The land lines are weird because of old ridge top fences and benches on the mountain. I thought the line to the southeast was a bit different until my dad and I walked it this deer season. I lost about 50 acres I thought I had to work with. There were old rusty 3 inch poles marking an old fence line. No clue why anyone would have ever put a fence there.

This weekend is the last for turkey season. I am going to mark off the area I want to clear and try to get started on the 15th. Get the good trees down and out of the way then start clearing with the dozier. I am going to do a soil test as soon as possible. I didn't think I would have time to get a summer plot out, but correct me if I am wrong. Is it too late to plant anything but fall plots if I couldn't get anything in the ground until the weekend of May 22? I had planned on just planting fall plots this year.

Should I do some small (.25 - .5 acre plots) in the more open areas of the woods? I was thinking about two maybe three. There are some mature timber spots that would only require the removal of 8 - 10 trees that I was thinking about planting small plots. I'm afraid that the deer will destroy them though. It is worth the time?

What should I do to improve everything else? Girdle the soft wood trees to open up the canopy so it gets thicker? Hinge cut them? Any other ideas?