It doesn’t mean they don’t have great ideas, but I like your approach and process better!

[@PFHabitat]

Glad to hear it brother! Watching the trees fill in is a rewarding feeling. And yes, major pet peeve of mine when folks paint with a broad brush with ideas. There is a time and place for everything under the sun! And that's not to say i don't still respect guys like higgins, I do. I'm sure he has forgotten more than I know. I just respectfully disagree sometimes

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

@@PFHabitat precisely!

[@Mark-oq5pf]

Great job! That looks like a deer magnet

[@PFHabitat]

Thanks! They definitely seem to be taking notice

[@nolanpowell785]

I also listen to Don Higgins he’s got great information!

[@PFHabitat]

I agree, plenty of good stuff on their podcast

[@TheWoodSnob]

Looking nice!

[@PFHabitat]

Thanks Dan!

[@JTWy37]

Always appreciate your content. 1) thoughts on how wide your soft edge needs to be? 2) do you ever kill off grass on your edges to promote regrowth of volunteer trees. 3) thoughts on adding a few spruce in the soft edge? 4) once soft edge fills in and becomes a hard edge, is your plan to go back in a thin? Realize your pushing it out to your spruce planting but curious if you were keeping up against tillable land

[@PFHabitat]

This one is about 15 yards wide. I wanted to leave a nice buffer for regen. Yes killing the grass expedites the woody regen process. I wouldn't be opposed to sprinkling in some spruce. But on this edge I'll leave it as strictly deciduous regrowth. And that last one is a great question. I'll tackle that when I get there is 20 years :) I'm young enough I haven't got an edge to that point yet. The deer keep them browsed back hard so it'll be a long time before I get there

[@tidecoys]

How many properties does Don H have to hunt? Looks good…all that food. I overlooked browse for years.

[@PFHabitat]

I have no idea. Yes browse is so crucial, especially for northern deer habitat managers

[@scottschaeffer8920]

Collectively, disturbance-that’s the common demonator in game management. We have to cut, burn, graze, mow, etc. Wise Use equal more grouse, quail, deer, rabbits, etc. Enjoy your clips!

[@PFHabitat]

You nailed it!

[@stanleybuck4195]

I've enjoyed your commentary about your habitat improvement. How has it translated to your hunting results? Please share What you've shot the past 3-4 years.

[@PFHabitat]

I've connected every year since 2018 except 2020 though I did have a swing and a miss that year. My buck of a lifetime came in 2022, officially grossed 180 0/8 inches. That's not the norm for our area. Shooting a nice 3 year old was always the goal. Which was tough. Our biggest obstacle is having the Minnesota rifle season during peak rut. But with good habitat we have been doing better getting a few through. My new goal is 4 year old +. All bucks were shot with a bow except my 2023 buck.

[@kurtcaramanidis5705]

Love it

[@PFHabitat]

This narrow 100 yard stretch of fallow field conversion is nothing compared to freedom acres!

[@kurtcaramanidis5705]

@@PFHabitat We're working on it.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Don Higgins thinks he knows everything, and his way is the best way. Closed mind, and his is the best including any seed he sells. . He annoys me. 😊

[@thomaslehmann5981]

Higgins annoys me also.

[@PFHabitat]

I actually enjoy their podcast. But I do manage my habitat a lot differently than he would.

[@tidecoys]

With that many properties to hunt, it kind of negates his 200” deer. If he said that about browse, then he probably doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@nickperkett4523]

This might sound stupid, but I'll ask it. I have 60 ac of all hardwoods 2 sides of the property are neighbors woods and one is road between a bean or corn field. The other side is open field on the west side of my property. Would it benefit me at all by feathering the edges to his field??

[@PFHabitat]

The field edge would make sense. The only time I've cut on timbered property lines is to try deter movement from the neighbors. I did a video on this a few years ago discussing the reasons why you'd consider that. If you do edge-feather the field know they may bed up against it if your timber is wide open with little thick cover.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Have you ever bought and planted tree seeds?

[@PFHabitat]

I have not

[@stevedenoyer5956]

What’s your spacing on your spruce?

[@PFHabitat]

12×7 spacing

[@petemoss3477]

That’s not going to work

[@PFHabitat]

This is doing exactly what I want it to do so I'm not sure what you're talking about. But thanks for the helpful input