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  1. MattJK

    2019 Lessons Learned

    I learned that deer will use the same trails and rubs in 8-12" of water.
  2. MattJK

    Tales and advice for the busy years

    Thanks for all the advice and affirmation. Anyone see success or unusual, positive results from a year they were less prepared or less active on the property?
  3. MattJK

    Tales and advice for the busy years

    Sounds like a great no effort food plot if they plant it to wheat.
  4. MattJK

    Tales and advice for the busy years

    Hello y'all! I haven't posted or been online much as this is looking like another busy year. Now I'm about to get on the road again for three weeks. After a busy year last year, I'd hoped to do more in the woods to get ready for the season but that hasn't happened. Honestly I would not change...
  5. MattJK

    Brush pile debris help

    How flat is your farm? While not ideal for wildlife, lots of my brush ends up in ravine points or drainages. It is surprisingly effective for erosion control.
  6. MattJK

    Adding another parcel to the farm..

    Document it is grazing lease only. If it was me, I'd also expect some rotation and limitations on timing of cattle in hunt able areas.
  7. MattJK

    Jump into managing this field? Or farm it for a few years?

    Also, a ditch on the property edge(s) with road frontage can be helpful to deter atv and truck trespassing. A berm and a ditch can be a barrier and a vision screen as well - helping with daytime deer movement as well as trespassing. Makes it easy to add a gate or chain to limit access where...
  8. MattJK

    Jump into managing this field? Or farm it for a few years?

    I'm suggesting you only smooth some of those areas. And create or enlarge a water hole. Without seeing the pattern, I'd envision keeping two ditches at 90 degrees near the perimeter of the field and having them connect at a new water hole. Smooth everything else.
  9. MattJK

    Jump into managing this field? Or farm it for a few years?

    Great thread. If your goal is habitat, why level all of it? I'd speculate that at least a few ditches could improve drainage or at least provide some variety for plants that like wet feet. Better still if you can let a few ditches drain into a water hole or small pond made by the dozer guy who...
  10. MattJK

    GLY on Ash stumps?

    Food coloring or sprayer dye. I'll use gly/diesel with dye. If I wait a few days or more, a spud, spade or machete can quickly nick up the bark ring and still get a good kill.
  11. MattJK

    Asset management or justification for toys?

    Good comments that align with my thoughts. Giving time as well as treasure covers Chainsaws sentiment too. I'm thinking that land may continue to fall as Illinois implodes. As I haven't let up on 401k, funds or stocks, God willing, I'll be poised to pick up more acres for the same cash. Lots...
  12. MattJK

    Asset management or justification for toys?

    Honestly that's a big part of the bias towards equipment vs acres. I could take equipment with me if I decide to leave. But my job is here for now. Land prices are also falling. I think somewhat because of the exodus from the state and possibly somewhat in anticipation of more taxation.
  13. MattJK

    Asset management or justification for toys?

    Totally agree on the depreciation notion which is also a tool to protect income. I'd use the equipment to strengthen the legitimacy of my own farm business by contracting out and reducing my use of rental or contracting in work.
  14. MattJK

    Asset management or justification for toys?

    First, I'll admit I may be flirting with politics or being off topic so I will understand if this post disappears.... It's pretty clear to me as an American and Illinoisan that taxes will rise, and that those perceived to have wealth are in for a rough ride. Most of us here will be perceived...
  15. MattJK

    Some questions about white tail beahvior

    Lots of good and some fun ideas. I'd suggest improvements to fencing. I use t posts and 5' garden fence. Theoretically they can jump it but seldom will jump into a confined space. I also tear down and re set fence every year. This fence could be topped with a single wire, with fishing line...
  16. MattJK

    making dirt?

    Lots of three legged dogs once met a sickle bar mower. I use a flail mower - an old Brady stalk chopper - but I still want a sickle bar mower. I am convinced that some seed is damaged with flail or bush hog mowing.
  17. MattJK

    Heat in a cabin

    Add a web enabled switch and you can pre warm it.
  18. MattJK

    Is it too much to ask???

    Ok. I've been thinking about this.... If I use window screen to make a 4' dia protective structure, is it a tube or a cage? If I take that last wrap of a roll of concrete mesh, perhaps 6" in diameter, and plop it over a tree, did I cage or tube it? How many perforated plastic tubes have to...
  19. MattJK

    Buffalo gnats

    I know! I had to add the quotes. Almost made a joke but figured that would be a lightning rod! I will say if you check out with four bottles and a case of beer, you will get funny looks.
  20. MattJK

    Buffalo gnats

    The gnats are bad by the river. We use a vanilla "body fantasies" spray from Walmart.
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