We have just 13 acres. And through watching Jeff’s vids ive learned that it’s the same principles which benefit small parcels as the bigger properties. For two decades we allowed our deer habitat to be subordinate to our red oak timber value. Timber prices falling these last couple years were a blessing in disguise for us. We decided to clear some food plots, hinge cut some bedding cover, and we saw more deer in one season (with a terrible drought) than the combined 20 years. Anyone can do this. You don’t need big acreage. You don’t need black gold soil, (our soil is 5.2ph with as many rocks as dirt! If our northern Pennsylvania land can improve, anyone’s can!
I'm glad you addressed the 5 acre parcel. I have 5 acres and deer are in my yard all year round. They are use to me but not tame. I'll harvest a couple does every year under my old crab apple tree 20 yards from the house. I have a few nice bucks come through during the rut but I don't harvest them. My property is mostly field with a bit of swamp in the bottom which blends into some cover. Most of the homes in my development are on 5 acres. Only two of us out of the 10+ homes hunt. Great videos and I've learned a lot from watching. Going to put out some type of plot for them this year. Thanks for all the great advice you provide us viewers!!
@@brandoncardwell6021 Well my set up is very unconventional, funny but true...I just walk out of the garage...sit in a chair with one in front of me to use as a rest for my crossbow. Bottom line it's conditioning. Deer come up to check for Crabapples daily and we have a garden and a poly tunnel which we share vegetables that aren't perfect for canning all year round so we are a food source. I have pics of the deer 15-20 yards in front of me while I'm sitting there with my crossbow lol No scent control or fancy hunting tactics, I smoke and wait for the right one. However when I first moved here 12 years ago i had my tree stand down in the bottom where the swamp feeds in to the thick growth where their trail goes in between the two and leads into my field. I can send pics of my property and how it's laid out if that would help. Like I said it's a unique set up lol
@@frankhopkins7032 the bottom is only about 190 yards wide but it comes out to a field edge on the south side so my plan is to make a small hunting plot and screen it off, I know they bed off of the property and pass through to get to the crops so my main goal is to find a way to keep them on the property longer
@@brandoncardwell6021 I would recommend planting some type of fruit trees. Apples, Persimmons, Pear. That'll will keep them coming in for years. The Crabapple tree I have is very old and didn't produce a lot this year because of a late frost, but I will be planting some quick growing fruit trees this Spring. Also going to do some Imperial clover, buckwheat and thinking about a patch of soybean. Good luck getting it sorted and hope this may have helped. I'm no expert like Mr Sturgis but it works for me lol
I have a 10+ acre parcel in Southwestern Ohio of which 7 acres are actually hunt-able. Your info has been a tremendous blessing as we utilize your knowledge to create our small hunting and recreational sanctuary. Thank you for all the effort you put into the information as well as the quality product the WHS provides for FREE! Again, thank you!
I see you using an app or a editing software on your tablets when you show how you design properties. You got it all color coded for the different areas for food plots, trials, switchgrass, red X’s for stands etc. and you’re easily able to change and erase and add these areas with the pen or your fingers. Are you able to share what that is? I cant really fine anything like that online or on the App Store and I think it would be very useful for when trying to figure out how to setup our property when deciding and changing up how to do things. If you are able to share that that would be awesome! I greatly appreciate all your content I just got in to hunting this year and our property has some amazing potential to have a high quality deer Heard. Been watching all your videos and learning how to do things efficiently effectively and be a better hunter and have fun with it so thanks a lot!
I have 13 wooded acres in southern MI. We transformed it into 1/2 security cover and 1/2 food plots. We know bucks won't bed here on a regular bases, we're targeting the bucks that are cruising through the Pre Rut. We've killed some nice bucks in early Nov. using sex, food and cover. Your strategies work Jeff. Thanks for doing videos for us "small" landowners!
Suburban hunts are part of my routine, along with private land, leasing & a club- some HUGE bucks are in the suburbs, most hunts are just no fun (the ambiance, if there is such a thing) by kids on bikes, dog walkers, neighbors that like to talk while getting dressed at the truck or jealous hunters that think they have the monopoly etc... Best to hunt mid week, mornings & if I only have the weekend, Sunday mornings are infinitely quieter than Saturday mornings.
That's how I grew up hunting in lower MI in the mid to late 80s. I love it! You are right tho not as much for ambiance BUT, still beautiful getting out. All a matter of perspective I guess? Brings back fond memories...
I have 1500 acre parcel in Kansas. Just bought your books and learning a lot. But I have a lot of work to do still. I got a 172 typical this year on my first tree stand sit
Jim, may I ask what you do? I have a reason for asking. I have a TH-cam show, and quite a backstory to go with it. I’m deer obsessed and like to know how... well people think
You may want to have Jeff come out and give you a plan for your property. With that much property you want to make sure you get it right. I read his books and watched his videos, but I didn't trust myself and had him come out to my Wyoming property. So glad I did, because I got stuff wrong.
I really enjoy this channel and all your info. This video made my day. We purchased 10 acres out in the country with about a 2 acres pond on the corner and are going to build. So having this to know how to maximize hunting potential with what I have left is awesome!
We have a 400 acre place we no lease but are still going to implement some of these strategies on that-made some last year creating more cover and locating food plots in better locations with better access and really seen the benefit. Thanks for another great video Jeff.
