Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[xraydaniel]

I took 2 does in 2019 in a newly opened zone for watershed protection. Deer populations are huge in highly populated areas around here. They have their safe spots, food plots, and corridors undisturbed because of the population density of homes. Well, the deer were and still are overbrowsing the watershed to the extent that it was starting to compromise drinking water access to millions of people. I don’t shoot does anywhere but those kind of hunts where the population is very large. Did a mount out of one of em. I also have a shed I gotta do a euro mount on as well.

 

[djg james]

I took 2 does in 2019 in a newly opened zone for watershed protection. Deer populations are huge in highly populated areas around here. They have their safe spots, food plots, and corridors undisturbed because of the population density of homes. Well, the deer were and still are overbrowsing the watershed to the extent that it was starting to compromise drinking water access to millions of people. I don’t shoot does anywhere but those kind of hunts where the population is very large. Did a mount out of one of em. I also have a shed I gotta do a euro mount on as well.
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How'd you get the skull so clean? I've got a nice rack/skull that I found this Spring that still has hair/etc on it.

 

[Brufab]

Up north where we have a place the does are so thick. But getting antlerless permits are not so much. I feel bad in winter because they are real rough looking and probly running out of available browse. I mean in winter when your in the woods doesn't even look like anything could survive.

 

[xraydaniel]

What specifically do you do to improve the habitat? Since we are in the same geographic region, I would be interested in knowing what is working for you.

We used to have a lot more deer up there, but I think part of the problem is poaching. There are too many logging roads, and no year round residents. It is well known that a lot of the tree guys and bluestone guys have 22s or 22mags, and I'm sure some folks on ATVs do the same thing. You almost NEVER see a deer when you are driving in or out, or on the ATV. That has to tell you something. It is sort of the opposite of the deer not being afraid of tractors!

Seems there are fewer coyotes than there used to be, but more bears, and the bears could be part of the problem.

I think poaching is a major issue round here. I’m doing a selective cut this winter to encourage understory growth because my woodlot has very little browse due to poorly managed woods over the last 70 years. The canopy is too dense. I may do some hinge cuts too. There is also the plan in the longer term to clear cut a section for rye grass or some other feed but that is capital intensive and beyond my budget right now. There are a lot of Federal and state grants and cost shares for these types of things but you have to get all your ducks in a row to accomplish it yet alone be approved for the reimbursement.

 

[xraydaniel]

How'd you get the skull so clean? I've got a nice rack/skull that I found this Spring that still has hair/etc on it.

Power washer and salon grade hydrogen peroxide.

 

[xraydaniel]

Up north where we have a place the does are so thick. But getting antlerless permits are not so much. I feel bad in winter because they are real rough looking and probly running out of available browse. I mean in winter when your in the woods doesn't even look like anything could survive.

So true man. I’m very particular about how I hunt nowadays.

 

[Brufab]

I think poaching is a major issue round here. I’m doing a selective cut this winter to encourage understory growth because my woodlot has very little browse due to poorly managed woods over the last 70 years. The canopy is too dense. I may do some hinge cuts too. There is also the plan in the longer term to clear cut a section for rye grass or some other feed but that is capital intensive and beyond my budget right now. There are a lot of Federal and state grants and cost shares for these types of things but you have to get all your ducks in a row to accomplish it yet alone be approved for the reimbursement.

If you can get red clover seed i would frost seed any areas that are bare. Works wonders and clover is the best bang for the buck nutrition wise. I planted it wjere it would be in shade in summer but if you frost seed it's growing before leaves are out. Once established doesn't need much light

 

[Brufab]

Frost seeded clover already growing before the leaves are out. As you can see lots of brush trees around the plot is n s orientated I also been doing the hinge cut stuff and works good.

 

[xraydaniel]

Passive management of wood lots around here coupled with very little successional growth for so many years have really hurt the population of deer. Back in the 50’s there were almost no deer. Gradually we have taken care of better land management, land purchases, and active management but DCR is known to be very careless in how the forests are managed for habitat. Seriously we just need to clear cut it all for more variety and better habitat. Ain’t no grouse round here either.

 

[xraydaniel]

Frost seeded clover already growing before the leaves are out. As you can see lots of brush trees around the plot is n s orientated I also been doing the hinge cut stuff and works good.

