I've got a set of wide open creek bottoms in between a super thick bedding area and a future food plot that are just screaming for me to plant some of this stuff.
Yeah we’re allowed to supplemental feed where I’m at so I have corn and deer pellets available to them but I cut my firewood in the winter time and leave the tree tops for the deer to browse and you wouldn’t believe the tracks around those tree tops they hit them just as much as a corn pile browse is huge for deer
I suggest planting a stand or two of crabapple trees... turned my Grandad"s place from good hunting to deer paradise...same growth as you are hooked up with there... I protected the crabapple trunks to 4 feet up because the rabbits ( chewing bark) and buck rubs tore up the first plantings
I actually planted 15 crabapple and 5 pear trees last spring at that farm. I ended up caging them all in. Hoping it will make the property even better within 5 years. Here’s a link to that video! ruclips.net/video/ZCCbH4ffbF0/видео.htmlsi=VsXdVU94eCL1zGQE
Nate.....great comments. We added 30 apple trees and a few pear to complement our food plots. We don't have any natural wet areas so our attempt at planting willows etc. have not been very successful. Maybe we will try some Aspen in the future. Keep up the good work. Bob
I have a bunch of Aspen that have come up naturally along a ditch. They spread like crazy by the roots which sends up new trees. I have some that are 14 foot tall that are not even 3 years old! I’ll be releasing that video next week. The willows do need wet feet or they won’t make it. Good luck Bob!
@@rfb7117 I cut them from existing shoots to plant at the other farm. You can see how they spread once established! Check out Sustainable Wildlife Habitats In Cambridge. www.google.com/gasearch?q=sustainable%20habitat%20solutions&tbm=&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5
I've had the picture this app for a while. Canadian prepper is the dude I first heard that from. Cuz I was looking to be able to find edible plants when I take my kids hiking. I should have been thinking about using this for hunting as well.
I wish I could find a place in north central Missouri to find some Red Osier Dogwoods to get some cuttings from. I bought some potted shrubs on sale for $22 each, planted and watered them all summer. The deer were eating on them constantly. I successfully planted some cuttings, but again, the deer ate them down, so I am needing to plant a LOT OF CUTTINGS to stay ahead of the deer! Caging them is too expensive. My plan is to plant the new cuttings in my slash cuttings so the deer don't find them too quickly. I am lucky in that I do have a lot of American Plum trees that have taken off and are spreading quickly!
Yeah that dogwood is like candy to the deer. I think having a bunch of food plots near by helps. Mine still get browsed very heavily though! Good luck!
Switchgrass has a different purpose than the willows or ROD. Switchgrass is for screening access. The willows and ROD are for bedding cover. Deer won’t bed in switchgrass so it’s safer access. You don’t want your access going where deer are going to be.
Deer won't bed in switch grass? Where did you hear that lie. I guess all the deer we have jumped or shot out of 10-15 acre switch grass patches didn't know they weren't supposed to bed there.
That small farm surprise’s me every fall I hunt it. The bucks I see in there are unbelievable for such a small piece. The dogwood and willows really make that farm what it is for sure. I wouldn’t even need to do food plots and still would have nice bucks i think. Thanks for the feedback!
If you cut patches of the older declining willow during winter dormant season it may regenerate the old declining areas to thicker younger regrowth in the coming years.
It definitely seems the mature bucks like pushing doe’s in these small thick patches of cover. I thought the first year I hunted it maybe it was a fluke. It now seems like a very consistent pattern at the farm! Big bucks love thickets!
Yeah I thought it was a fluke to but they do it consistently every yr, granted it's not always the biggest deer around but they all know what's up, He felt so safe he bedded right back down after I grazed him, I thought he was dead but no he just bedded back down Cause his doe never left, and he's so smart cause she got up and walked out of the edge of it and he just stood up watched her for a min and layed back down, she ate for about 10 min and rejoined him, I watched the same spot without being able to see him for 5 hrs, it was brutal, but there was a drain like structure that he layed in , and what gave him away is I seen him do it the yr before when I passed on him, but they only do it during rut and then they disappeare, but all the local bucks will scent check that hill knowing that the does will be in there
@@troybrake5686 You got a good spot there it sounds try and hold onto it! Sounds just what I experience on my farm. The biggest bucks around will check those thickets for about 3 weeks then disappear.
