2021 North Central Wisconsin “Lake Farm” - 35 acres on two lakes and surrounded by National Forest

[Travis Aasen]

Spent a little time in the woods this weekend. Was hoping for more, but needed some quality time cleaning up around the cottage. The previous owners never tossed stuff out. Just tossed it behind the shed or in the woods. Each weekend i bring home a few contractor bags of stuff(stuff that doesn’t burn). Enough rant!

This is what i wanted to share...

Was going through a section of my property and stumbled on this bedding area. Take a look at the sheer amount of deer piles?

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[lakngolf]

You need to install a Porta Potty for them in that area

 

[gut_pile]

wow...never seen anything like that before

 

[Native Hunter]

Some nice fertilizer. Good place to plant something.

 

[Travis Aasen]

Update Sunday, March 28:

Yesterday I had Randy VanderVeen (Strategic Habitat) out on my property to scout, evaluate and come up with a hunting, food plot, bedding plan. I know many of you think these habitat guys are snake oil, but I needed to start somewhere. Yes, I have the basics, but I wanted another "eye" and "opinions" dedicated to improve my hunting. I just turned 50 this year (Scary birthday for me) and really want to make sure I develop this property the right way since it has so much potential. Randy was absolutely fantastic to work with. Not an ounce of arrogance like many of us observe with some of these habitat gurus, which was one of the reasons I chose Randy. Yes, I have the basics, but I wanted another "eye" and "opinions" dedicated to improve my hunting.

I will say his stand placement was far superior to what I had in mind. Who am I to judge - I have NO wall hangers in 38 years of hunting! My food plot will double in size, but that's just because of the volume of deer and my plans for the property. The main food plot will probably be around an acre connected to another 1/2 acre plot. My biggest issue is the land is just not level.. Not sure I want a dozer or if I'll try to do some leveling on my own. The plan will also include two orchards which will include crab apples and hybrid chestnuts.

When the final plan is developed I'll share the PDF so it's easier to follow along with my journey. We all like pictures and diagrams!

I ended yesterday with 2 hours of tree clearing for the food plots before the rain/sleet was setting in.

 

[Travis Aasen]

This was the starting location for the large food plot which will stretch to the left of this picture. This slopes down to the Tamarack swamp - about 200 yards. 150 yards in front of this is a bedding location on a peninsula.

In front of the future food plot is packed densely with white spruce and balsams (which seem to grow like weeds). Next year I will put a nice redneck blind 5' up on the corner of the plot set back about 15 yards in those spruce and balsams. Those damn Rednecks are nice, but man they are not a cheap date!

Couple hours later I ended with this. Yes, I have a long way to go, but its a start

Piles of tree carcass'.

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[Travis Aasen]

Another angle

Nice rub leading into this future plot.

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[Native Hunter]

Update Sunday, March 28:

Yesterday I had Randy VanderVeen (Strategic Habitat) out on my property to scout, evaluate and come up with a hunting, food plot, bedding plan. I know many of you think these habitat guys are snake oil, but I needed to start somewhere. Yes, I have the basics, but I wanted another "eye" and "opinions" dedicated to improve my hunting. I just turned 50 this year (Scary birthday for me) and really want to make sure I develop this property the right way since it has so much potential. Randy was absolutely fantastic to work with. Not an ounce of arrogance like many of us observe with some of these habitat gurus, which was one of the reasons I chose Randy. Yes, I have the basics, but I wanted another "eye" and "opinions" dedicated to improve my hunting.

I will say his stand placement was far superior to what I had in mind. Who am I to judge - I have NO wall hangers in 38 years of hunting! My food plot will double in size, but that's just because of the volume of deer and my plans for the property. The main food plot will probably be around an acre connected to another 1/2 acre plot. My biggest issue is the land is just not level.. Not sure I want a dozer or if I'll try to do some leveling on my own. The plan will also include two orchards which will include crab apples and hybrid chestnuts.

When the final plan is developed I'll share the PDF so it's easier to follow along with my journey. We all like pictures and diagrams!

I ended yesterday with 2 hours of tree clearing for the food plots before the rain/sleet was setting in.

It never hurts to have another set of eyes on a hunting property. You’re off to a good start.