Andrew you are very welcome! That is great to hear too...all the same concept whether small or large, but a 400 acre parcel typically has HUGE potential! Enjoy the off season 🙂
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 You too-still trying to stretch it out. Our season ends in 5 days and still trying to get one of the other target bucks left.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 had the same thing happen to me yesterday-target buck 80 yards away with some does but never closed the distance-Good luck the rest of the season.
13 acres in mid Michigan, 2 does and a 6 point this year. But as you said..Diversity of trees, lots of white oak and apple. Also, it has pine river running 12 acres of it creating a nice thick valley, surrounded by Ag fields on 3 sides.
Thank you for this video, I have 4.07 acres out in New Franken. Lots of hard wood acorn producing trees with a swamp in the front with field. I am surrounded by corn and wheat fields.
Good stuff Jeff, I think a lot of us get caught up in the more acres the better, but I think you’re right 40-120 and a few of those parcels miles away from each other you benefit from different herds!
My parents have 6 acres in western NY. This year I'm going to try and improve the habitat on the property. Its surrounded on two sides by a large ag field that is empty come deer season and road on the other two sides. Already have a mix of swamp thick cover and a half acre over grown field on the east side. Watching many of your videos has helped me out a ton when trying to come up with a plan for the property! Can't wait to try things out this year. Thanks for your videos.
This video opened up a lot to me. I feel like in the last few years I fell into a trap where I think I need extremely large parcels to be a successful deer hunter. I look forward to applying these tips in this upcoming season.
If you have property and have it posted just put up a feeder and you will have literal pets of your choosing in 1-3 years. Just need a place they feel safe and a reason to get them to come over
Love your videos. I am working on a 11-acre parcel that has two funnels and all the aspects you're talking about...the only thing is it is at the dead end of a suburban neighborhood with CRP bordering the East side, more than 100 acres of woods at the north end of the funnels, hay fields and houses to the west with lots of thick greenbrier and privet along the fencerows. Enjoying the experience of implementing the plan I created based on your concepts. Thanks for the knowledge.
Wow, you described my property to a T, 3 acres behind my house, I've been working to make it better, thanks for all the info. Last 2 yrs have had some giants on camera, still mostly at night but more daylight activity every yr.
Thanks Jeff, live on a farm with 5 acres. All the surrounding land are agricultural just like mine. I get deer on camera but only at night due to there being absolutely no coverage. Its gonna be a challenge to get more deer attracted and hang around the property more but its gonna be worth it
I have some pine, cedar swamp mixed with maples, Aspen, ash. Up in Deerton (NoDeerton). Sent off my soil sample to see how to improve my acidic, low nutrients, low PH, sandy soil. Already located a place in Marquette that will deliver bulk lime and or top soil.
I have a buddy who has access to a lot of 5 acre parcels in the middle of ag fields and between ag fields in michigan. He shoots two monsters every year. He knows their movement so well he only has to go hunting once or twice.
Lightly fried radishes in olive oil are an excellent vegetable to serve with venison! Think about all the food for a meal coming from the land is the crown jewel of a hunters meal.
Hey Jeff, just watched your video on small parcels and this really applies to my 10 acres near Leonard. Already looking forward to foodplot planting time. John LaPine
I have 8 acres of solid mature pines and oaks in SE Oklahoma. All of the land around me is same as mine. I'm thinking of hitching about an acre of trees and then putting in a food plot right in the center of my property. Also want to build a small 10x10 pond. I'd plant buckwheat and clover.
You’re timing is great just so happens picking up a 5 acre parcel bout 2 minutes from existing land hopefully doesn’t turn out to be just another grass cutting job for me
I have 5.5 in Sc, 3 of it is wooded, 2 of that huntable. I have at least 1 big buck(for area) hanging around every season. And lots of decent bucks preseason. It was hard for me to grasp at first as I grew up on 300 wooded acres and rarely saw any big bucks.
Due to the area and the way it’s laid out(funnelish), I think if I were to take that buck, another would filter in. Usually when the big one shows up in hunting season(each year) most of the 2.5yo basket 8s leave.
I live on 5 acres never shot a deer off of it but I have 4 doe family's I feed year round,got pics of t nice 3 year olds waiting on big boy to slide through,got a 2 acre pasture that's empty now,horses are gone,😢now time to plant some goods for them,corn cost to much lol,great video
Hey Jeff I have a mostly open 5 acres with trails do you think planting some switchgrass and food plot would be good and maybe leave the bushes and small pine trees in that mix of switch? Thanks
Hi Ronald! Very hard to determine what you should do in the comment section. But make sure that you leave solid clusters of pines, bushes and switch...also surrounding the field in switch spending on the terrain.
Great video! and thank you so much for all your teachings! I have bought two of your books and have learned so much. Topic Idea: Could you touch on camps or homes on a small hunting parcel and what effects they have on deer movement or your food plots. I think there are a few of us out here that would like to learn more about it so we can make the necessary changes to our property. Example: how close can i have a travel corridor to a home if i screen the house? If second story of the camp is still be visible, is that an issue?
Good info Jeff. Small plots are productive if set up properly. Hunt 15 acres with bow and have success every year. BRW could you tell me again the brand of cold weather clothing you wear? Thanks
Hi Mike...thank you! I wear First Lite. Specifically during the single digits and teens, I wear the sanctuary bibs and jacket. I layer it with their Furnace merino wool base layers and a fuse long sleeve top as well. I also then use the down vest....been very warm down to single digits this season!
