One of my old hunting areas has been hit very bad by a couple of spring storms. One hillside of close to 10 acres is laying flat. The next hill over is covered in blow downs and saplings as tall if not taller than me. Its THICK.There is a great saddle near the top that used to be a dynamite spot and maybe still is that is pretty clear but I dont think I can get in there quiet enough to hunt it. Its that thick. I have thought about making a very small trail but that just makes access for someone else. I have also thought about going in there VERY early and giving things a chance to settle down.
I plan on getting in there this weekend to have a good look around and see if its worth my time.
Any suggestions ?
An ice storm demolished a lot of the mountains here around 1990 and made it a jungle for about 10 years. Some of the best hunting I ever experienced. Lots of birds and lots of deer
This got hit in '08 and then again in '10 its a jungle. All the river bottoms got destroyed in the '93 flood and I will never see it the way it was in my life time.
These kinds of damage (including even man made thinnings and clear cuts) are a perfectly natural setback that allows for successional growth. Game species in particular rely on these setbacks to provide browse and cover. These areas will provide prime nesting and brood habitat for turkeys later in the year. Whether or not they will use these areas during the spring breeding period is anyone's guess. Your best option is to get out and scout now. Look for sign, if they aren't there move on and find where they are, but know that they will benefit as a population from this change.
Quote from: ilbucksndux on March 19, 2014, 03:55:51 PM
I have also thought about going in there VERY early and giving things a chance to settle down.
I plan on getting in there this weekend to have a good look around and see if its worth my time.
Any suggestions ?
Well I got in there and saw LOTSA turkey sign ,but I think that even going in a few hours early I will blow the birds into the next county.
don't give up, figure out how they are coming and going from the area and hunt those places if you are afraid of busting them. work with what mother nature gives ya. Over time that area will thin and be ultra productive.