Common BAD Deer Habitat Decisions

[@williamprice1542]

since I found your content on KZbin, I have upgraded my hunting system. and now I have my own 40 in northeast Wisconsin. I am working on food plots and access, then seeing how they react I plan on improving the flow of the deer 🦌 and their bedding etc. going to take a couple of years, but this is what we enjoy, those of us that follow your content are very grateful!!

[@ragnarw6600]

Peer reviewed! Your have 201k reviewers that think what you're saying is on point! I listen to a few others for some other ideas, but then they go ahead and add some doctorate who studies on huge parcels only for his stats. Don't let them get to you! Keep doing what your doing!

[@rfb7117]

Jeff, you are absolutely correct!!!!! Having made numerous bad decisions enrolling in various government programs, the key is to have a plan that is based on the WILDLIFE. Make sure the plan results are what YOU want, if so it will be a good program for both you and the state!!!!! Bob

[@rfb7117]

Question....with the increase in fertilizer costs, are you increasing your recommendations on spring plantings to offset using fertilizer?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

So true Bob and I know you have personally lived that!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

No Bob...I still use buckwheat and thr same negative effects of spring plantings far outweighs the cost benefits of having tonspend more on fertilizer. I would rather shrink the plots...

[@markr.1547]

Thanks Jeff! I screwed up not knowing this information but going to back out of the MFL program! My land is just South of the Tigerton area. 2017 there was straight line winds(like a tornado) that came through my land so I had to have it cleaned up and logged by Tigerton lumber. At first I was highly disappointed but it has actually benefited me with the early successional growth of briars etc that occurred from opening things up. I figured the land was just logged I may as well take advantage of the MFL program… made sense to me. So my Forrester wrote up a plan but the DNR came back with clear cutting two Aspen stands that I have to the plan, didn’t like the idea but I signed the adapted plan. This is to take place in 2030 so I still have some time before I make that decision. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to retire at 56 but I’m going to wait until I’m 65 so my income doesn’t go up now for insurance reasons. In cognizant that I will have to pay back the tax savings and the 500 bucks application fee to be removed from the program. I’m aware I will have to pay back the taxes so planning I’ve been planning accordingly. I will be out the money it cost to have the plan written and the DNR fee but oh well….. just like a bad night at the casino😂

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

Thanks Jeff! Planted some switch yesterday and sprayed a couple spots! It's that time of year!!! 👍

[@jamescoombs3880]

I appreciate your addressing the geographic differences regarding prescribed fire in the north and south. Following you from South Carolina. Learning that sometimes your advice applies and sometimes not so much. But the time and information is always appreciated!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you James, I really appreciate your perspective!

[@RS-ms1bz]

Jeff. Much appreciation for these monthly to do lists. I definitely like your to do lists better than my honey do lists, lol.

[@johncirilli6846]

I wanted to let your Mid Michigan followers know that Northwoods Whitetail seed is available at Backwoods Taxidermy in Quincy MI., Mike was very helpful.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Northwoods is awesome, I get all my seed from John except for the larger quantities like buckwheat, rye, oats etc. too much shipping and no retail near me. Grand Traverse County.

[@johncirilli6846]

@@stevedenoyer5956 this is my first year trying it out .I am really excited about it. I wanted to save on shipping as well , that is why I looked for dealer nearest to me that had the seed.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

@@johncirilli6846 you wont be disappointed -best of luck

[@jessemoore7696]

I agree with Jeff on southern deer management is a little different, but I've used his techniques and I have killed out here in Florida so his techniques travel pretty well. Planting dates are different because of the temperatures are so much higher down here later in the year.

[@bowman8316]

Great info, as always ! Is there a simple way to tell invasive phragmites from native ones ? Ty🦌

[@willieclark2256]

Grass ID is annoying even for botanists, your best option is to take a flowering plant to your local extension agent, or better yet have them come by the property to tell you exactly what you've got

[@andrewhoward8821]

I wish you would explain a little about North Carolina . Some tips on how make the deer better help on our type of habitat. Would Greatly appreciate

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

Old habits are hard to break. Most of my hunting neighbors continually practice the same bad hunting habits year after year but to my advantage. Great video as always!

[@drewharman1690]

Since I found your channel a couple years ago I watch nothing else! There is to much bad information out there that lead people astray and I feel like I can’t relate to over half the people cause they are in fantasy land states

[@DarkFiredDylan]

Same here!

[@stevoky]

I have found that when tsi for mature oaks has been practiced. It makes amazing areas for bedding when henge cut. But talking people into ripping those over is tough.

[@ronaldbabbs2015]

Jeff do you recommend cutting down your large cottonwood trees and birch trees as long as you don't spray the stumps?

[@gregallman3715]

Regarding Aspen, you mention don't kill it. Are you hinge cutting and or flush cutting instead to get the regen?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Flush cutting...a complete cut. Rarely if ever hinging it.

