Anybody used Pathfinder 2 on cut stumps or hack n squirt

[volsfan1976]

I'm new to all this habitat management. Just bought some land in July and after this season there is a lot to do. I have been reading this forum for weeks and it gets overwhelming with all this info. I have been researching and have found this Pathfinder 2 Rtu. Seems like it will take care of most things. Got a lot of cutting to do and wondering if this is good or something better. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Not familiar with Pathfinder but I'm sure there are some guys on here that will provide some advice..... congrats on your land purchase!! Making habitat improvements is very rewarding....just remember....it takes time....and while there are projects you can do that give quick results.... overall it's more like a marathon than a sprint.....there are always things to work on....which is one of the things I enjoy! Good luck! Enjoy the process!

 

[volsfan1976]

Not familiar with Pathfinder but I'm sure there are some guys on here that will provide some advice..... congrats on your land purchase!! Making habitat improvements is very rewarding....just remember....it takes time....and while there are projects you can do that give quick results.... overall it's more like a marathon than a sprint.....there are always things to work on....which is one of the things I enjoy! Good luck! Enjoy the process!

Thank you. I think it's gonna be fun and rewarding. I started reading this qdm forum in December and have got to page 98. There are now a million things I want to do and I'm more confused than before I started reading. Lol. Actually this is all new to me so I have a journal and have been taking plenty of notes. Gonna try to start next weekend since my son doesn't want to go on the juvenile hunt.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Thank you. I think it's gonna be fun and rewarding. I started reading this qdm forum in December and have got to page 98. There are now a million things I want to do and I'm more confused than before I started reading. Lol. Actually this is all new to me so I have a journal and have been taking plenty of notes. Gonna try to start next weekend since my son doesn't want to go on the juvenile hunt.

I like the journal idea!.....I read allot on the topic of land management, habitat improvements, etc.....then I want to go back and revisit a topic and can't find it? Or it takes forever to find it....the journal would help with that process.....it would also be helpful to journal projects your working on your land...what works, what doesn't, etc.....years from now it will be neat to read back through and track progress.

If you haven't already... check out GrowingdeerTV and QDMA....both have tons of articles and videos. (Warning: it's addicting....but you've likely already figured that out).

 

[volsfan1976]

I like the journal idea!.....I read allot on the topic of land management, habitat improvements, etc.....then I want to go back and revisit a topic and can't find it? Or it takes forever to find it....the journal would help with that process.....it would also be helpful to journal projects your working on your land...what works, what doesn't, etc.....years from now it will be neat to read back through and track progress.

If you haven't already... check out GrowingdeerTV and QDMA....both have tons of articles and videos. (Warning: it's addicting....but you've likely already figured that out).

That's a great idea about keeping track of projects. I hadn't thought about that but will do for sure. I just use it for food plot ideas, kinds of trees to plant, kinds of trees to kill, herbicides, etc. I don't that because like you said I would read something and then could never find it again. I have watched some of the growing deer tv and looked a little at QDMA. Will check it out some more. Also have been watching whitetail habitat solutions on YouTube. He seems very knowledgeable too but some of the stuff I watch, one will say do this and watch a different one and they say don't do that do this. So I get very confused. So I come back here and mostly read this forum. There seems to be a vast amount of knowledge here and people are willing to try to help without something in it for them.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Dr. Grant Woods with growing deer tv is my go to. I've learned so much from him. BSK interned with him many moons ago and I align with his way of thinking as well.

Whitetail habitat solutions doesn't jive with me. Not knocking him - I've picked up a few things from him, but most of his stuff is not relevant to TN.

These next few months are great for scouting and habitat improvement.

 

[volsfan1976]

Dr. Grant Woods with growing deer tv is my go to. I've learned so much from him. BSK interned with him many moons ago and I align with his way of thinking as well.

Whitetail habitat solutions doesn't jive with me. Not knocking him - I've picked up a few things from him, but most of his stuff is not relevant to TN.