@@Natesbowhunting I have professional managed irrigated huge AG fields butted up next to me to the South. They rotate two years of corn and then one year of soybeans and then repeat. Crop dusted, etc. I plant two plus acres of brassicas on one half and a Fall forage blend next to their AG field. Having deer isn’t a problem and you are correct the biggest bucks like the thickest stuff!
@@Natesbowhunting thanks and you too! Having too many deer has it’s challenges also! Have to fool all the other deer before you even get eyes on the big ones! They don’t get old by being stupid!
@@BradSmith-hf8bz The willows were there naturally along the creek. I did some transplanting and cuttings to make them spread. Thanks for the comment!👍
do you create trails through this in order to direct the deer movement? or let them get into the cover vs just staying on the edge? Im curious to see the layout of it all. thinking about moving away from switch and trying something like this
I do create trails to bring them within bow range. This video shows trails I’ve made and results 👍ruclips.net/video/xWGBJO-HXds/видео.htmlsi=dAPDiHVMJt1I9uKS
Hello Nate first thanks for all the great content!! Quick question I’ve been trying to find a place to buy some willow trees . But all I find is the hybrid willow trees ! Have any suggestions where I could buy a few plants ? Or maybe sell me some ? 😂 I have an ideal place along a small stream on my property that has been devastated by over browsing before I acquired the property. Thanks for your time!!!!
@@paull3262 g.co/kgs/UY2d3ZF That’s where I get my trees here in Wisconsin. If you Google search there are a few places that deliver throughout the US. Appreciate the comment and good luck!👍
@@chrisgraff6874 I’d have to see the property. If it’s the only good cover around I’d leave it without question! Bucks love bedding in it and doe’s will use it as security cover. There are better things like dogwood and willows but it’s excellent deer habitat👍
I’ve heard guys that have coyote willows in Minnesota! I would say they are a safe bet if looking to create a thicket and have some wet soil! Thanks and good luck!
I personally have not hunted in Texas. It looks like you are out of Dogwood range unfortunately. I’ve heard good woody browse down there is (yaupon, greenbrier, blackberries(rubus). Good luck🦌
@@Natesbowhunting thanks for the reply, I knew they would bed with thick to their backs so they can see in front of them . Wasn’t sure about inside of thicket .
@@Natesbowhunting yes I see it alot in Michigan. I love property’s that look like yours. I just got a house without about 8 acres of mature hardwood I’m looking to open up and mix a lot of thick diversity like you’re speaking of
Great video. Much better than your doe video. I think the doe video had some good information but you went on too long about what you were going to discuss. This got right to the point!
@@Natesbowhunting Oh ok I was just curious because I wanted to compare my area to yours as far as how well the planting and such might go. I'm in Midwest Michigan and I'm trying to fill in what used to be a 17 acre corn field with something for the deer, so I'm hoping to have similar results. Thanks again for the very helpful content 👍
Switchgrass has very little to no food value, over rated period, I find bucks love to browse and rub and leave scent on their cover, the willows are great for your wetlands, and swampy areas.........
Never was a fan of switchgrass myself. Rod and Willows spot on
I've got a set of wide open creek bottoms in between a super thick bedding area and a future food plot that are just screaming for me to plant some of this stuff.
Yeah we’re allowed to supplemental feed where I’m at so I have corn and deer pellets available to them but I cut my firewood in the winter time and leave the tree tops for the deer to browse and you wouldn’t believe the tracks around those tree tops they hit them just as much as a corn pile browse is huge for deer
Good info that’s the first I’ve heard that. Thanks for sharing and good luck this season!
Nate that's a awesome habitat you have! I'm. Going to check and see if the red dogwood will work here in southern Illinois.. Great idea!!
Scout the browse in your area and plant preferred browse if possible
I dogwood is native in Illinois. Good luck and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! Thanks for the comment 👍
I suggest planting a stand or two of crabapple trees... turned my Grandad"s place from good hunting to deer paradise...same growth as you are hooked up with there... I protected the crabapple trunks to 4 feet up because the rabbits ( chewing bark) and buck rubs tore up the first plantings
I actually planted 15 crabapple and 5 pear trees last spring at that farm. I ended up caging them all in. Hoping it will make the property even better within 5 years. Here’s a link to that video! ruclips.net/video/ZCCbH4ffbF0/видео.htmlsi=VsXdVU94eCL1zGQE
Nate.....great comments. We added 30 apple trees and a few pear to complement our food plots. We don't have any natural wet areas so our attempt at planting willows etc. have not been very successful. Maybe we will try some Aspen in the future. Keep up the good work. Bob
What is the app you use to identify plants and trees?
