Just started experimenting with fire on younger loblolly stands on our own property (less than 12 years old). I have also noticed the first three or four years after a plant hold a ton of deer but when they canopy out there's just nothing in there for the deer unless its bedding and then it needs to be close to water and food for them to really use it for bedding. I took a nine year old loblolly stand and ran a fire through it this past weekend. Temps were low and I waited to light the fire close to dark (5pm) with a humidity about 38 percent and rising....wind in the 7 mph range. I now wish I would have lit it earlier to get the fire a little hotter. It cleaned it out but I don't think I really opened up the canopy enough to obtain my goal of having a nice balance of young pines as well as a good area for wildlife to use. Time will tell I suppose. I did a smaller 12 acre tract to start that has a drain (natural fire break) separating it from a larger 24 acre tract. I didn't want to scorch 36 acres of pines of course. Once I saw how the fire wasn't going to go crazy I lit the larger tract. I asked two different foresters their thoughts on doing it. One was scared to death and noted that I may kill all the trees...the other was more in line with what actually happened. He told me he would be surprised if I got any mortality at all with the low temps and lighting it late in the day.Cutting timber is good for about three or fours years and if your a rifle hunter unless you own the property and have the right to keep it burned off when it needs it. Otherwise you have a jungle of dead undergrowth and saplings. The turkey hunting really suffers after year two as well
It feels like a juggling act...obviously I want the return of money on the pine trees in 15 or 20 years but I want the area to be beneficial to wildlife as well until then. National Deer Association emailed an article out this morning that is interesting (I posted it in a new topic) as well concerning the use of fire vs the cost of foodplots/supplemental protein feed. Using fire has peaked my interest since protein and food plot costs have gone up so much. It is a good read when you have time.That's interesting. I'd say the best part of what you've done is the experience that you've gained. You seem like the kind of guy that may keep upgrading your acreage and when you do, you'll have a jam up farm for you and your family. Awesome job man. Keep us posted on the results
Man I would look forward to it. Our family farm had some timber clear cut last winter, but they had to come back to thin some this year and of course they started the 1st week in November . I was really disappointed to say the least, thought I would get in one more hunt before they started but I passed the loggers heading out on my way in. Since I was already there I decided to hunt anyway...ended up killing the biggest buck that has been killed off the farm. This was my view from the stand that day.
I mean that we wanna see the best buck ever !!!! It’s one of the biggest reasons I come hereMan I would look forward to it. Our family farm had some timber clear cut last winter, but they had to come back to thin some this year and of course they started the 1st week in November . I was really disappointed to say the least, thought I would get in one more hunt before they started but I passed the loggers heading out on my way in. Since I was already there I decided to hunt anyway...ended up killing the biggest buck that has been killed off the farm. This was my view from the stand that day.
Thanks man, not my PB...but the biggest to come off our farm.I mean that we wanna see the best buck ever !!!! It’s one of the biggest reasons I come here
Oh yea !!!!! He’s a DANDY!!!Thanks man, not my PB...but the biggest to come off our farm.