These next few months are great for scouting and habitat improvement.

That's great to know. Thank you. I will start wearing that out. I plan on being there about every weekend. It's not much land just 66 acres. It's all old hardwoods on a mountain top. Seemed really thick in July but by December I see that it's not at all. No reason for the deer to be there other than passing through. I want to open it up and get it thick and maybe do a couple small food plots. I really want to plant some fruit trees and chestnut trees. But I'm no tree person or lumberjack. So it's gonna take time and probably a lot of trial and error but I have already learned so much just from this site. I'm really trying to learn all I can before I start doing anything cause I don't wanna just go in and screw it all up having no clue.

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

I bought 38 acres 4 years ago this coming April. I've planted apples, pears, peaches (for my kids) and dunstan chestnuts and a couple other varieties. Planting trees is addictive Ans expensive. Especially when you fence each in. Grow tubes. I usually put mulch around my apple trees to help keep weeds down and moisture in. I've also planted several sawtooth oaks. Some don't like them but I don't have many oaks on my land. I've got a couple apple trees that already had fruit and a a couple chestnuts this year. For me. The challenge is learning to prune or what not to prune. I've kept fields Bush hogged. Ans I've let them grow up to see if it makes a difference. This far I've not noticed a difference. I've got a couple areas I'm letting go Ans going to let nature do it's thing to thicken it back up some. I've also got some trees I need to cut to open one end of my plot up to more sunlight. But it's cleaning up the hard part. I don't like leaving trees lay and rot. I try to keep my place as clean as possible. But I'm learning as I go. It's fun for sure

 

[volsfan1976]

I bought 38 acres 4 years ago this coming April. I've planted apples, pears, peaches (for my kids) and dunstan chestnuts and a couple other varieties. Planting trees is addictive Ans expensive. Especially when you fence each in. Grow tubes. I usually put mulch around my apple trees to help keep weeds down and moisture in. I've also planted several sawtooth oaks. Some don't like them but I don't have many oaks on my land. I've got a couple apple trees that already had fruit and a a couple chestnuts this year. For me. The challenge is learning to prune or what not to prune. I've kept fields Bush hogged. Ans I've let them grow up to see if it makes a difference. This far I've not noticed a difference. I've got a couple areas I'm letting go Ans going to let nature do it's thing to thicken it back up some. I've also got some trees I need to cut to open one end of my plot up to more sunlight. But it's cleaning up the hard part. I don't like leaving trees lay and rot. I try to keep my place as clean as possible. But I'm learning as I go. It's fun for sure

Sounds like an awesome spot you have made. I don't have any fields to deal with so I guess that's one less thing to worry about. But wish I did. Lol. I'm am wanting to plant the fruit trees and chestnuts too. But I gotta get a lot of canopy opened up for them I think. Trial and error. But it's gonna be fun like you said. Looking so forward to it. I got a question if you don't mind. As for the chestnuts. I have read so much on this forum. Is there a big difference in the dunstan vs Chinese chestnut or are they pretty close. Reason I ask is from looking online most places have the Chinese but I don't see the dunstan. So I wasn't sure if they were basically the same or what. Thanks

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

I did a lot a of research regarding the 2. Ans I've planted both. But my dunstans have outgrown any others I have planted. I've actually got 7 more I will be putting in the ground very soon. I've planted them in my open fields. Chestnuts on one side. Apples Ans such on the other. I started planting trees as a way for me and my son to spend time together. He enjoys it a lot. But it sure makes hard for mowing and bush hogging. I've got a area that's pretty steep. I'm trying to get my oaks in there to hopefully one day my son won't have to be on a tractor on that slope.

I bought the land for hunting and to pass along to my kids. I grew up with not a lot. Don't stand a chance to inherit anything. I want my kids to have more than I do. Plus he's learning as we go. He will be 9 in April and has already killed 6 deer. He loves the outdoors. So it's well worth the investment to my family.

