primos32
Well-Known Member
I did some hinge cutting over the weekend. Just curious to who all on here does it and what kind of results as far as deer usage of the areas cut?
Hinge cutting
- Thread starter primos32
- Start date
Lawrence
Well-Known Member
I read a article and it didn't say much about how it helped deer but it really helped small game
Jarred525
Well-Known Member
Done it and it works well, especially in areas that need cover.
Ive done it some. I like to do it in small scattered patches, here and there, where I want deer to bed. Most of the time I end up with a 20 yd by 20yd patch or so. It absolutely kills the timber grower in me to do it, but it does create some great bedding. I wont do it on a larger scale, it makes it heck on loggers, skidders, etc.
Football Hunter
Well-Known Member
Made some great deer bedding for me
String Music
Well-Known Member
I love hinge cutting. It's so rewarding if done properly. The best places to hinge cut are deer bedding areas and along field edges (this is considered "edge feathering").
Keep in mind, deer won't just bed anywhere you hinge cut. Make sure you are doing it in area deer prefer to bed. Such as on the tips of points. I would cut more on the south side of slopes as this is where deer bed in the winter and have the least amount of cover.
Deer and small game really benefit from edge feathering. This gives cover to small game and browse for the deer. Plus, deer prefer to transition from the woods to a food plot through some type of cover. If you hinge cut 20-40 yards off the plots the deer will stage in the cuts and feed on the browse before hitting the fields. Ideally, you will want to cut about 75% of the trees the first 10-15 yards, then 50%, then 25% to give the deer different levels of edge and a smooth transition to your plots.
Additionally, hinge cutting can be an excellent tool to create funnels around your stands. Deer are lazy, they will take the path of least resistance. Keep that in mind.
I would'nt recommend running around your woods hinge cutting everything. Although this will provide instant cover and food, the new shoots and sprouts will shade the understory. In areas outside of what I mentioned above, I prefer to treat the undesirable trees with herbicide. The sun will create much more desirable browse from the ground than a hinge cut tree.
Also keep in mind that turkeys will avoid thick, hinge cut areas unless they are nesting.
Keep in mind, deer won't just bed anywhere you hinge cut. Make sure you are doing it in area deer prefer to bed. Such as on the tips of points. I would cut more on the south side of slopes as this is where deer bed in the winter and have the least amount of cover.
Deer and small game really benefit from edge feathering. This gives cover to small game and browse for the deer. Plus, deer prefer to transition from the woods to a food plot through some type of cover. If you hinge cut 20-40 yards off the plots the deer will stage in the cuts and feed on the browse before hitting the fields. Ideally, you will want to cut about 75% of the trees the first 10-15 yards, then 50%, then 25% to give the deer different levels of edge and a smooth transition to your plots.
Additionally, hinge cutting can be an excellent tool to create funnels around your stands. Deer are lazy, they will take the path of least resistance. Keep that in mind.
I would'nt recommend running around your woods hinge cutting everything. Although this will provide instant cover and food, the new shoots and sprouts will shade the understory. In areas outside of what I mentioned above, I prefer to treat the undesirable trees with herbicide. The sun will create much more desirable browse from the ground than a hinge cut tree.
Also keep in mind that turkeys will avoid thick, hinge cut areas unless they are nesting.
String Music
Well-Known Member
If you are cutting this time of the year, expect the trees to snap and break off. In the spring and summer time, the trees' sap will be running which will allow for a better hinge cut.
mathews338
Well-Known Member
good info String Music!