Jeff how do you portion enough food in those big woods settings to not be overbrowsed and/or sustain movement versus “parking” (since there is no ag/destination)?
Hi Garrett...1 to 3 acre plots that anchor movement are critical! You literally need twice as much food in wilderness areas with 1/2 as many deer, compared to ag
Bought 50 acres in fall last year. It's all woods, but not all hardwoods. From your video the other day seems like I should only make a few small improvements otherwise too much time/money to make a buck paradise. Any suggestions?
Hi Greg there is always something that you can do to improve the land significantly! Mostly hardwoods just limits you and takes longer to develop. The area surrounding the land makes a huge difference as well...
I have 8 acres behind my house. I put in a 1/3 acre foodplot and 2 stands. My freezer gets filled every year. Ga allows 2 bucks and 10 antlerless deer a year. 4 is enough for my family.
@Roger Denney check with dnr about the rifle thing. I have 16acres out in the county, outside of town limits. I constantly have deer, turkey,, squirrels,, rabbits, doves and whatever shows up, on my property. I try to keep the hunting pressure low. I plant in the spring and fall. Plenty of persimmons, Muscatines and oak on my property as well. Cameras are monitored year round.
I really appreciate these videos as they teach me and my 12 yr old son a lot. One question i have is, could you use corn as cover for early fall bow hunting? What i mean by that is could you plant corn in 10-15 foot wide rows and use that to get across fields to get to your stands? We have a field that bucks use every summer and early fall but no way to get to the stands without spooking them.
Hi, Jeff . I have 105 acres in Megargel Texas , about 100 acres is used by farmer for wheat and hay , rest is mesquite trees some kind of weed , and I have a 2 acres pond , I installed corn feeder and a protein feeder on east side where mesquite trees are last year in shot 1 buck . I don't have any food plot , what kind of food plot you can suggest ?.
This video is fantastic! My 5 acre forest is surrounded by vineyard's, orchards, and some AG. Across the street there is also 20 acres of thick bush. Would you combine boarder paralleling 10' wide food plots with increased cover on my 5 acres? Thanks Jeff! The info you provide helps immensely for guys like me who have to learn from my own mistakes lol
Hey Jeff always love the videos, I have been watching and getting knowledge for a couple years from you! I have a central MI 15 acres, surrounded by heavy pressure and HEAVILY hunted state land across the road. There is plenty of ag/food around so I know I can’t out compete but I did put in a 1 acre food plot and am putting in an orchard for my own use. I have a valley and small creek that runs through the middle, floods seasonally, and doesn’t provide good cover or food. My question is are willows or swamp trees my best option for this dead area? I also thought about digging a pond but that is big money.
I have 29 acres in central NY. Very heavy snows and poor soil. Any special recommendations on what type of food on this size acreage with these conditions?
5 acre hard-wood corner parcel owner here. Lot of transitory deer movement this past season. No nearby ag but also little to no hunting pressure. Do you still recommend trying to cultivate a travel corridor type parcel? If I understand correctly, a small 1 acre food plot on my property would likely be depleted quickly. Any quick-tips for your "linear food plots" that wouldn't get depleted quickly?
This video would work with my property if my land was mostly flat but I own 5 acres in the middle of the mountains and one mountain is basically a cliff on one side of the property
Hi Ben that really depends on what is around you, your resources and the local deer herd...pretty complex. Hope the video helps you pick a fit for your land. Removal of at least a portion of white pine may be critical...especially on the inside of the land.
Hi Jeff, really enjoy your small parcel videos. I have 5.5 acres that I used for training beagles for field trials and rabbit hunting. it has been in set aside for over twenty years. I got out of the dog buisness five years ago and took up archery hunting. I have been racking my brains on what to do with my parcel to improve it for better deer hunting until i found your videos. thank you for sharing your experiance and wisdom and willing to help fellow hunters out. Half of my property is a solid stand of grey dog wood and the other half is fox tail do to power line right away and being cleared cut and sprayed. Would there be a problem with leaving a 10' strip of dog wood around the property border as a screening then on the inside of that plant a 10' strip of switch grass?
I have 9 acres Southwest PA with 3 of those an old ag field I cut as grass my other 6 acres is woods/old overgrown ag field very thick. My land sits beside a 70 acre ag field with my 3 grass acres directly beside it other 3 sides are surrounded by timber. Currently have a 1 acre kill plot I dozed in the 6 thick acres with a ground blind accessable via a trail I bulldozed through the thicket. Not sure on what I should do with the 3 acre field I cut as grass. My though is create more cover by planting something just not sure what to plant and should it be multiple types of cover? Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Jeff do you think these processes are effective all over the country? I hunt in VA where dog clubs pressure deer. I say that bc I feel that makes deer nocturnal.
