Great idea. Unfortunately, the less desirably species tend to be the most aggressive recolonizers.This fall, I plan on (as much as I can) trying to spray the stumps of the least-desired trees we want there soon after they are cut. You might also consider this for less competition on the trees, seedlings or nuts you plant - also more sunlight hitting the ground in the upcoming years. Just throwing another option out there for combating trees you don't want.
I remember you mentioning last year being an abnormally good year for growth. What's your prediction on this year?Monk74,
I would simply caution you on making associations between something that has been done and what you see from a couple deer. Local deer populations are shockingly complex organisms, with many, many factors influencing their performance. Unfortunately, I watch all the time as hunters/landowners jump to conclusions based on what they hope is true, and usually involving simple solutions to complex problems. A case in point: I have a client that has been heavily supplementally feeding for years. There has been no uptick in herd performance during that time. Until last year. Last year, the hunters experienced a HUGE increase in antler growth per age-class last year. They are now completely convinced the supplemental feeding is finally working - primarily because they were so convinced early on it was going to be the answer to their local low-performance problems. However, they're ignoring the fact that EVERY property in the area experienced a huge increase in antler growth per age-class last year and that they've been supplementing for years without improvement.
I'm not BSK, but I'm taking off most, if not all of November. Therefore, this will be the worst year for antler growth in the history of mankind.I remember you mentioning last year being an abnormally good year for growth. What's your prediction on this year?
On your property. On my places, we will have 170in bucks everywhere!I'm not BSK, but I'm taking off most, if not all of November. Therefore, this will be the worst year for antler growth in the history of mankind.
If I could predict those years, I would probably be a wealthy man! I will have to see the first mid to late summer trail cam pictures coming in to know.I remember you mentioning last year being an abnormally good year for growth. What's your prediction on this year?
That is way too funny!I'm not BSK, but I'm taking off most, if not all of November. Therefore, this will be the worst year for antler growth in the history of mankind.
And for us food plotters out there, planting the appropriate fall crops to capitalize on this can pay off. If the white oak acorns are raining down, that's where they'll likely be eating. Hence, don't plant too many early crops, I'd rather focus on mid-late blends this year.I do think the western 2/3 of TN will see a pretty big white oak acorn crop, but a poor red oak acorn crop. That can make hunting a bit more difficult in October through mid-November with a bunch of white oak acorns on the ground. But by late November, without red oak acorns, deer should really shift towards food plots, which makes hunting a lot easier.
This is assuming that deer have a deficiency of a mineral that you can get them to eat at a salt lick. Deer are concentrate selectors. They forage on many different plants and seem to be able to discern which parts of which plants are the best to eat.I agree, everybody forgets that half of a bucks dna comes from momma doe. I put out di-cal/phosphate, salt, trace and selenium. If that fawn is getting the right minerals prenatal and while nursing it'll be healthier and fight of diseases better. I despise high fence operations but,ask one of the cats that feed their families because of big antlers if it helps.
Any time corn is exposed to warm, humid weather aflatoxin producing molds can grow.
Most corn, if left exposed to warm humid weather, will develop aflatoxin producing molds within just days.Does that mean the mold will grow? Or only that it might?
My wife loves to feed deer and turkeys just for her viewing pleasure. If corn is such a no no what feed can I buy for a reasonable price ?
What type of food can I buy for a reasonable price at the local co op that would be good to attract deer and also be healthy for them?Most corn, if left exposed to warm humid weather, will develop aflatoxin producing molds within just days.
Your best bet is buying certified aflatoxin-free corn from a feed mill, and making sure the corn is covered from rain. But even then, corn and summertime in the South do not mix well.