How to Set Up a Property for Hunting & Wildlife
Proper management is the key to getting the most from your hunting property. While most natural areas contain some wildlife, you can improve the variety of species and population density through good land management practices. Land management requires a thorough analysis of what your land offers the wildlife as well as what terrain and habitat features it lacks. By making the land's positive features more productive, and eliminating the negative aspects to make room for more beneficial habitat, land management techniques will make your land more attractive to wildlife and give you a better hunting experience.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Aerial photo or map
- Tree trimming equipment
- Farming implements
- Fertilizer
- Seeds for food plot
Instructions
-
Analyze and Improve Existing Terrain Features
-
1
Search the property to locate food sources, bedding and security areas, travel corridors and water sources. Food sources can be areas of low trees and shrubs; agricultural field crops such as corn, soybeans, and alfalfa; mast crops, such as acorns; and orchard fruit, such as apples, plums and pears. Any thick areas with dense cover can provide security and bedding areas.
-
2
Maintain natural openings such as small fields and food plots through mowing or prescribed burns. This will allow for new growth to sprout up and become more readily available food sources for the wildlife. Some species, such as deer, will use these fields more frequently if the perimeters are allowed to grow with thick vegetation. This edge cover makes deer feel more secure when entering the field. Plants, such as wild grapes and honeysuckle, provide cover and additional food sources and are ideal choices for edge cover.
-
-
3
Thin existing stands of mast-producing trees, such as oaks, every 10 to 20 years. This will allow the trees that remain to be more healthy and produce more acorns. It is also beneficial to thin out undesirable tree species since they compete for nutrients and sunlight. Creating a less dense tree canopy will also allow more sunlight to reach the ground, which helps small shrubs and other browse grow better.
Plant a Food Plot
-
4
Choose a location to add a food plot. If the food sources on your property are inadequate or not concentrated on any one area, it will be unproductive or difficult to hunt them. Adding a food plot will provide better nutrition and will concentrate the deer in one location, making them easier to hunt. The area for the plot should be one to five acres, irregularly shaped, and near security cover that hold deer during the daylight hours. Land that is level or gently rolling is easier to work, but it does not need to be perfectly flat.
-
5
Clear the brush and trees from the area to be planted. Spread and mix fertilizer in with the bare soil before planting the seed. The type and amount of fertilizer used varies depending on which crop you plant, but a standard 10-10-10 mix should be adequate. Some companies also make specialized fertilizers for specific use in food plots and depending on your situation these may be worth a try.
-
6
Plant the crop according to the directions on the package. Most seed companies will provide information regarding the depth and spread of seed planting. Some of the best crops to attract deer are clover, corn, brassicas, soybeans, and alfalfa. There are also proprietary mixes that are marketed for the specific use of wildlife food plots. Choose what works best in your climate and fits in your budget. Also, it helps to choose a crop that is relatively sparse in your area. You would not want to plant a plot of corn in an area surrounded by hundreds of acres of corn.
Setup For Hunting
-
7
Scout the food plots and other food and water sources for deer activity. Take note of all deer sign such as tracks, droppings and buck rubs on trees. You will want to focus your hunting efforts in the locations with the most activity.
-
8
Hang a stand or setup on the downwind side of the areas with the best sign. Deer have an incredible sense of smell so being downwind of their travel route will help you stay undetected.
-
9
Rotate through your available stands as the deer begin using different food sources. What they are eating early in the season may not be their preferred food later in the year. The goal of land management is to offer as much good habitat as possible so that you have more than one option during hunting season. Paying careful attention to the deer's habits will help all your hard work pay off.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A wildlife feeder can be a more cost effective way to attract animals to your hunting locations. The same rules apply regarding wind direction, access to security cover, and scouting for sign. Check local laws regarding the use of feeders during hunting season.