 

[LanceS4803]

Whitetail habitat solutions doesn't jive with me. Not knocking him - I've picked up a few things from him, but most of his stuff is not relevant to TN.

The guy who does those videos is so SLOW with his presentation. 5 tips can take 20 minutes.

As for hack and squirt, I stick with Garlon 3/triclopyr.

 

[volsfan1976]

Ok great. Wasn't sure on what I needed to use. Thank you

 

[volsfan1976]

I did a lot a of research regarding the 2. Ans I've planted both. But my dunstans have outgrown any others I have planted. I've actually got 7 more I will be putting in the ground very soon. I've planted them in my open fields. Chestnuts on one side. Apples Ans such on the other. I started planting trees as a way for me and my son to spend time together. He enjoys it a lot. But it sure makes hard for mowing and bush hogging. I've got a area that's pretty steep. I'm trying to get my oaks in there to hopefully one day my son won't have to be on a tractor on that slope.

I bought the land for hunting and to pass along to my kids. I grew up with not a lot. Don't stand a chance to inherit anything. I want my kids to have more than I do. Plus he's learning as we go. He will be 9 in April and has already killed 6 deer. He loves the outdoors. So it's well worth the investment to my family.

That's awesome. I'm pretty much in the same boat. I have always hunted public land and pretty much everywhere I hunt has been sold and logged and posted. Seemed hard to find a lease. All I ever wanted was my own place but never thought it would be an option. But everything worked out perfectly and was able to buy some that wasn't even for sale. I just started sending out letters to land owners of property I would be interested in. Like you I wanted some only for hunting and something for my kids. My youngest are 9&5. We went to Yuchi juvenile with my 9year old this year. It was his first hunt. I been trying to get him into it but this was the first year he wanted to go. Hopefully we can make this place into something good for my kids and their kids.

I like the idea of planting trees with him and in 30 years he can tell his kids that we planted that big tree. Don't know how well it will work but I like the idea. My 5 year old is a girl and I kinda think she may be more interested in the outdoors than he is. But they change so who knows. But they will always have a place if they want to go.

 

[BSK]

volsfan1976,

First, I think you're quickly learning that habitat management of your own property starts as something you do to make hunting better but quickly transforms into a passion in itself. Watching your property transform over time produces great enjoyment completely separate from hunting. Honestly, I think I enjoy managing my property far more than the actual hunting, and I know many other personal property managers who have transformed to feeling the same way.

As for your kids, you never know. I very much like your idea of getting your children involved with the management. This will create a real sense of ownership in the property, whether or not they hunt. But as for hunting, my advice is simply expose your children to it from a very early age, and make the experience both a learning opportunity - biology and wildlife management - as well as a time for bonding; basically a special shared experience.

 

[volsfan1976]

volsfan1976,

First, I think you're quickly learning that habitat management of your own property starts as something you do to make hunting better but quickly transforms into a passion in itself. Watching your property transform over time produces great enjoyment completely separate from hunting. Honestly, I think I enjoy managing my property far more than the actual hunting, and I know many other personal property managers who have transformed to feeling the same way.

As for your kids, you never know. I very much like your idea of getting your children involved with the management. This will create a real sense of ownership in the property, whether or not they hunt. But as for hunting, my advice is simply expose your children to it from a very early age, and make the experience both a learning opportunity - biology and wildlife management - as well as a time for bonding; basically a special shared experience.

Excellent advice. Thank you

 

[volsfan1976]

BSK, you are exactly right. I can see how it transforms into a passion. I was actually looking forward to deer season being over so I could get started. How crazy is that. But it's overwhelming. There seems to be a lot to it. Tons to learn. Wish this was something I could have done 20 years ago. Maybe I wouldn't be so confused about stuff now. But better late than never. Who knew there was so many herbicides and pollinators and seed blends and what they all do. My hand is sore from all my note taking.

