Bush hogging

[cecil30-30]

So on our 67 acres there is about a 4 acre field and a smaller 1 acre field. The previous owner Bush bogged once every 3 or 4 years. So as it stands now we maybe on year 4 or 5. I dont want to let it get any thicker. There are trees starting to stand out and massive black berry thickets and all the other weeds/brush is about chest high. The deer love it and I'm sure it provides alot of food for them through the winter. So I wasn't sure when the best time to bush hog it would be. I was thinking right before the spring green up and that way it will have all spring and summer to regenerate. I was thinking of putting it on a 3 year mowing schedule. Any thoughts? Maybe get it back to square 1 and then mow strip through it every few years? Here is a ariel view of the field. Cant really tell much from it. I plan to erect a permanent shooting house in it after season.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

For areas that I want to be overgrown, I bushhog just before spring green up. A lot of my fields have to be done every year to avoid tire popping locusts from getting everywhere.

 

[huvrman]

I wouldn't let it go more than 2 years. Saplings can get away from you before you know it, and once they get too big to bushhog, you've got a monumental and expensive problem On your hands. Mow it all early in the spring, then your plots again in the fall before planting.

 

[TnKen]

I would knock it down all the way. Then you could rotate sections you mow every other year.

 

[megalomaniac]

If you are going for cover, bushhog every spring.

If you are going as new growth fall food, bushhog every mid to late July

 

[PossumSlayer]

Fire

 

[wildlifefarmer]

Looking at the overhead, your access road cuts it in half. Make a fire break(12 to16 ft wide food plot) arround the outside of the field plus using your road as a break. Burn each side alternating everyother year or 3. You will always have cover and food. Enjoy the process as you go along.

 

[JArender]

on my field like that. one is 10 acres I break them into 1/3s and mow a different 1/3 every year. if I have a field with some type of fast growing sappling I typically try to hit it on 1 half's every year. but always cut a strip out and back to any permanent stand down the middle every year. it's not perfect but works for me and keeping unnecessary hours down on my equipment

 

[JArender]

on my field like that. one is 10 acres I break them into 1/3s and mow a different 1/3 every year. if I have a field with some type of fast growing sappling I typically try to hit it on 1 half's every year. but always cut a strip out and back to any permanent stand down the middle every year. it's not perfect but works for me and keeping unnecessary hours down on my equipment

also I do this right before spring green up and then late september i'll make a couple trips around the boundary and cut the shooting lane again.

 

[cecil30-30]

Some good points made here. Do you think it would hurt to make a pass or 2 around the field edge and then 1 pass to my ladderstand this close to muzzleoader?

 

[backyardtndeer]

Some good points made here. Do you think it would hurt to make a pass or 2 around the field edge and then 1 pass to my ladderstand this close to muzzleoader?

Won't hurt at all.