@@rfb7117 ‘Picture This’ Is the App you are looking for
I have a bunch of Aspen that have come up naturally along a ditch. They spread like crazy by the roots which sends up new trees. I have some that are 14 foot tall that are not even 3 years old! I’ll be releasing that video next week. The willows do need wet feet or they won’t make it. Good luck Bob!
Nate, do you purchase them or cut from your existing shoots?
@@rfb7117 I cut them from existing shoots to plant at the other farm. You can see how they spread once established! Check out
Sustainable Wildlife Habitats In Cambridge. www.google.com/gasearch?q=sustainable%20habitat%20solutions&tbm=&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5
Agree trees and shrubs go to screen not work time and cost for switch or annual planting. Long term trees
It’s nice the deer have some really good browse as well👍
I've had the picture this app for a while. Canadian prepper is the dude I first heard that from. Cuz I was looking to be able to find edible plants when I take my kids hiking. I should have been thinking about using this for hunting as well.
I wish I could find a place in north central Missouri to find some Red Osier Dogwoods to get some cuttings from. I bought some potted shrubs on sale for $22 each, planted and watered them all summer. The deer were eating on them constantly. I successfully planted some cuttings, but again, the deer ate them down, so I am needing to plant a LOT OF CUTTINGS to stay ahead of the deer! Caging them is too expensive.
My plan is to plant the new cuttings in my slash cuttings so the deer don't find them too quickly.
I am lucky in that I do have a lot of American Plum trees that have taken off and are spreading quickly!
Yeah that dogwood is like candy to the deer. I think having a bunch of food plots near by helps. Mine still get browsed very heavily though!
Good luck!
Switchgrass has a different purpose than the willows or ROD. Switchgrass is for screening access. The willows and ROD are for bedding cover. Deer won’t bed in switchgrass so it’s safer access. You don’t want your access going where deer are going to be.
Deer won't bed in switch grass? Where did you hear that lie. I guess all the deer we have jumped or shot out of 10-15 acre switch grass patches didn't know they weren't supposed to bed there.
Great video Nate!
That small farm surprise’s me every fall I hunt it. The bucks I see in there are unbelievable for such a small piece. The dogwood and willows really make that farm what it is for sure. I wouldn’t even need to do food plots and still would have nice bucks i think. Thanks for the feedback!
@@Natesbowhunting those honey holes with thick cover are exactly what big bucks like! Lack of intrusion too.
If you cut patches of the older declining willow during winter dormant season it may regenerate the old declining areas to thicker younger regrowth in the coming years.
Thanks I’ll have to try that!
I have 10 acres of hillside grown up like this and bucks bring does in there and cruise it hard, i grazed a big 10 there bedded all day with a doe
It definitely seems the mature bucks like pushing doe’s in these small thick patches of cover. I thought the first year I hunted it maybe it was a fluke. It now seems like a very consistent pattern at the farm! Big bucks love thickets!
Yeah I thought it was a fluke to but they do it consistently every yr, granted it's not always the biggest deer around but they all know what's up, He felt so safe he bedded right back down after I grazed him, I thought he was dead but no he just bedded back down Cause his doe never left, and he's so smart cause she got up and walked out of the edge of it and he just stood up watched her for a min and layed back down, she ate for about 10 min and rejoined him, I watched the same spot without being able to see him for 5 hrs, it was brutal, but there was a drain like structure that he layed in , and what gave him away is I seen him do it the yr before when I passed on him, but they only do it during rut and then they disappeare, but all the local bucks will scent check that hill knowing that the does will be in there
@@troybrake5686 You got a good spot there it sounds try and hold onto it! Sounds just what I experience on my farm. The biggest bucks around will check those thickets for about 3 weeks then disappear.
I’m in central Wisconsin and can’t get Red Osier dogwood, Poplar, Willows established without fencing. Deer eat it to the ground.
I have plenty of AG and good plots around so I don’t have that issue thankfully. Do you have AG around your land?
@@Natesbowhunting I have professional managed irrigated huge AG fields butted up next to me to the South. They rotate two years of corn and then one year of soybeans and then repeat. Crop dusted, etc. I plant two plus acres of brassicas on one half and a Fall forage blend next to their AG field. Having deer isn’t a problem and you are correct the biggest bucks like the thickest stuff!
@@markr.1547 Wow! You must have a very healthy deer population by you. Sounds like plenty of food around! Thanks for commenting, and good luck!
