Blue Collar Farm Project June Update

Well, here's the latest. In May I was able to get in and do a bunch of cutting (see BCO on YouTube Episode Three). It was a great day, other than being bluff charged by a sow with cubs lol. I was really able to grasp what was going on deer movement wise. There's a very defined moment following the creek, and two major crossing points on that creek. I was also able to find the major bedding area on

the property (see image 1). It's almost in an ideal location, and was actually set up well and didn't need any cutting. I'm still very certain that the majority of the deer are bedding off property, and this is also ideal. I was able to get two staging

area's ready, to help direct the deer movement past our stands and improve the browse. I also hung a camera on one of the new spots.

David and I were able to have a work day in early June. There we sprayed both the patch of burrs and access and exit trails in (see image 2). We checked the camera and found one antlered deer frequenting the area, and saw a buck just off the new alfalfa in the sw corner of the property. We also cut shooting lanes and prepped some trees. Unfortunately we didn't get any video or pictures of the stand sets as there was rain in the forecast and I didn't want to risk

getting the camera gear wet. We've settled on four sets, three keying on pinch points and staging area's along the creek, and one field set in the sw alfalfa field (see image 3). The trail leading to that field from last fall is amazing, and there's a great fence crossing within easy bow range.

We're going back in July to hang stands and I will video that and explain why we're hanging where we are. We also have planned some strategic planting for next spring. The east alfalfa field actually is mostly grass with small pockets of alfalfa and clover. We can vastly improve the productivity of the hay land for the owner and provide better browse/forage for wildlife. I'll touch on this during the winter.

One thing I've learned over the years of doing this is that a chainsaw is the strategic deer hunters best friend. I'd say 80% of the work I've done on this place so far has been chainsaw work. Something to ponder for all those who say this type of hunting and land management is only for the rich. We're well under our year one budget of $600.00, and will probably stay under even with stand purchases. We're also right on point with time allotment, we will have worked three days after setting the stands.

So watch for an update in July some time. I'm sure we'll have some good scouting camera pictures to share.