Duck Accommodations Learn how to attract ducks and other migratory birds by sustainably managing your property, reducing predation and controlling hunting pressure. Read More Small Game, Waterfowl, Land Management, How-To, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers, Nativ Nurseries
Candy Crops for Hunting Plots Make the most of your late summer/fall food plots by planting crops deer will love. Learn more about how to attract deer to your hunting plot. Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers, BioLogic
A Time and Place for Mast Trees In a nutshell, it’s all about the species of trees you choose to grow, and most importantly where you plant them that can make such a drastic difference. At Nativ Nurseries, we raise a wide spectrum of species– all beneficial for wildlife, but again it’s about where you put them that is so key when it comes to improving huntability. Most of us have learned by now how to grow and hold more mature bucks Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management, How-To, Nativ Nurseries
The Strategies of Hinge Cutting Hinge cutting is an easy to do habitat modification that has been gaining popularity over recent years because of the increase in the micromanagement of land to hold more wildlife, improve the hunting experience and increase the odds for hunting success. Most hinge cutting techniques involve cutting partially through a tree and laying it to the ground to create a living, horizontal habitat structure. This technique may be modified and placed appropriately to produce different Read More Land Management, How-To
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Planting food plots for mule deer in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, who would have thought the “Rockies” were a good place for such a plan? Apparently no one except me! I found that out while doing research to plant one such plot. I also learned that the details on Rocky Mountain food plots was about as limited as the details on plant species mule deer require and what they prefer in a food plot Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management
Food Plot Crops that Bring Down Big Bucks During late summer and fall planting season much of what will be sewed are seeds that grow plants meant for attraction. Some of the plants also have great nutritional value too, but most hunters really don’t think about that. They want a plot that will give them harvest opportunities. For this type of a “hunting plot,” plant selection, plot design and timing your plantings are very important components for success. Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management
Lethal Concoctions With all the herbicides on the market I am frequently asked what each can be used for, which ones can be mixed and what can be added to them to make them more effective. It definitely saves time and can be very helpful to be able to mix herbicides and spray multiple herbicides in one application. Here are a few of the more common herbicides used in food plotting and some do’s and don’ts when Read More Land Management, How-To
Proper Planning for Proper Planting Formulating a plan this time of year on what, when, and where you are going to plant cool season plots can save time and frustration. Waiting until the very last minute and scrambling to find seed, equipment or fertilizer can be a major headache. Read More Land Management, How-To, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers
Keep Your Property Free of Trespassers When you catch someone on your property during hunting season who isn’t supposed to be there, what do they always tell you? “I’m tracking a wounded deer.” They say this because in most states it is legal to follow a wounded animal across a property border to try and recover it. The problem is that habitual trespassers have learned this defense and use it for an excuse to go wherever they please. On the chance Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management, Mossy Oak, Nativ Nurseries
A Serious Oinking Hazard My two sons and I love to hunt and shoot wild hogs, especially after deer season. Wild hog hunting provides many opportunities for my sons and I to share the outdoors together. It also helps us to sharpen our shooting/hunting skills during the off-season. Read More Big Game, Land Management, How-To
Protect Your Plots from Drought With today’s ever-changing climates and rainfall often in short supply, it is very important for land managers to be prepared for the worst. Certain steps can be taken during the hot, dry summer months to effectively maximize the production of your food plots even during drought conditions or periods of limited rainfall. Inadequate precipitation or droughts (especially during the summer months) can be detrimental to your food plots if you are not prepared. Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management, How-To, BioLogic
Change of Seasons We had him! Chad McKibben, John Copas and I, sat huddled around Chad’s computer looking at pictures of a beautiful nine-point buck that came to feed as regularly as clockwork throughout the summer months. Game camera photos offered us a window into the buck’s life and helped us plot his movements with great precision. Now the only dilemma that remained was to decide which of us would have an opportunity to take him on opening Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management, BioLogic
Food Plot Tips: Mowing and Broadcasting Mowing your perennials is essential if you wish to have attractive, palatable clover plots. However, you never want to mow all of your perennials at once! And a common mistake when broadcasting seed onto a seedbed is putting it on much too thick. Learn the best way to ensure proper coverage. Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management, How-To
Trespass-Proof Clearly, legally post your property with signs every 50 yards along your borders. Make sure there is no excuse. Every so often you’ll get obtuse offenders that are bold enough to violate your markers regardless, but that’s exactly why it’s important to prosecute. Read More Land Management, How-To
X Marks the Spot Out of all the avenues this buck could have taken in the middle of 2,000 acres of timber, why did he pick the route where I was waiting? More importantly, why did “I” choose that spot? Many hunters have questions about treestand placement. Every situation is different and there aren't any rules where there aren't exceptions to them. However, over the years I've learned some general practices that will help in most situations when placing Read More Big Game, Deer, Land Management