 

[volsfan1976]

The coolest thing so far is that I have gotten my dad on board too. At first he said I was crazy to want to mess with anything. The big wide open woods are perfect for hunting he said. Why would you want it thick. He is the old school way. Hahaha. Last night he was telling me we need to leave the tree tops for cover and how he wants to do a good plot. He is retired and been watching videos all week. We are gonna start this weekend. Just that much more time we are gonna get to spend together.

But I am getting through to him. And this year for the first time ever he let a buck walk. It was only a spike but still he let it walk. Then about 3 minutes later he shot a different spike. It was a lot bigger he said. Lol

 

[BSK]

What I find interesting about today's kids that become hunters is that each has a different motivation. One of my brother's daughters didn't become a hunter until she was an adult, and her motivation was simply to become a part of the "fraternity" of hunters. Whenever the family is together, invariably hunting stories will begin to be told, usually poking fun at something stupid one one of the family did while hunting. My brother's daughter kept hearing these stories and realized she wanted to be a part of that. She wanted to be able to join in the story telling. She gave deer hunting a shot in her late 20s and fell in love with it. And despite the fact she lives with her husband in Sydney, Australia, she will travel half-way around the world each year to spend 4 or 5 days muzzleloader hunting in TN.

For my own daughter, she's been hanging around deer camp since she was a baby. Even at a very young age she was fascinated with cleaning and butchering deer. I think she was 5 or 6 the first time I took her out hunting with me, in a food plot shooting house where she could sit on the floor and read books or color, and then climb in my lap if deer came out. She was 7 or 8 the first time she sat on my lap while I shot a doe in the plot. I let her blood trail the deer. I think being a part of the hunt like that really peaked her interest. I took the hunter education course with her when she was 13, and we truly hunted for the first time when she was 14, in 2-person "buddy" ladder stands. She killed a few deer during the Juvenile hunts. But I didn't really understand her motivation until I told her at 16 that I thought she was experienced enough to begin hunting on her own. Instead of being thrilled, she was disappointed. She didn't want to hunt on her own. She wanted to hunt with me. Unbeknownst to me, for her, hunting was the ultimate bonding experience between us; a time to sit and talk quietly in the stand and share a powerful common experience. She's 19 now and we've never hunted apart. I love every time she wants to go.

My poor attempt at a selfie while in a 2-person ladder stand:

 

[BSK]

And this year for the first time ever he let a buck walk. It was only a spike but still he let it walk. Then about 3 minutes later he shot a different spike. It was a lot bigger he said. Lol

Small victories are still victories!

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

That's awesome. I'm pretty much in the same boat. I have always hunted public land and pretty much everywhere I hunt has been sold and logged and posted. Seemed hard to find a lease. All I ever wanted was my own place but never thought it would be an option. But everything worked out perfectly and was able to buy some that wasn't even for sale. I just started sending out letters to land owners of property I would be interested in. Like you I wanted some only for hunting and something for my kids. My youngest are 9&5. We went to Yuchi juvenile with my 9year old this year. It was his first hunt. I been trying to get him into it but this was the first year he wanted to go. Hopefully we can make this place into something good for my kids and their kids.

I like the idea of planting trees with him and in 30 years he can tell his kids that we planted that big tree. Don't know how well it will work but I like the idea. My 5 year old is a girl and I kinda think she may be more interested in the outdoors than he is. But they change so who knows. But they will always have a place if they want to go.

Wow. My kids are the same age. Boy and a girl. I started taking my son hunting with me at 3. Just for about an hour at a time. More or less just playing in the woods.
This year we was hunting and had been hunting hard for days. He asked "can we have fun today" so I said sure. We broke sticks and whittled, walked around, played hide and seak. You name it. He said it was the best hunt of his life. We even seen deer that day. The important thing is. Remember they are kids. What enjoys us may not them. Let them have fun and learn at their own pace. Each kid is different.