I have a question I am trying to find good spots to put my stands up next year should I put one by a small pond it’s got 2 pine trees and it’s surrounded by a field and I see deer go by it when I am at my house
Hi D I hope so? Got a pic of him on 12/31, then we had an added hunt for the 2nd and 3rd. Heard some shots, but I hope he made it! I don't want tobspook any bucks off the land right now because I like the bucks feeding on the plots to get used to using them. We've had some random bucks come in and the more they use the plots...the earlier they will be back next year.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 ivwent and looked at some new seeding hay fields yesterday? Just to see if I could find a shed.It looked like so.eone took a tiller through about 15 acres of it.No sheds.But a great place to start when the snow comes off.Saw 2 racked buck from the house yesterday .Shouldn't be long now.Found 3 sheds so far."only"75more to go to match last year.If I get 40 I will be happy.My dog needs to step it up tho.He thinks every deer turd is a chocolate chip..🤣🤣
Hey dude big fan You talk alot about cutting in old woods...can you do a video on identifying which trees to cut? I know you arent an arborist but even like subordant, leaners, forks kind of deal? I'd hate to go cut a bunch of stuff I should have kept. Thanks Jeff you rock
Hi Timothy thank you so much!! In the next week to 10 days I have a video coming out titled, "Which trees to cut for whitetails"...already shot it 🙂 Really hope it helps!
I have 5.5 acres in lapeer county MI. I’m in between ag fields and some decent sized swamps.. they cut my fully wooded 5 acres to go from swamp to swamp or field to field. Do you think it’s worth it for me to clear out half acre of trees or so and make a plot? Thanks Jeff 👊🏻👊🏻 Aaron
I have 5 acres in ag land. I have about the only hard wood patch in 2-3 miles. This March starts switch grass/some conifer planting and hunt plots (will be winter rye). One question is my family likes to occasionally (outside of hunting months) to walk mowed paths. What’s the difference (or is there a diff.) between hunting pressure vs walking in and out?
I have a property with the back side running down toward the highway and that’s where the biggest bucks bed for some reason. No intrusion from that direction ever.
I'd love to message you to see what you would suggest about my 6 acres of property. Let me know how I can. I just bought this house with the land on it
Good Morning, My 8 acre Parcel is Mostly Oak, with some Cherry. My question is this, what are your thoughts on Multi-Flower Rose, I have a lot of it, and I’m not sure if it’s Helping me or Hurting Me? That is My majority of Ground Cover
I'm not jeff, lol, but I have a Parcel that was full of multi flora rose and down pine. It was so thick that the deer wouldn't try to travel through it. I went in and cut several corridors through the pines and weed eated and then started spraying trails through the Briars with pockets completely opened up here and there for bedding and it really changed things for the better for me. Just like jeff says all the time, a balance is important with everything.
is it possible to give out the info on how or what app you use to draw out your plans on your laptop or tablet? im trying to design my land but you can only do so much with onx and a couple other mapping apps ive found. if you could respond and just give me an idea where to start i would be forever thankful.
@@jeremykane686 out of curiosity, do the deer really go after the crab apples big time in your area? I've actually never seen a deer eat in them. Lot of coon but never a deer yet.
Ha, Jason for sure 🙂 Happy to give you a break for that too...I will even buy the beer! BTW...in OH for 7 clients starting Wednesday and can add 1 more client 😁
We have just 13 acres. And through watching Jeff’s vids ive learned that it’s the same principles which benefit small parcels as the bigger properties. For two decades we allowed our deer habitat to be subordinate to our red oak timber value. Timber prices falling these last couple years were a blessing in disguise for us. We decided to clear some food plots, hinge cut some bedding cover, and we saw more deer in one season (with a terrible drought) than the combined 20 years.
Anyone can do this. You don’t need big acreage. You don’t need black gold soil, (our soil is 5.2ph with as many rocks as dirt! If our northern Pennsylvania land can improve, anyone’s can!
I'm glad you addressed the 5 acre parcel. I have 5 acres and deer are in my yard all year round. They are use to me but not tame. I'll harvest a couple does every year under my old crab apple tree 20 yards from the house. I have a few nice bucks come through during the rut but I don't harvest them. My property is mostly field with a bit of swamp in the bottom which blends into some cover. Most of the homes in my development are on 5 acres. Only two of us out of the 10+ homes hunt. Great videos and I've learned a lot from watching. Going to put out some type of plot for them this year. Thanks for all the great advice you provide us viewers!!
The land I’m building on is the same setup with a swamp running east to west through the middle leading to ag, how did you set it up to hunt?
@@brandoncardwell6021 Well my set up is very unconventional, funny but true...I just walk out of the garage...sit in a chair with one in front of me to use as a rest for my crossbow. Bottom line it's conditioning. Deer come up to check for Crabapples daily and we have a garden and a poly tunnel which we share vegetables that aren't perfect for canning all year round so we are a food source. I have pics of the deer 15-20 yards in front of me while I'm sitting there with my crossbow lol No scent control or fancy hunting tactics, I smoke and wait for the right one. However when I first moved here 12 years ago i had my tree stand down in the bottom where the swamp feeds in to the thick growth where their trail goes in between the two and leads into my field. I can send pics of my property and how it's laid out if that would help. Like I said it's a unique set up lol
@@frankhopkins7032 the bottom is only about 190 yards wide but it comes out to a field edge on the south side so my plan is to make a small hunting plot and screen it off, I know they bed off of the property and pass through to get to the crops so my main goal is to find a way to keep them on the property longer
@@brandoncardwell6021 I would recommend planting some type of fruit trees. Apples, Persimmons, Pear. That'll will keep them coming in for years. The Crabapple tree I have is very old and didn't produce a lot this year because of a late frost, but I will be planting some quick growing fruit trees this Spring. Also going to do some Imperial clover, buckwheat and thinking about a patch of soybean. Good luck getting it sorted and hope this may have helped. I'm no expert like Mr Sturgis but it works for me lol
@@frankhopkins7032 good luck out there thanks for some advice!
