Small Properties In Michigan

[gshepherd]

I am creating a thread for the two properties that I currently have permission to hunt and make land improvements on. As my thread progresses, in the next few years I’ll be having my own land to call my own! I gain so much insight by reading over these threads, and I am excited to start my own journey.
Side note: my uncle is Geo (formerly property in Iowa, then to Colorado, and now the beautiful state of Kentucky). Watching him create his special properties and all of the knowledge he puts into land management; I have become addicted to the thought of creating diamonds out of rough properties. I hope you will enjoy my thread!

 

[gshepherd]

So... long story short. I gained permission on 20 Acres of land surrounded by about 300 acres of Amish cow pastures and wooded swampland in 2016. It is about 16 acres of crp field with 5 acres of swamp and woods. To the north is a hay field and to the south is cow pasture. To the west is 200 acres of woods and swamp.For the first two years I did minimal work, as there is a lot of hunting pressure, dogs, Atvs, etc. safe to say it’s not the most prime set up. I have had chances on some good bucks, but for the most part nocturnal. Once gun season starts, it is usually as good as dead. In spring of 2019 the owner and I did a controlled burn of the CRP field. It ended up growing to above my head(I’m 6 foot 5 for reference). I created two no till food plots, cleaned up trails to create funnels as well. The woods has been control logged for years and has a mixture of opens woods and thick bedding. The cow pastures were once the bedding spot but have since been used for cows. The crp field has become the bedding, with deer heading to the alfalfa field to the north, the food plots, and or the monarch apple trees on the north property line. It is a pain to try and get to my tree stands located in the woods due to going through the crp fields mowed trails. There is an abundance of deer with some good mature bucks that make it through gun season by hiding in the thick cover of the woods. I have seen some good bucks on the hoof but have not had the opportunity for shots as wind is also a major factor in the equation. The no till food plots were planted with clover, rye, and alfalfa

 

[gshepherd]

The yellow is the food plots, the blue is the apple trees, and the black dots are designated tree stands. With prevailing winds coming out of the west, and with the seeming to be anywhere and everywhere; it is difficult to get back in there. Mornings are impossible as the deer are in the alfalfa field to the north, the food plots, and all over the crp field

 

[gshepherd]

Here are a few of the bucks coming and going. Camera located on the north property line under the apple tree.

 

[dogghr]

Side note: my uncle is Geo!

Or are you actually Geo just posing with an alias to manipulate another tract of land to add to his many accomplishments across this country, especially since I know he spends good quality time in that north land??? Seriously, sounds like a good small tract of land and they can certainly be the most productive. And if you are a friend/relative of Georges, then you are a friend of mine. Listen to him well. Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

[gshepherd]

Or are you actually Geo just posing with an alias to manipulate another tract of land to add to his many accomplishments across this country, especially since I know he spends good quality time in that north land??? Seriously, sounds like a good small tract of land and they can certainly be the most productive. And if you are a friend/relative of Georges, then you are a friend of mine. Listen to him well. Good luck and welcome aboard.

appreciate it Dogghr! Geo is a master of the craft for sure. I have been soaking up all of his knowledge and all of you other guys as well. I loved checking out the old QDMA forums as a kid.
I feel as though I sit at my work office all day everyday waiting to fire up a chainsaw and a till. Thanks for giving us young guys a look into how to bring to life beautiful properties. Look forward to being a part of the community.

 

[gshepherd]

Some photos of the property. First one is from mid August in main tree stand overlooking no till plot; southwest corner of crp field. The next are of the spring burn of the field, and lastly was a morning hunt on the ground this past weekend.

 

[George]

Hi g, welcome to the forum and kill something would you.

G