Most of my hunting area looks like this picture. With lots of saplings and under growth it's hard to find spots to hunt. Is it OK to clear spots out after the season ? (don't want to mess with it this close to opening day) A little at a time maybe, as to not upset things too much. I also now have easy access to get a bush hog to the back of my property to keep a fence line mowed. It has a canopy of trees. Should I leave the canopy or trim the trees to let more light in and possibly plant something there ? Thanks !

You may be able to call your local dnr and ask them about controlled burns. Thats the way they keep the undergrowth down here on public land. And if im not mistaken they will come do it for a fee = but dont quote me on that.

But to answer your ? I would find a good spot and clear some shooting lanes now and hang a stand there now.

If you clear a trail (bushog?) now.....there's a good chance they'll use YOUR trail, come this fall. I've cleared (machette sp?) trails that I wanted to use to get to my stands.....only to find the deer start using them shortly thereafter.

Whatever I was going to do....I'd do it, now.

Good luck.

I'm with Jeff, do it now! The deer will use those cleared areas as well. Opening day is coming...but its a long way off yet, even if you start in September. You would have to have some rank B.O. for it to hang around that long!

You'd better get on it now, but make sure you get enough cut back, because they will grow back before opening day.

That's what I have found also. They'll even usetrails that you cut directly to your stand so be careful.You don't really want them to walk directly at or away from you.

As the season goes on they will use the under brush for cover and for browsing. Just trim a few lanes from your stand and call it a day.

I agree. You'll even get a bit of regrowth if you have a little rain. You need a lot of that undergrowth in order to hold deer... so don't get too wild with it. Those big pretty open woods quite often look pretty.... but they don't have much of the things that deer need (like food or cover). Those thick hardwood patches are fantastic bedding areas, and its pretty easy to find which trails the deer are using. You'd be suprised once you climb up a tree how well you can see down into that stuff... might not be quite as thick as it seems.

Thanks guys ! I was worried it might be a bit late. Any thoughts on the fence row ? Leave it shaded or open it up ?