[@FredJoanis]

Not much i can do here still about 2 1/2 foot of snow in the woods… still a bit of alpha alpha left.. starting to think about salt licks for now…

[@dennybirchfield]

On my way to work I can't watch now I have to watch later but I am interested to see this video cause I guarantee you I made one of these mistakes

[@bucksbucksoutdooradventure4973]

Not exactly thinking much about deer hunting but I want to get that Pennsylvania grand slam, a buck a bear and a gobbler. I got the first two I just need to score with a Tom this spring

[@bucksbucksoutdooradventure4973]

Yep that’s how it always has been for me as well. The Pennsylvania game commission has added a lot more hunting opportunities over the last couple years

[@frankspataro9714]

I'm pretty sure the bums at the game commission don't give out the little plaques or award for doing the grandslam here anymore my uncle a few kids there slams but the last time he done it they don't award the recognition like before

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Controlled burns initially create herbaceous growth ,but you can control the non viable growth and promote early successional growth, shrubs, hardwood regen, briars etc.for example a red pine stand, cut the red pine down for harvest $, then burn off the needles. It will grow early successional and provide a lot of food and cover thru the entire area.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Steve! The bad thing is that many controlled burns in the woods are performed in shade. There is really no shade tree or shrub variety of any wildlofe value in the northern 1/3rd of the country, unfortunately. If you remove overstory you eliminate the need for a controlled burn in a wooded setting. However many are performing controlled burns in shade which is ineffective in a large portion of the country.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 understand where you're coming from

[@Mo75149-j]

Conservation department took a big south facing slope behing my place that was once mixed with cedars, oaks, and others. They fell 95% of the cedars, to restore the "Glade". Basically a oak savannah. Jeff's 100% right, it holds very little deer now. Seems like a good idea on paper, but it's not a great whitetail idea.

[@dannjohnsonZ28]

Jeff, would the benefits of converting my 5 acre apple orchard into bedding, outweigh the loss of the apples attraction(evening destination) ? I don't own enough acreage to establish depth of cover behind it.

[@brettbaker5599]

Put some conifers around the orchard, and have some areas with brambles in the orchard. It will turn into bedding.

[@dannjohnsonZ28]

@@brettbaker5599 Thanks that's actually my plan, not to remove the orchard but to stop leasing it out and allow it to become overgrown. Still producing some apples while adding screening and cover. It's almost impossible to hunt as is and there are other orchards nearby

[@jamessantora6052]

Good morning Jeff, So can conifers be treated as a food source? I have 64 acres upstate NY of dense hardwoods with one small food plot about .25 acre, year after year I see scrapes and heavy traffic and signs of feeding in this area of small conifers I have, with the lack of open space I don’t know weather to clear for a food plot or add more conifer. Thanks!

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

Conifers are great spots for thermal bedding areas! But, to have a quality food source you need to have food plots. Jeff's #1 thing to do when he got his new property was to plant food plots. I wouldn't necessarily cut them down, maybe add or expand your existing food plot. 👍

[@vincealdrich7960]

Timber harvest last year left multiple 10 acre Aspen stumps and roots. Is there any way to stop regrowth and allow some diversity to grow into half acre areas?

[@stevedenoyer5956]

You have to kill the stumps, aspen regen via the roots. In open ground 100’s if not thousands of new shoots will come up.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

In most situations you would never want to unless you have a large Monoculture. Then you can run a dozer thru the areas you want something else growing in and rip out/destroy the lateral root system.

[@vincealdrich7960]

It is a monoculture. That's why I want to add some diversity. Thanks guys!

[@Vcbatson]

Jeff Im curious how close the drone can get to the deer before they spook? That seemed much closer than I thought I could get but haven't tried it yet. Thank you and the crew for all the videos

[@RushOutdoors]

Not cutting in on Jeffs answer, but I have taken drones down to ten to twenty feet above or near the deer. Remember this also has allot to do with the size of the unit you are flying. I have found the small units which are less noisy smaller props and low prop RPM the deer seem to let you in closer. My larger drones seem to scare them I think pure noise, and size! Hope this helps. Sorry Didn't mean to cut in but have filmed deer with a drone for years! Hope this helps.

[@Vcbatson]

@@RushOutdoors thank you. What do you consider a smaller drone?

[@austinbjorge5771]

What if your woods is 99% oak?? Our property is an old cattle pasture and the only trees left are oak.

[@frankmuggeo9911]

In general if I am seeing rubs in an area, is that a good indicator of where they are bedding down or is this just a rub somewhere along their travel corridor?

[@Tryingyourbestatwhateveryoudo]

Just traveling through buddy but if you have a line of rubs wouldn't be a bad place to sit but make sure the sign stays fresh. That's my opinion

[@nicschaalma3508]

You hear often that you have to burn your switch every 3 years to keep it going. If you can mow to accomplish the same thing…. How often and when do mow the switch ?

[@dennybirchfield]

Every year about 10 in tall

[@nicschaalma3508]

@@dennybirchfield what time of year ?

[@dennybirchfield]

@@nicschaalma3508 according to Jeff late spring early summer to combat weeds. If weeds get taller than the switch he says it will shade it out and die. Hope that helps

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Noc...in early May your area...sometimes late April sometimes mod May. When weeds and switchgrass are about 10 to 12"

[@nicschaalma3508]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks Jeff. Loved having you out a few weeks ago. I couldn’t help myself. Putting in some of the plan yet this year. Lol

[@deadnorth8333]

I'm still riding sled

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha...plenty of time!

[@rickyprice9718]

Not a fan of prescribed burn hunt mostly public land they burnt an area i hunt 6 years ago and now able to hunt it like use too i myself would not do it

[@V1KTOR33]

Don’t mean to brag buuuutt... I got oaks.

[@ihus9950]

👍🏻🦌

[@suzmell1]

Lose the lions hat 😂

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Haha