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howboutthemdawgs

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crap! Part of my property was an old cattle pasture, best I can gather about 30 years ago. The previous owner (I bought in January) would maintain certain open areas as pseudo food plots and roads and just random clearings. The areas the were left alone have grown up in junk in my opinion. Autumn olive, winged sumac, red bud, poplar, cedar, brush honeysuckle, etc. I’m sure there are a few random small oaks interspersed as well, but I haven’t dove head first into most of it cause it pretty thick. So my question is, in the areas that are former openings (I’ve planted about 6 acres of it) what good what I do to let it return to it “natural” state when I can already see the outcome? Am I missing something or is it inevitable to be filled with more crap if I let them go?
I understand the importance of cover, yet I feel I have a good bit already. I’m just trying to maximize every acre.
 
Do you have a good feel for the deer on your place and their patterns? Going in right off the bat without knowing the place real well might not let you know if your changes achieved what you were after. What about controlled burns? Burning areas like you described can set woody plants back and create positive habitat results. It's my opinion that deer don't react to burns as an intrusion like they do people planting plots it clearing brush. Just an idea...

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Do you have a good feel for the deer on your place and their patterns? Going in right off the bat without knowing the place real well might not let you know if your changes achieved what you were after. What about controlled burns? Burning areas like you described can set woody plants back and create positive habitat results. It's my opinion that deer don't react to burns as an intrusion like they do people planting plots it clearing brush. Just an idea...

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Unfortunately I don’t have a good idea yet as I haven’t hunted it for deer. But I like your idea about fire. Thrown around the idea in some of the grown up areas but may be a better idea for the open areas. Thanks
 
If you’ve got a lot of crap (especially AO and JBH), and you let it all go, you’ll end up with more crap. I would plant “some” good stuff that you’ll want to see going forward. I wouldn’t waste time planting every foot with good stuff, just create (and protect) a “seed bank” that the birds can spread for you, or that will sucker and create thickets. And at the same time, identify and eliminate the non-native invasives with extreme prejudice. It will be a never ending battle, but it’s necessary, and worth it.


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I've got a property that was a cattle pasture 40 years ago. It has grown into small areas that are 50% pasture and 50% crap. Last year I used a tractor with a brush hog and front end loader to push over and then brush hog the junk, careful to retain cover for access to blinds. Then I planted varieties of oak, chestnut, and soft mast trees in clearings. Starting small with plans to expand. The results were definitely an improvement and hope that the trees will grow well. Endeavor to persevere, albeit .. slowly.. :)
 
Unfortunately I don’t have a good idea yet as I haven’t hunted it for deer. But I like your idea about fire. Thrown around the idea in some of the grown up areas but may be a better idea for the open areas. Thanks
I like fire to manipulate habitat. I don't know Georgia at all so your area may be different, but in general woody species will come back after a fire but it will be from root and the new growth will be much more palatable than previously. Spring burns tend to promote grasses, fall burns tend towards forbs. Regular burns can get things under control pretty easily but this isn't always the case for invasives. Spreading cereal grains and legumes after a spring burn (during rainy season) can give you great plots with no equipment. Good luck on your new place!
 
I like fire to manipulate habitat. I don't know Georgia at all so your area may be different, but in general woody species will come back after a fire but it will be from root and the new growth will be much more palatable than previously. Spring burns tend to promote grasses, fall burns tend towards forbs. Regular burns can get things under control pretty easily but this isn't always the case for invasives. Spreading cereal grains and legumes after a spring burn (during rainy season) can give you great plots with no equipment. Good luck on your new place!

Thank you. My property is actually in western ky but I live in Ga. I’m also going to rent a skid steer at some point and go crazy in knocking down what I can of the existing crap...like tree fan did. Baby steps right!!!
 
The one that I’d be most motivated to do something about would be the autumn olive.


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Dr. Craig Harper has a lot of experience in that area. I'd listen to some of the videos and podcasts featuring him. I have about 17 acres of field that I'm considering transitioning parts of it at least to early successional plant communities.
 
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