I would like to know more about the hybrid chestnuts he is recommending. Are they just Dunstans or something different?

 

[Travis Aasen]

It never hurts to have another set of eyes on a hunting property. You’re off to a good start.

I would like to know more about the hybrid chestnuts he is recommending. Are they just Dunstans or something different?

I'll let you know once I receive the report and plan. They're probably more of a Zone4 variety and not as exciting as the chestnuts you folks a little south of us get to plant.

 

[Travis Aasen]

Spending the next 5 days cutting in the food plots and trails. Good progress today. I have skidster arriving on wednesday to level and pry up som stumps.

Im still not great at identifying trees. Does anyone know what these buds are? These trees all seem to grow in 3’s

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[Travis Aasen]

Saturday progress

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[Dogshooter]

Those are red maple. Aka “soft maple”

 

[Travis Aasen]

5 days of hard work in the snow and rain- Love WI weather! The food plot is coming along, but won't be ideal year 1. I guess Rome wasn't built in a year...

First observation as I cut trees and opened up canopy. IT'S A LOT OF WORK! I switched to my 20” ms291 saw which cut twice as fast as my ms170, but weighs probably 3x as much. Paying the price today..whew I feel wrecked!

What did I truly accomplish?
Dropped countless trees -
Hinge cut some bedding with maples. Bedding will be another 2 day cut.
Made a huge mess of piles of branches, stumps and logs at the edge of the food plot. It'll take years to get that all cleaned up IMHO.
Trail system is in for the clover 300-400 yards total is my guess. - just my south east/ south west piece of the property.

I still have 3 huge oaks that need to be dropped and cut up at some point. The whole thing looks like a mess.

The Skidster had its work cut out in the 6 hours. Honestly, I needed him for another 6 hours.

Pictures

Trail system deep in the pines. Will be opening up canopy along the way- week by week.

Trail system on-site end of the property.

The food plot ......some in the snow, some in the rain... damn stumps. The Skidster was too small. I started cutting them level and will probably rent a grinder.

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[George]

Isn't Randy Jake's side kick? They make for a pretty good comedy duo. If that is who I'm thinking of Jake, Jim, and Randy have got one wall mount between all of them in 38 years. I could be wrong they may be slaying them in recent years? Tony is the Guru, they are his fallen out disciples. Don't plant autumn olives.

G

 

[Travis Aasen]

Isn't Randy Jake's side kick? They make for a pretty good comedy duo. If that is who I'm thinking of Jake, Jim, and Randy have got one wall mount between all of them in 38 years. I could be wrong they may be slaying them in recent years? Tony is the Guru, they are his fallen out disciples. Don't plant autumn olives.

G

George, I did mention above that many of you feel these guys are snake oil. That's OK, but honestly, not sure your post is appropriate unless you have first hand knowledge of these gentleman? I'm certainly not going to get into a debate over who is a better habitat consultant. WHo has shot bigger bucks? They all have pro's and con's. One man's pariah is another mans fool. I was more than comfortable with that tree branch of Randy/Jim/Jake.

 

[Travis Aasen]

Back to our originally scheduled programming...

Tools of the trade....

Love this polar trailer (tough as nails and hauls a ton) and rear cargo box for my atv! Keep a lot of stuff in it! Little “Ax” picture porn for those of you that may like axes lije i do.

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[weekender21]

Back to our originally scheduled programming...

Tools of the trade....

Love this polar trailer (tough as nails and hauls a ton) and rear cargo box for my atv! Keep a lot of stuff in it! Little “Ax” picture porn for those of you that may like axes lije i do.

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We have the single axle polar trailer, excellent piece of equipment. Nice ax.


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[Travis Aasen]

2.5 weeks buckwheat photos. First year plot. Liquid Lime, fertilizer, and calcuim.
Still needs some tlc. Feel like the plot will take years to develop. Burning stumps each weekend.


Hybrid oaks growing like weeds.

Have a nice video to share of the kill plot which leads to the main food plot


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[lakngolf]

I like those plots tucked away in the woods. Good luck

 

[Travis Aasen]

Video Tour of this new kill plot leading to my main food plot. Still need to take down trees, but I probably cut and clean up a couple dozen each weekend.