I have a 10+ acre parcel in Southwestern Ohio of which 7 acres are actually hunt-able. Your info has been a tremendous blessing as we utilize your knowledge to create our small hunting and recreational sanctuary. Thank you for all the effort you put into the information as well as the quality product the WHS provides for FREE! Again, thank you!
I have a 5.5 acre parcel in Waupaca....my eyes lit up seeing this video title!!
Nice Chris...hope it helps a lot!
Same! Lol. I live in 5.5 acres in lapeer county MI
Iola here
That's God's county! I hunt in Iola.
I see you using an app or a editing software on your tablets when you show how you design properties. You got it all color coded for the different areas for food plots, trials, switchgrass, red X’s for stands etc. and you’re easily able to change and erase and add these areas with the pen or your fingers. Are you able to share what that is? I cant really fine anything like that online or on the App Store and I think it would be very useful for when trying to figure out how to setup our property when deciding and changing up how to do things. If you are able to share that that would be awesome! I greatly appreciate all your content I just got in to hunting this year and our property has some amazing potential to have a high quality deer Heard. Been watching all your videos and learning how to do things efficiently effectively and be a better hunter and have fun with it so thanks a lot!
I have 13 wooded acres in southern MI. We transformed it into 1/2 security cover and 1/2 food plots. We know bucks won't bed here on a regular bases, we're targeting the bucks that are cruising through the Pre Rut. We've killed some nice bucks in early Nov. using sex, food and cover. Your strategies work Jeff. Thanks for doing videos for us "small" landowners!
Your small parcel habitat management advice for deer hunting is as good as it gets! Thanks again.
Thanks a lot Cris...hope you are able to enjoy the land in the off season too 👍
Suburban hunts are part of my routine, along with private land, leasing & a club- some HUGE bucks are in the suburbs, most hunts are just no fun (the ambiance, if there is such a thing) by kids on bikes, dog walkers, neighbors that like to talk while getting dressed at the truck or jealous hunters that think they have the monopoly etc... Best to hunt mid week, mornings & if I only have the weekend, Sunday mornings are infinitely quieter than Saturday mornings.
That's how I grew up hunting in lower MI in the mid to late 80s. I love it! You are right tho not as much for ambiance BUT, still beautiful getting out. All a matter of perspective I guess? Brings back fond memories...
I have 1500 acre parcel in Kansas. Just bought your books and learning a lot. But I have a lot of work to do still.
I got a 172 typical this year on my first tree stand sit
Jim, may I ask what you do? I have a reason for asking. I have a TH-cam show, and quite a backstory to go with it. I’m deer obsessed and like to know how... well people think
You may want to have Jeff come out and give you a plan for your property. With that much property you want to make sure you get it right. I read his books and watched his videos, but I didn't trust myself and had him come out to my Wyoming property. So glad I did, because I got stuff wrong.
I really enjoy this channel and all your info. This video made my day. We purchased 10 acres out in the country with about a 2 acres pond on the corner and are going to build. So having this to know how to maximize hunting potential with what I have left is awesome!
I've been waiting for a 5 acre parcel video. Thank you jeff 😎👊.
That'd perfect Frank you are very welcome!
We have a 400 acre place we no lease but are still going to implement some of these strategies on that-made some last year creating more cover and locating food plots in better locations with better access and really seen the benefit. Thanks for another great video Jeff.
Andrew you are very welcome! That is great to hear too...all the same concept whether small or large, but a 400 acre parcel typically has HUGE potential! Enjoy the off season 🙂
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 You too-still trying to stretch it out. Our season ends in 5 days and still trying to get one of the other target bucks left.
Good luck! Our season goes until 1/31 in WI...I love hunting this time of the season. Saw a really big one last night just too far...
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 had the same thing happen to me yesterday-target buck 80 yards away with some does but never closed the distance-Good luck the rest of the season.
13 acres in mid Michigan, 2 does and a 6 point this year.
But as you said..Diversity of trees, lots of white oak and apple. Also, it has pine river running 12 acres of it creating a nice thick valley, surrounded by Ag fields on 3 sides.
Thank you for this video, I have 4.07 acres out in New Franken. Lots of hard wood acorn producing trees with a swamp in the front with field. I am surrounded by corn and wheat fields.
That's awesome...sounds perfect!! And you are very welcome...it is amazing what you can do on small parcels!
Good stuff Jeff, I think a lot of us get caught up in the more acres the better, but I think you’re right 40-120 and a few of those parcels miles away from each other you benefit from different herds!
My parents have 6 acres in western NY. This year I'm going to try and improve the habitat on the property. Its surrounded on two sides by a large ag field that is empty come deer season and road on the other two sides. Already have a mix of swamp thick cover and a half acre over grown field on the east side. Watching many of your videos has helped me out a ton when trying to come up with a plan for the property! Can't wait to try things out this year. Thanks for your videos.
This video opened up a lot to me. I feel like in the last few years I fell into a trap where I think I need extremely large parcels to be a successful deer hunter. I look forward to applying these tips in this upcoming season.
