Deer Management from Differing Angles  Deer management is a passion for Steve. By Steve Bartylla As the deer began entering the isolated food plot, I was thrilled how things were shaping up. Despite having set the stand less than 2 hours before, the early arrivals showed no signs of being on edge. As I’d hoped, each made a beeline for the new [caption id="attachment_844" align="alignright" width="244"] Deer management[/caption] scrape tree…

Deer clover plots Deer clover plots should be a staple if you want a full time deer herd.   Many hunters, especially in the northern most part of the states do not realize the value of Deer clover plots because they are thinking in terms of huntability. In northern Minnesota or Michigan, your clover becomes much less attractive to the local deer herd after a couple of frosts, and the Deer…

Best Ohio food plots for deer Best Ohio food plots for deer you ask?  It's a pretty general question, and is best answered by answering some when, where and why questions about the specific ground you are hunting.  Even in my home state of Ohio, the answer will vary from north to south, and September to December.   The best Ohio food plots for deer revolves around filling a need…

Shooting the Right Bucks when managing deer genetics For as much as letting bucks walk until they mature is covered, a key component in the equation for growing giants is missing. When managing deer genetics, many bucks should never be allowed to get old. When they are, the results can be very negative. A prime example is a 1500 acre chunk owned by a group of hunters in my home state…

Food plots vs clear cuts Food plots vs clear cuts is a question many ask.  Clear cuts are easy and provide income.  Food plots are time intensive and much more expensive.  You have to look at your big picture goals to figure where each will fit into your management equation. Food plots vs clear cuts for hunting Food plots vs clear cuts depend on which part of the habitat equation…

Doe Management - a Fresh View Doe management is a crucial, often misunderstood aspect of deer management. By Steve Bartylla   Sitting in a tripod in the middle of the 6’ high CRP field, the adult doe and her fawns seemingly materialize 40 yards in front of me. It was the opening day of Illinois’ first firearm season. So, I wasn’t thrilled to be taking out a doe. However, working…

When to shoot does while managing land for deer Since we’re talking about managing land for deer, we may as well touch on when to shoot does. By now, everyone knows shooting does is critical. After all, if the buck:doe ration isn’t tight, the bucks kill themselves breeding all the does, there’s no food, mature does are left unbred and the world as we know ends. I have to cry BS…

Managing Land for Deer/Getting Max Results Managing land for deer can means different things to different people, and it all starts with goal setting. By Steve Bartylla   [caption id="attachment_989" align="alignleft" width="300"] Managing land for deer yields big sometimes[/caption] If there was ever a situation that put a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, this was it. Using a combination of Primos’s Buck Roar and GREAT…

Clover in food plots Clover in food plots should be a staple if you want a full time deer herd.   Many hunters, especially in the northern most part of the states do not realize the value of Clover in food plots because they are thinking in terms of huntability. In northern Minnesota or Michigan, your clover becomes much less attractive to the local deer herd after a couple of…

How many corn food plots for deer should I plant? How many corn food plots for deer should I plant is a great question.  How many corn food plots for deer you go with is a function of deer density, your property size, and your property goals.  Corn and soybeans, along with brassicas and cereal grains help pull your deer through the toughest part of the year.  Native browse, vegetation,…