Hey BSK (and others)… Fire Question

[EastTNHunter]

Well, the dry weather and spate of brush fires got one of my favorite hunting spots. Burned the leaf litter and freshly fallen leaves, along with any downed dead trees and most of the undergrowth. Happened Friday. Seems to have burned pretty quickly in many areas, as several acorns can still be found they were not burned up, whereas other areas burned pretty hot and hard. Some things are still smoldering today

How long until deer start using this area again in earnest?

Will the deer be pushed a good ways away from this, stay just outside, or return to the middle of it?

 

[megalomaniac]

How many acres? If small, it won't bother them at all. If over 40 ac, they will use the edges of the burn fine until new growth starts in the burn... after the new growth starts, they will use it like crazy. But that may not be until next spring unless we get rain and temps stay above freezing.

 

[TnKen]

I've seen them come back while stuff is still smoldering. Makes the acorns easier to get.

 

[Biggun4214]

I've seen them come back while stuff is still smoldering. Makes the acorns easier to get.

X2
And more than once

 

[knightrider]

Id be back in my favorite oak this weekend

 

[Ski]

Chestnut(oak)s roasting on an open fire? Sounds like a Nat King Cole song to me

When it starts greening up it'll be a huge draw. Whatever the reason, deer LOVE the first green to pop out of charred ground.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

It won't bother them other than the only reason for them to be in there would be for a few acorns unscathed or if it's a travel corridor. I'm sure it wiped out some cover. Whatever strategy you had it set up for would be my reasoning to hunt it or not. If food, I'd change strategies. If travel corridor, I'd consider it depending on my walking it. Whenever you get fresh vegetation in there, that'd be when they'll really be in there, but that not be until spring.

 

[deerhunter10]

Never burnt this time of year. But when we burn we see deer and turkeys in it immediately.

 

[EastTNHunter]

How many acres? If small, it won't bother them at all.

I'd say under 40 acres

Chestnut(oak)s roasting on an open fire? Sounds like a Nat King Cole song to me

That was my first thought, actually.

I figured we'd give it a go to see ho they use it. The acorns are there, but the browse and thick cover are gone. Will definitely alter their travel patterns

 

[EastTNHunter]

I figured it will be good next year, but I was more thinking about strategy for this season and especially the next 2-3 weeks

 

[double browtine]

I would think that hunting the edges where the old trails entered this area would be a good place. I bet they will be passing through there, But you better face towards the burned area cause you aren't going to be able to hear them coming. I you would be able to slip through there quietly also.

 

[Dbllunger]

Go sling some winter wheat or rye seed in there and you may likely get a good plot that is huntable this year. Wouldn't hurt to try I wouldn't think.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

Wouldn't have to worry of them scenting you as much would be my guess. Go for it!

 

[knightrider]

Go sling some winter wheat or rye seed in there and you may likely get a good plot that is huntable this year. Wouldn't hurt to try I wouldn't think.

Great ideal, sling a couple hundre pound winter wheat on it

 

[tanasirivertea]

Go sling some winter wheat or rye seed in there and you may likely get a good plot that is huntable this year. Wouldn't hurt to try I wouldn't think.

And calling for rain Thursday night/Fri Morn! I would buy some rye and get going

 

[Swampster]

That looks really clean. I have about 50 acres I would love to see cleaned up like that, or at least 30 of the fifty. Maybe it would temporarily knock back those greenbrier vines.