If you have property and have it posted just put up a feeder and you will have literal pets of your choosing in 1-3 years. Just need a place they feel safe and a reason to get them to come over
Love your videos. I am working on a 11-acre parcel that has two funnels and all the aspects you're talking about...the only thing is it is at the dead end of a suburban neighborhood with CRP bordering the East side, more than 100 acres of woods at the north end of the funnels, hay fields and houses to the west with lots of thick greenbrier and privet along the fencerows. Enjoying the experience of implementing the plan I created based on your concepts. Thanks for the knowledge.
I just love these small parcel vidoes. Alot of great info here
That's great to hear...we really appreciate you watching all of the time! I will try to bring more of those small parcel vids...
Wow, you described my property to a T, 3 acres behind my house, I've been working to make it better, thanks for all the info. Last 2 yrs have had some giants on camera, still mostly at night but more daylight activity every yr.
Been using your methods on my 10 acres in upstate NY is turn my success around big time.. Thanks!
Man I love to hear that Randy, really happy for you!!
I hope to do same Randy. I'm located around syracuse
Thanks Jeff, live on a farm with 5 acres. All the surrounding land are agricultural just like mine. I get deer on camera but only at night due to there being absolutely no coverage. Its gonna be a challenge to get more deer attracted and hang around the property more but its gonna be worth it
I have some pine, cedar swamp mixed with maples, Aspen, ash. Up in Deerton (NoDeerton). Sent off my soil sample to see how to improve my acidic, low nutrients, low PH, sandy soil. Already located a place in Marquette that will deliver bulk lime and or top soil.
I have a buddy who has access to a lot of 5 acre parcels in the middle of ag fields and between ag fields in michigan. He shoots two monsters every year. He knows their movement so well he only has to go hunting once or twice.
This video really fits me, Jeff thank you for the content!
That's great and you are very welcome! So much that you can still do with tiny parcels 👍
Perfect video for my little 8 acres in Sanilac County MI.
Lightly fried radishes in olive oil are an excellent vegetable to serve with venison! Think about all the food for a meal coming from the land is the crown jewel of a hunters meal.
Man that sounds good right now Rick!! Reminded me I am hungry 😊
Hey Jeff, just watched your video on small parcels and this really applies to my 10 acres near Leonard. Already looking forward to foodplot planting time. John LaPine
Nice John...I hope you have a lot of fun with it! Always good to hear from you 🙂
I have 8 acres of solid mature pines and oaks in SE Oklahoma. All of the land around me is same as mine. I'm thinking of hitching about an acre of trees and then putting in a food plot right in the center of my property. Also want to build a small 10x10 pond. I'd plant buckwheat and clover.
Thank you for the information Jeff I got some homework to do this year on our property keep up the great work and putting out the videos
You’re timing is great just so happens picking up a 5 acre parcel bout 2 minutes from existing land hopefully doesn’t turn out to be just another grass cutting job for me
This is great I have 17 acres that backs up to 15k of public land. Got my wheels turning thinking about how I can make it better
I live in 10 acres MD, love the vids!
I have 5.5 in Sc, 3 of it is wooded, 2 of that huntable. I have at least 1 big buck(for area) hanging around every season. And lots of decent bucks preseason. It was hard for me to grasp at first as I grew up on 300 wooded acres and rarely saw any big bucks.
Due to the area and the way it’s laid out(funnelish), I think if I were to take that buck, another would filter in. Usually when the big one shows up in hunting season(each year) most of the 2.5yo basket 8s leave.
I live on 5 acres never shot a deer off of it but I have 4 doe family's I feed year round,got pics of t nice 3 year olds waiting on big boy to slide through,got a 2 acre pasture that's empty now,horses are gone,😢now time to plant some goods for them,corn cost to much lol,great video
Perfect for places I hunt around Pittsburgh
Amen to that Ron...I love those kind locations!
Do you have a video of the effects of having livestock on hunting property will it change the deer movement largely or very little
This video fits me as well! Thank you Jeff!
That's great to hear Duane...really hope it helps a lot!
Hey Jeff I have a mostly open 5 acres with trails do you think planting some switchgrass and food plot would be good and maybe leave the bushes and small pine trees in that mix of switch? Thanks
Hi Ronald! Very hard to determine what you should do in the comment section. But make sure that you leave solid clusters of pines, bushes and switch...also surrounding the field in switch spending on the terrain.
Great video! and thank you so much for all your teachings! I have bought two of your books and have learned so much. Topic Idea: Could you touch on camps or homes on a small hunting parcel and what effects they have on deer movement or your food plots. I think there are a few of us out here that would like to learn more about it so we can make the necessary changes to our property. Example: how close can i have a travel corridor to a home if i screen the house? If second story of the camp is still be visible, is that an issue?
I second this idea.
Great advice Jeff.
Thank you very much Mitchell...I really hope that it helps you out!
Thanks Jeff! Appreciate the content, as always 👍
Thanks a lot Mike you are very welcome!
Good info Jeff. Small plots are productive if set up properly. Hunt 15 acres with bow and have success every year. BRW could you tell me again the brand of cold weather clothing you wear? Thanks
Hi Mike...thank you!
I wear First Lite. Specifically during the single digits and teens, I wear the sanctuary bibs and jacket. I layer it with their Furnace merino wool base layers and a fuse long sleeve top as well. I also then use the down vest....been very warm down to single digits this season!
