Dad's woods just timbered out, what to expect?

[NKhunter]

Up here in Auglaize County. Dad just had 43 large oaks, Hickory and Hard Maples taken out of his woods like he does every 10-15 years. The woods is about 20 acres attached to another 20acre woods. There is a good representation of aged trees and undergrowth, but it has been getting thinner the past couple years. Used to be you couldn't hardly walk through because of all the briars. So obviously it holds deer now and then, but not consistently enough for my taste. Every year we take a deer or two out of here and see sightings throughout the bow and gun season. Is there anything I should do with these tree tops? Just let nature take its course? I'm planning on putting some turnip/rape/kale/milo on the west side of the woods where the logging trails all lead out of towards an old overgrown pasture. Hopefully the deer follow these out to my turnips this winter after a couple frosts and my kids have some good sightings/hunting. I'm also planning on putting 4 apple trees a year for the next couple years on the old pasture side of the woods. My thought is to keep the actual woods a sanctuary and hunt the fringes as the deer come out to feed or cruise for does. Thoughts?

[Full Rut]

With more sunlight it obviously will get thicker , more browse deer prefer as it grows in next year. A sanctuary is always good and thicker is better. You mentioned "west side" of the woods, I think you should consider the normal wind and your travel routes to and from stands.

[XX78]

You could stack the tops to create funnels if you wanted to direct the deer's movement. It can be a pain, but I can see where it could be effective.

[jackalope]

Go in after this season find the natural funnels the deer used this season and clear areas you would like to hunt. Also clear a trail to your stand sites keeping the wind direction in mind. If you don't do this, chances are next summer this area will grow out of control with weeds, briars and mixed tops everywhere... Better to go in next spring and cut the wood out of the way to make trails and stand sites rather than deal with trying to make a trail through overgrowth and mixed tops. Then all you'll have to worry with is the weeds on your trails and stand locations. both can be kept back with brush killer.. let the rest grow up naturally and only hunt these few sites. do it right and you may just have a little deer magnet during next season, with does looking for good cover and bucks not far behind.

[Deehntr56]

All the downed trees will create some great bedding areas, and some of it will be inaccessible or very difficult to ge into.

the newly found sunlight will help grow some new vegation,a nd in some cases you can set up a few food plots in these hard to get areas.....great for some mid day hunting when deer leave near by bedding areas to get a snack.

We experienced that on one of our properties......

[BuckeyeBill]

One of the properties I hunt was timbered 5 years ago. The first season was tough as we didn't have time to figure out travel routes and bedding ares as they changes from previous years. (the timbering wasn't completed until a week after bow season opened). After some post season scouting and checking things prior to the next season, we were able to pattern deer movement alot better. Since the land was timbered, we have seen more deer as new vegetation emerged.

Another property is being logged this summer. Hopefully they'll be done in the next week or two. We've been in there and it appears the deer are using the area as much as ever. I'm sure they're browsing the tops and leaves they couldn't get to before. We've already got a couple of stand sites picked out. Hopefully they'll be good come deer season.

[buckstar25]

Leave it alone, if you are planning o the sanctuary idea. We have 55 acres, and had it timbered in 98, I have only maintained the skidder roads, nothing else. Succession takes time, and over that time you will notice the deer will be utilizing the edges created by the new growth, one thing to keep in mind is in the spring try and get in there and cut out your maple trees.

[NKFD13]

I think you should let your friends hunt it and see how they do:bouncy:

[NKhunter]

I think you should let your friends hunt it and see how they do:bouncy:

I don't want the deer scared into the next county.

[coonskinner]

I Agree With Leaving It Alone,besides Its Too Close To Season To Be Doing A Lot Of Work There...if There Is Acorns In The Tops Laying On The Ground The Deer Will Be All Over That!!!personally I'd Not Touch Em...let Them Rot Where They Are...also In A Couple Years,new Growth Will Be Everywhere Now That Sunlight Can Get To The Forest Floor Providing Thick Cover Deer Like...the Place Will Get Better...hopefully Your Dad Does Not Let Them Take All The Trees...many Wont Let Them Cut Trees Under A Certain Diameter Like 22"...this Leaves Plenty Of Oaks And Trees That Bear Fruit For The Forest Animals...and It Will Let The Forest Regrow New Trees...let It Go Naturally...the Hunting Will Get Better...:d

[jackalope]

I Agree With Leaving It Alone,besides Its Too Close To Season To Be Doing A Lot Of Work There...if There Is Acorns In The Tops Laying On The Ground The Deer Will Be All Over That!!!personally I'd Not Touch Em...let Them Rot Where They Are...also In A Couple Years,new Growth Will Be Everywhere Now That Sunlight Can Get To The Forest Floor Providing Thick Cover Deer Like...the Place Will Get Better...hopefully Your Dad Does Not Let Them Take All The Trees...many Wont Let Them Cut Trees Under A Certain Diameter Like 22"...this Leaves Plenty Of Oaks And Trees That Bear Fruit For The Forest Animals...and It Will Let The Forest Regrow New Trees...let It Go Naturally...the Hunting Will Get Better...:d

Clean out your dang Pm box coonie...... Sheesh lol

[coonskinner]

Clean out your dang Pm box coonie...... Sheesh lol

well i'll try it fills up as fast as i clean it!!!:dizzy:

sidebar...its been cleaned out,my garage is next...

[trkyslyr]

As far as whitetail habitat goes, you would be much better served to leave the oaks, and remove the trees that are competing for nutrients and canopy. The acorns will get sweeter and the production will explode. If the owner needs the money from the trees, then the next best option would be to make sure that the treetops are left. When a woods is timbered, even lightly, and the treetops are left, the deer will be bedding in there within days. It provides a great sense of security for the deer.