Even if the deer leave the area in question the benefits from the logging plus water from the pond in the future will be well worth it. They will be back sooner than you think especially a roaming buck looking for love.
Upcoming farm projects
Decided to pull the trigger and have a few big projects done on our farm. The majority of our farm is white oak timber with scattered cedar thickets, pipeline easement and numerous 1/2 to 1 acre food plots. My wife keeps reminding me the only thing missing is a fishing pond.
I met with a logger this week and we are going to have the white oak timber logged. I figured this would help thicken up the bedding areas and will bring in some income for a pond project.
The logger said they hope to start towards the end of September and guessed it will take 3-4 weeks. He said if it gets too close to deer season they will stop and start back up later. I don't do much early season bow hunting but like most enjoy being in a stand the end of October. What would you all think would be a cutoff date that they would need to stop by? Our farm lays in the middle of a pretty good vine of timber so I am hoping deer that get pushed out from the logging will filter right back in as soon as it calms down. Our timber is pretty hilly with lots of ravines the deer love to hide in.
The plans for the pond is it will be built next spring. Shooting for a 1 1/2 to 2 acre pond that we will stock when ready. Only problem with where the pond is going is its timber so will have the cost of clearing the timber out. Without shooting the water line right now guessing it will be 15' deep. Should I put any kind of structure in for the fish before it starts to fill up? A few root balls from trees they remove?
I hope all of this doesn't effect this deer season too much but if it does a little I think it will all be worth it in the long run.
I met with a logger this week and we are going to have the white oak timber logged. I figured this would help thicken up the bedding areas and will bring in some income for a pond project.
The logger said they hope to start towards the end of September and guessed it will take 3-4 weeks. He said if it gets too close to deer season they will stop and start back up later. I don't do much early season bow hunting but like most enjoy being in a stand the end of October. What would you all think would be a cutoff date that they would need to stop by? Our farm lays in the middle of a pretty good vine of timber so I am hoping deer that get pushed out from the logging will filter right back in as soon as it calms down. Our timber is pretty hilly with lots of ravines the deer love to hide in.
The plans for the pond is it will be built next spring. Shooting for a 1 1/2 to 2 acre pond that we will stock when ready. Only problem with where the pond is going is its timber so will have the cost of clearing the timber out. Without shooting the water line right now guessing it will be 15' deep. Should I put any kind of structure in for the fish before it starts to fill up? A few root balls from trees they remove?
I hope all of this doesn't effect this deer season too much but if it does a little I think it will all be worth it in the long run.
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When I was having my place logged, the logger told me he saw a giant bedded in a fresh cut tree top. A couple days later a guy hunting my farm killed that thing. This was a 6.5+ year old deer. You wont run them all out.
personally I'd like to have 2 week cushin before I go out . but if I had my druthers I'd just tell him to come after Thanksgiving then have at it
My place is being logged now. There are fresh tracks of all sizes through out the logging roads. White Oak is pretty high right now.
That's what I hear. White Oak is pretty high right now.
I would have them finish up regardless of deer season. oak prices are great right now. Get the best price you can and it will give you more money for that pond and other upgrades around the farm. Good Luck
I am going to ask the logger to start at the back side of my farm and work towards the front. Figure that way parts of the farm will calm back down as they finish.
I had a forester in and did a 25 acre TSI in the middle of my farm last year. Each day he said deer would walk calmly by him as he worked.
I had a forester in and did a 25 acre TSI in the middle of my farm last year. Each day he said deer would walk calmly by him as he worked.
I have to wonder if that big Jim Beam fire didn't make white oak prices jump a bit
They have been high all spring .I have to wonder if that big Jim Beam fire didn't make white oak prices jump a bit
My cutter likes to start at the farthest point & work his way out . Easier to work away from the mess of tops .I am going to ask the logger to start at the back side of my farm and work towards the front. Figure that way parts of the farm will calm back down as they finish.
I had a forester in and did a 25 acre TSI in the middle of my farm last year. Each day he said deer would walk calmly by him as he worked.
Just curious how many acres you having cut ? Deer season will be here in a blink of the eye. I don't think mine will be done by then.
Not a pond architect by any means, but I would have it dug out, maybe terraced in some areas and put structure in before it starts filling,
seems deer like what the chainsaw sounds end up bringing to the forest floor.
seems deer like what the chainsaw sounds end up bringing to the forest floor.
Total farm is 235 acres but I would estimate the white oak timber acreage is 180. They are doing more of a select cut and not raping it. Logging roads are already in place and they will not be cutting by chainsaw. The area they will cut thin is where the lake is going since all of those trees will be removed anyways.My cutter likes to start at the farthest point & work his way out . Easier to work away from the mess of tops .
Just curious how many acres you having cut ? Deer season will be here in a blink of the eye. I don't think mine will be done by then.
I have a guy clearing out all the cedar on my place right now, because I hate it and want it all gone. He's been in there since Late January and is making awesome progress, but he has a lot more work to do. I told him to keep cutting, and I'll just hunt around him. Personally I look at it as giving up one season for mediocre hunting to have lots of seasons of great hunting in the future.
Select cut equals leave all the crooked trees. If you want your children and grandchildren to log it this is what I would do. After you have it logged go in and do a timber stand improvement. Get rid of the non selected trees and give the straight ones room to grow and hopefully 20 years down the road you can sell some more timber.Total farm is 235 acres but I would estimate the white oak timber acreage is 180. They are doing more of a select cut and not raping it. Logging roads are already in place and they will not be cutting by chainsaw. The area they will cut thin is where the lake is going since all of those trees will be removed anyways.
FYI. You won’t have turkey hunting worth a **** for 20 years.
I may be proven wrong but I am not too worried about the turkey hunting. I have a lot of big hollow white oak trees perfect for roosting. They won't be touched by the logger. Problem I had this year is they hung up in the timber. Maybe this will force them onto my many logging roads or food plots. The turkey population is pretty good in my area!!!!
Mine is selective cutting also . He is cutting some of those crooked trees. If you can get an 8 footer it's good for pallet lumber . Hollow trees coming down to. Got to make room for the smaller quality trees to grow. But he is leaving marketable trees for a 5 to 10 year future cut . Leaving trees that I could have cut now or next year if I need emergency money. Selective cutting is a good thing.
yea even with a very selective cut mine has taken a hit..not blaming it 100% ion the cut but it didn't help.. seems the roosting trees were on the cut listFYI. You won't have turkey hunting worth a **** for 20 years.
For those who have had a select logging job done. What differences have you seen in your deer hunting? If it has improved, how long did it take it to improve?
I am very happy with my deer and turkey numbers right now but can only think with the tree tops and thickining of the understory the bedding will improve even more.
I am very happy with my deer and turkey numbers right now but can only think with the tree tops and thickining of the understory the bedding will improve even more.
our deep woods hunting is much better
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