Jeff how do you portion enough food in those big woods settings to not be overbrowsed and/or sustain movement versus “parking” (since there is no ag/destination)?
Hi Garrett...1 to 3 acre plots that anchor movement are critical! You literally need twice as much food in wilderness areas with 1/2 as many deer, compared to ag
Bought 50 acres in fall last year. It's all woods, but not all hardwoods. From your video the other day seems like I should only make a few small improvements otherwise too much time/money to make a buck paradise. Any suggestions?
Hi Greg there is always something that you can do to improve the land significantly! Mostly hardwoods just limits you and takes longer to develop. The area surrounding the land makes a huge difference as well...
I have 8 acres behind my house. I put in a 1/3 acre foodplot and 2 stands. My freezer gets filled every year. Ga allows 2 bucks and 10 antlerless deer a year. 4 is enough for my family.
@Roger Denney check with dnr about the rifle thing. I have 16acres out in the county, outside of town limits. I constantly have deer, turkey,, squirrels,, rabbits, doves and whatever shows up, on my property. I try to keep the hunting pressure low. I plant in the spring and fall. Plenty of persimmons, Muscatines and oak on my property as well. Cameras are monitored year round.
I really appreciate these videos as they teach me and my 12 yr old son a lot. One question i have is, could you use corn as cover for early fall bow hunting? What i mean by that is could you plant corn in 10-15 foot wide rows and use that to get across fields to get to your stands? We have a field that bucks use every summer and early fall but no way to get to the stands without spooking them.
I am going to do this with my back 5 acers. We have tons of mulies everywhere.
Hi, Jeff . I have 105 acres in Megargel Texas , about 100 acres is used by farmer for wheat and hay , rest is mesquite trees some kind of weed , and I have a 2 acres pond , I installed corn feeder and a protein feeder on east side where mesquite trees are last year in shot 1 buck . I don't have any food plot , what kind of food plot you can suggest ?.
This video is fantastic! My 5 acre forest is surrounded by vineyard's, orchards, and some AG. Across the street there is also 20 acres of thick bush. Would you combine boarder paralleling 10' wide food plots with increased cover on my 5 acres?
Thanks Jeff! The info you provide helps immensely for guys like me who have to learn from my own mistakes lol
Hey Jeff always love the videos, I have been watching and getting knowledge for a couple years from you! I have a central MI 15 acres, surrounded by heavy pressure and HEAVILY hunted state land across the road. There is plenty of ag/food around so I know I can’t out compete but I did put in a 1 acre food plot and am putting in an orchard for my own use. I have a valley and small creek that runs through the middle, floods seasonally, and doesn’t provide good cover or food. My question is are willows or swamp trees my best option for this dead area? I also thought about digging a pond but that is big money.
I have 29 acres in central NY. Very heavy snows and poor soil. Any special recommendations on what type of food on this size acreage with these conditions?
5 acre hard-wood corner parcel owner here. Lot of transitory deer movement this past season. No nearby ag but also little to no hunting pressure. Do you still recommend trying to cultivate a travel corridor type parcel? If I understand correctly, a small 1 acre food plot on my property would likely be depleted quickly. Any quick-tips for your "linear food plots" that wouldn't get depleted quickly?
This video would work with my property if my land was mostly flat but I own 5 acres in the middle of the mountains and one mountain is basically a cliff on one side of the property
What is your advice on 6 acres of mature white pines with thick blackberry briars underneath?
Hi Ben that really depends on what is around you, your resources and the local deer herd...pretty complex. Hope the video helps you pick a fit for your land. Removal of at least a portion of white pine may be critical...especially on the inside of the land.
Hi Jeff, really enjoy your small parcel videos. I have 5.5 acres that I used for training beagles for field trials and rabbit hunting. it has been in set aside for over twenty years. I got out of the dog buisness five years ago and took up archery hunting. I have been racking my brains on what to do with my parcel to improve it for better deer hunting until i found your videos. thank you for sharing your experiance and wisdom and willing to help fellow hunters out. Half of my property is a solid stand of grey dog wood and the other half is fox tail do to power line right away and being cleared cut and sprayed. Would there be a problem with leaving a 10' strip of dog wood around the property border as a screening then on the inside of that plant a 10' strip of switch grass?
I have 9 acres Southwest PA with 3 of those an old ag field I cut as grass my other 6 acres is woods/old overgrown ag field very thick. My land sits beside a 70 acre ag field with my 3 grass acres directly beside it other 3 sides are surrounded by timber. Currently have a 1 acre kill plot I dozed in the 6 thick acres with a ground blind accessable via a trail I bulldozed through the thicket. Not sure on what I should do with the 3 acre field I cut as grass. My though is create more cover by planting something just not sure what to plant and should it be multiple types of cover? Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
I was like #500! btw, thanks for bringing up my mortality.
Ha, for sure 😊
Jeff do you think these processes are effective all over the country? I hunt in VA where dog clubs pressure deer. I say that bc I feel that makes deer nocturnal.
If I have about 6-7 acres and can only hunt about 1-2 acres because most is swamp. How many stands and feeders would you have
I have a question I am trying to find good spots to put my stands up next year should I put one by a small pond it’s got 2 pine trees and it’s surrounded by a field and I see deer go by it when I am at my house
Do you ever use switch grass in small bedding areas or just for blocking as you go in? Thanks
Great stuff as always..Is that drop tine buck still around?
