Do-It-Yourself Habitat

Sometimes all you need is a chainsaw. Managing your property's forest is just as important as food plots when it comes to improved habitat for deer and other wildlife. With the use of a chainsaw and some field time, there are four simple projects any landowner can do.
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Releasing Producers
Mast tree release treatments are an approach to encourage better production from oaks and hickories by eliminating competition for food, water and sunlight. Selects large, healthy oak and hickory species in an area and cut smaller undesirable trees around them to create growing space. Result - increased acorn production and growing space for regeneration.

Corridors
Felling trees and removing understory growth provides a means to direct deer movement to areas that will provide for a better shot or move deer to designed feeding areas. Remove undesirable small trees and brush and use the cuttings to create brush piles to direct wildlife movement. Result - wildlife movement directed to stand locations or feeding areas

Hinge Cutting
Hinge cutting is simple. Cut trees 4-5 feet above ground and saw through them just enough so that the tree tips over and just leave it. This approach creates bedding habitat and also terminal crown growth will continue creating great browse for deer. Result - more browse for deer and habitat structure for all wildlife

The Bedroom
Providing all aspects of an animal's needs (food, water and cover) is critical for better hunting. Bedding cover on a property is needed to keep deer. Find a small area (1-5 acres) and remove all trees, with the exception of a few large mast trees, to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor. Result - regeneration will quickly flood the cut area to create a thick mess for bedding  

Two important concepts to keep in mind are always start property management with a plan and practice safe chainsaw operation. A chainsaw can be one of the most important tools for habitat management. Utilizing it with the four concepts above can dramatically improve your property.   

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