Nice work!

And a clean shot lane

 

[Brufab]

The deer love the clover. Usually after a doe has a fawn its in the plot withing 24 hours.

 

[dboyd351]

Guess different places have different management issues. There are so many deer in Virginia some counties require you to take at least one anterless deer before you are allowed to take a buck. But back in the 40s and 50s there were NO deer here in the Eastern Shore.

 

[MustangMike]

The canopy is not the problem up on my property. In fact, there were a lot more deer when it was in tact.

A tornado touched down on my 50 acres a few decades ago and wiped out about 40% of my trees. After that, successive bad storms have kept taking down mature, unprotected trees. Many years it seems like more trees are lost than grow.

As a result, my property (which used to get logged every 10 years) has not been logged since 1995. I've got some trees that are ready, but they are few and far between. (Mostly Ash and Cherry, a few Maples [Red + Sugar] and a few Red Oak). Also, maybe a very few Beech and Birch (Black + Yellow) are large enough. Don't see any White Oak, Hickory, Locust or Tulip up there.

 

[muddstopper]

Growing up, you seldom would see a deer. I was in high school before I ever saw a wild turkey. Now they are every where. Wife hit a deer with the car right before I went on my hunt. I was hunting out east, but I swear we have more deer here at home than they do out there. Deer are bigger here too. I watched two does out of my deer stand condo this evening. One laid down next to my bait pile. Depredation is a big deal around home now. I can legally shoot 5 deer, either sex, without a licence or permit, but they have to be eating my plants, which they do. I could have killed one or both does today, but I am waiting on a certain buck I have pics of. I have pics of a good 8pt, a good 6pt, a small 6 point, a five point and a spike that look like antelope horns and a button buck. All on the same trail camera, all within 60 yards from my drive way.

 

[Logger nate]

Well no deer for me this year. Still hunting cow elk (short range weapon season) until end of the month.
My buddy cut a nice red fir, hauled one load out and wasn’t sure if he could get the rest in one load so he invited me along. First trip out with the “new” pickup, 99 with the 7.3. Sorry guys but the ole blue and white Ford went to a new owner hopefully I don’t get banned from the site. Old truck was going to need some work (buyer was informed of issues) and was able to sell it for more than I paid for new one. I miss the old one but this one is nicer to drive and hopefully won’t need much attention for awhile. Loaded the top section in my pickup my buddy prefers the larger rounds and I like the smaller ones so worked out well.

 

[LondonNeil]

We are all going to miss your old truck!

 

[Brufab]

So jealous.... to have a bar buried like that in some fir!

 

[xraydaniel]

The canopy is not the problem up on my property. In fact, there were a lot more deer when it was in tact.

A tornado touched down on my 50 acres a few decades ago and wiped out about 40% of my trees. After that, successive bad storms have kept taking down mature, unprotected trees. Many years it seems like more trees are lost than grow.

As a result, my property (which used to get logged every 10 years) has not been logged since 1995. I've got some trees that are ready, but they are few and far between. (Mostly Ash and Cherry, a few Maples [Red + Sugar] and a few Red Oak). Also, maybe a very few Beech and Birch (Black + Yellow) are large enough. Don't see any White Oak, Hickory, Locust or Tulip up there.

Good feedback for me Mike. I’ve had the same disasters present by looking at the story my woods have to tell. All the evidence of a select cut over 50-60 years ago, fire damage, and wind/storm damage.

My lot is very oak dominant. Beech is dominant but not as much as the oak and EWP. A lot of the beeches are dying from the bark disease but they also crowd out the oak seedlings which are innumerable from the excellent mast production we’ve had the past 2-3 years. Very few ash and white oak with moderate hemlock, birch, cherry, and maple. No hickory or locust here.

It definitely needs a cut.

 

[Brufab]

Small maples I have found to be the bast at hinge cutting and the deer prefer the tips of the branches better than all others. I have felled small trees for winter browse maple oak popple. Popple was least preferred.

 

[svk]

Morning fellows. It’s a brisk 46 degrees at the beach this morning. Going to do some riding around today. Trying to find a southern rust free car for my son and no luck so far. The only ones we are finding are at used car lots and the premises are….shady.