To log or not?
 

I own 30 acres where we live, with 17.5 being timber. Most of the timber is mature oaks, maples and walnut trees. I've been debating having the timber select cut. Most of the guys that I hunt with think I'm crazy and that logging would destroy the hunting. All of the logged timber I have hunted have been great deer magnets. I'm not talking a complete clear cut, just taking select trees and leaving the tree tops for browse/cover. What's your thoughts?

RE: To log or not?
 

I was just driving down some paper company roads today and the only deer I saw were about 250 yards from where their were two large tractors working(stacking logs).The deerlove to eat off of the freshcuttops.

RE: To log or not?
 

Not sure on that size of an area, what's around you? We have about 50 of 200 acres that was select cut and the hunting has been great in those areas.

RE: To log or not?
 

There is 7 acres of timberto the north of mine that wouldn't be cut, and 3 acres to the east of me that wouldn't be cut. My house is to the south and there is ag fields to the west. Picture a 28 acre island of timber in a 400 acre field.[8D]

RE: To log or not?
 

Sounds like a little select cutting could work. Don't know where your at (state-wise) but your Conservation Dept. may have a program where they will come out and do a survey and advise you of what trees you should take out andwhat should be left to benefit wildlife.

RE: To log or not?
 

I'd be concerned that since you have a small tract to begin with, if you take away or reduce the cover that the deer have now, it might push them off your property. Without knowing the specifics, such as topography, bedding areas, transition zones, etc. I can't say for sure what would happen, but if the hunting is good now, don't mess with the timber, unless it's a $$ issue.

RE: To log or not?
 

Like the Sooner said...forgot to mention topo...actually couldn't think of the word at the time and got sucked back into work. The Conservation Dept. would see the whole layout and help youin determining what you should do.

RE: To log or not?
 

Not totally a money issue, but that is a part of the equation. Return on my investment, if you will. I have next to zero deer beddingon my groundnow. I kill deer that cruise through chasing/looking for does. I've accepted that fact and it will never bethe complete package of deer huntingdeer paradise. I simply don't have that much ground.My thoughts were 2 yearsdown the road when the briars/honeysuckle take over, it will be better hunting.

RE: To log or not?
 

Deer love it when a woods gets logged out partially! They feed off of it, they really seem to like it. My dad did this about 15 years ago, its still getting better each year as the new growth is still coming up in spots. He did a partial log as well, make sure you leave the good seeded tree's standing so they can seed the ground, thats one of your most important factors when logging.

RE: To log or not?
 

instead of destroying habitate i think you would be creating it. Big open hardwoods don't necessarily benefit whitetail that much. You might want to be careful that you don't remove any mast producing trees because they can be real deer magnets too

RE: To log or not?
 

If you had a year or 2 to live I'd say you were crazy to cut any if deer hunting is your thing unless... 30 acres is a small lot, cutting half of it isn't a lot. Best cinario is to drop trees that funnel deer to a certain area. Make that happen and your better off. Harvest them the next year.

Cutting oaks? Crazy! It's clear your out for the cash. Can't blame you.