@@Natesbowhunting thanks and you too! Having too many deer has it’s challenges also! Have to fool all the other deer before you even get eyes on the big ones! They don’t get old by being stupid!
Great video! Did you plant that tilled field into willows? By seed? Maybe I missed that mentioned in the video.
@@BradSmith-hf8bz The willows were there naturally along the creek. I did some transplanting and cuttings to make them spread. Thanks for the comment!👍
do you create trails through this in order to direct the deer movement? or let them get into the cover vs just staying on the edge? Im curious to see the layout of it all. thinking about moving away from switch and trying something like this
I do create trails to bring them within bow range. This video shows trails I’ve made and results 👍ruclips.net/video/xWGBJO-HXds/видео.htmlsi=dAPDiHVMJt1I9uKS
Hello Nate first thanks for all the great content!! Quick question I’ve been trying to find a place to buy some willow trees . But all I find is the hybrid willow trees ! Have any suggestions where I could buy a few plants ? Or maybe sell me some ? 😂 I have an ideal place along a small stream on my property that has been devastated by over browsing before I acquired the property. Thanks for your time!!!!
@@paull3262 g.co/kgs/UY2d3ZF
That’s where I get my trees here in Wisconsin. If you Google search there are a few places that deliver throughout the US. Appreciate the comment and good luck!👍
Thanks but I’m in the north east Pennsylvania little far to drive to get trees from them 😂
Love the info buddy!!!
Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it!
Do you suggest getting rid of autumn olive bushes?
@@chrisgraff6874 I’d have to see the property. If it’s the only good cover around I’d leave it without question! Bucks love bedding in it and doe’s will use it as security cover. There are better things like dogwood and willows but it’s excellent deer habitat👍
What kind of willows do you suggest for northern Wisconsin? Great video
I’ve heard guys that have coyote willows in Minnesota! I would say they are a safe bet if looking to create a thicket and have some wet soil! Thanks and good luck!
Any recommendation for a substitute of the red osier dogwood for zone 8? Seems like they cant handle the fl heat, they are for zones 2-7
@@ray330 I would go with some willows if they can handle your southern climate
@natesbowhunting, how do you feel about green briar?
@@nybbhUSA I’m honestly not that familiar with it. It does get thick and spread so could be better cover than no cover at all. 👍
Any recommendation for similar browse in Texas?
I personally have not hunted in Texas. It looks like you are out of Dogwood range unfortunately. I’ve heard good woody browse down there is (yaupon, greenbrier, blackberries(rubus). Good luck🦌
Will they bed inside of it , or just on the edge ?
They most definitely bed on the inside of it. Rubs and beds throughout the patches of dogwood and willows!
@@Natesbowhunting thanks for the reply, I knew they would bed with thick to their backs so they can see in front of them . Wasn’t sure about inside of thicket .
You ever tried direct seeding seed in winter ?
I have not tried that method unfortunately.
What’s the grass on the other edge of willow?
@@aaronbuttignoli8710 I believe that’s Indian grass. It’s actually really good bedding 👍
@@Natesbowhunting yes I see it alot in Michigan. I love property’s that look like yours. I just got a house without about 8 acres of mature hardwood I’m looking to open up and mix a lot of thick diversity like you’re speaking of
@@aaronbuttignoli8710 Good luck to you on your journey! Hope u put a good one down!🦌
Great video. Much better than your doe video. I think the doe video had some good information but you went on too long about what you were going to discuss. This got right to the point!
I appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the feedback I do appreciate that!
Awesome video Nate 👍 What state are you in?
I’m located in southern Wisconsin. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Thanks for the feedback 👍
@@Natesbowhunting Oh ok I was just curious because I wanted to compare my area to yours as far as how well the planting and such might go. I'm in Midwest Michigan and I'm trying to fill in what used to be a 17 acre corn field with something for the deer, so I'm hoping to have similar results. Thanks again for the very helpful content 👍
New sub, I have dogwood, which variety of willow are you planting?
Thanks for subscribing I really appreciate the support👍Those are coyote willows shown in the video.
I’m guessing this isn’t close to Texas?
I’m located in Wisconsin
Switchgrass has very little to no food value, over rated period, I find bucks love to browse and rub and leave scent on their cover, the willows are great for your wetlands, and swampy areas.........
Agreed! Deer will bed in switchgrass don’t get me wrong. But what you said is spot on👍