Hi D I hope so? Got a pic of him on 12/31, then we had an added hunt for the 2nd and 3rd. Heard some shots, but I hope he made it! I don't want tobspook any bucks off the land right now because I like the bucks feeding on the plots to get used to using them. We've had some random bucks come in and the more they use the plots...the earlier they will be back next year.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 ivwent and looked at some new seeding hay fields yesterday? Just to see if I could find a shed.It looked like so.eone took a tiller through about 15 acres of it.No sheds.But a great place to start when the snow comes off.Saw 2 racked buck from the house yesterday .Shouldn't be long now.Found 3 sheds so far."only"75more to go to match last year.If I get 40 I will be happy.My dog needs to step it up tho.He thinks every deer turd is a chocolate chip..🤣🤣
Hey dude big fan
You talk alot about cutting in old woods...can you do a video on identifying which trees to cut? I know you arent an arborist but even like subordant, leaners, forks kind of deal? I'd hate to go cut a bunch of stuff I should have kept.
Thanks Jeff you rock
Hi Timothy thank you so much!! In the next week to 10 days I have a video coming out titled, "Which trees to cut for whitetails"...already shot it 🙂 Really hope it helps!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 dude you and your crew are amazing thank you!
I have 5.5 acres in lapeer county MI. I’m in between ag fields and some decent sized swamps.. they cut my fully wooded 5 acres to go from swamp to swamp or field to field. Do you think it’s worth it for me to clear out half acre of trees or so and make a plot? Thanks Jeff 👊🏻👊🏻
Aaron
I have 5 acres in ag land. I have about the only hard wood patch in 2-3 miles. This March starts switch grass/some conifer planting and hunt plots (will be winter rye). One question is my family likes to occasionally (outside of hunting months) to walk mowed paths. What’s the difference (or is there a diff.) between hunting pressure vs walking in and out?
You need to stop that immediately
Great information, your land just needs to be more desirable than surrounding parcels to draw the deer of the area
Hey Jeff! I was wondering if you had any advice with hunting fields and pasture. I have a little bit of woods. And I mean little.
Would you consider a property along a busy highway or try to avoid these areas?
Ronny, some of those areas are incredible!! I definitely would...
I have a property with the back side running down toward the highway and that’s where the biggest bucks bed for some reason. No intrusion from that direction ever.
The best area I hunted was right of a highway in mi. Tons of mature bucks walked right down the highway fence.
Thanks Kyle
what’s your thoughts on north woods whitetail heavy duty screening compared to switchgrass?
I love both! HD screening for short term solution...switchgrass for long term. The screening is also quite quite bit taller, if needed.
I'd love to message you to see what you would suggest about my 6 acres of property. Let me know how I can. I just bought this house with the land on it
I have 4.6 acres in osage County OK. Let's get it!
Enjoy it!
Thanks! We see a lot of huge bucks on there but only at night as I'm still learning A LOT on how to properly hunt like a true predator.
I have does bedding but no bucks bedding on my 10-15 acre property with an ag field. Have only seen a few bucks. Why is this?
@@webincomeincome8767 I’m pretty sure we have a good amount of does but I see where you’re coming from, thanks
Good Morning, My 8 acre Parcel is Mostly Oak, with some Cherry.
My question is this, what are your thoughts on Multi-Flower Rose, I have a lot of it, and I’m not sure if it’s Helping me or Hurting Me? That is My majority of Ground Cover
I'm not jeff, lol, but I have a Parcel that was full of multi flora rose and down pine. It was so thick that the deer wouldn't try to travel through it. I went in and cut several corridors through the pines and weed eated and then started spraying trails through the Briars with pockets completely opened up here and there for bedding and it really changed things for the better for me. Just like jeff says all the time, a balance is important with everything.
Do you have any thing on river land hunting? And I would also like to shear the map of the place I hunt maybe PM me when you have time
Jeff, please post on Rumble. Trying not to use TH-cam and hoping to delete it soon. Thank you sir!
is it possible to give out the info on how or what app you use to draw out your plans on your laptop or tablet? im trying to design my land but you can only do so much with onx and a couple other mapping apps ive found. if you could respond and just give me an idea where to start i would be forever thankful.
Take a screen shot and then you should be able to go into photos and use mark up to draw on them
What do I do with a lot of crab apples tree on one side of my property?
Hunt over them. Lol
@@shawnb789 I do that already ahah
@@jeremykane686 lol. I figured. Just couldn't help but comment. I just planted some crab apple last year at my place. Happy huntin bud.
Lol
@@jeremykane686 out of curiosity, do the deer really go after the crab apples big time in your area? I've actually never seen a deer eat in them. Lot of coon but never a deer yet.
Jeff can I just hire you to come to my property in ohio and hang out and drink beer
Ha, Jason for sure 🙂 Happy to give you a break for that too...I will even buy the beer! BTW...in OH for 7 clients starting Wednesday and can add 1 more client 😁
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 are you going to be in northeast ohio. I’m in lake county in Kirtland
It’s so true, I live on 3.5 acres and am able to kill the biggest deer in the area year after year
Jeff try not to die next year my deer hunting property will be rlly bad if u die
Ha, I will try not to!
Anen