Hayfield Height

[Slap]

The question is not about food plots but a hayfield I will hunt off of sometimes. I've gotten deer with grass up to my waist and with the hay cut to a few inches, but feel like one way should be better than the other. Anybody have an opinion?

 

[cbhunter]

Man, looks like you lurked for many years before posting, lol

Welcome to the dark side of the fire!

I guess both has its pro's and cons. Eating wise, i think they would prefer it after a cut. However, i like the sense of security it gives them with the higher grass for more cover.

 

[DoubleRidge]

If it's an hay field then the hay itself, along with weather forecast, should dictate when it's cut.

Now if it's just a field that you have control over....and your not worried about making hay......I'd let portions of it grow up....or.....let it all grow up and bush hog strips to create edge and diversity.

Burning portions of the field could be an option as well.

Most people want their fields clean and pretty.... understandable.....but an old grown up field with strips bush hogged in it is a beautiful thing from a habitat management standpoint.

 

[poorhunter]

If it's an hay field then the hay itself, along with weather forecast, should dictate when it's cut.

Now if it's just a field that you have control over....and your not worried about making hay......I'd let portions of it grow up....or.....let it all grow up and bush hog strips to create edge and diversity.

Burning portions of the field could be an option as well.

Most people want their fields clean and pretty.... understandable.....but an old grown up field with strips bush hogged in it is a beautiful thing from a habitat management standpoint.

Burning a dry hay field is definitely an awesome way to improve that hay field for new growth. Need to be careful though! Bush hogging it this time of year is also a good idea so that there's good new growth that will last a good portion of the winter.

 

[Smo]

I cut mine yesterday, not for hay, but too allow the clover to get more sun..
Hopefully when all the acorns have rotted and the pickins' are slim, this will supplement their food supply.

 

[megalomaniac]

Deer will be in it at 10x the rate if left tall and uncut.

 

[Smo]

Maybe, maybe not…

 

[BSK]

Hopefully when all the acorns have rotted and the pickins' are slim, this will supplement their food supply.View attachment 114602

Just remember, if you have acorns in the red family, they do not rot. They last until spring.

So many times I've heard hunters say, the deer are off the acorns, so move your hunting to browse/food plots. That's only true if there are no reds.

 

[Smo]

We're loaded with acorns this year , but the past two years.. nothing.