By April C. Doughty
A property that consistently attracts deer doesn’t come together overnight, and it should ideally be appealing to deer all year, not just during hunting season. While hunters are already spending time in the woods this season, there are steps they can take now to make their land more inviting to deer, along with lasting improvements they make over time to create better habitat year-round. From providing reliable food and water sources to improving cover and travel corridors, successful property management involves looking at the land as a whole.
One of the easiest ways to begin improving a property is to identify the resources already available. Trail cameras can help reveal where deer are traveling, what they’re eating and when they’re most active. Looking for natural food sources, established trails, bedding cover and nearby water can help landowners determine areas worth improving.
Existing vegetation can be just as valuable as planted food plots and can be selectively preserved and multiplied. Deer browse on tender shoots, leaves, vines and woody vegetation, making areas with diverse understory growth important sources of natural forage. Allowing suitable vegetation to grow plentifully in selected areas can provide the food and cover deer need to feel safe on a property.
Even in more open, transitional areas, allowing grass and weeds to grow a little taller can create a sense of security for deer while allowing for natural travel between feeding and bedding areas. Maintaining these transitional areas can make a property more inviting without requiring extensive construction or planting.
Local hunter Brad Doughty jointly manages a family owned property as well as leased property and recommends opening paths through suitable areas to make travel easier for deer. He said, “Does tend to follow the easiest routes, and bucks will follow the does during the rut.” Creating or maintaining these pathways can help connect different parts of a property while encouraging more predictable deer movement.
Ideally opening up paths for deer should be done before season, but conservative changes can be made without the disturbance of power tools or bush hogs. Doughty often makes paths a little easier for deer to use with a machete or loppers, subtly encouraging the deer to take the path of least resistance.
Water deserves particular attention during extended dry periods like the one we’ve been experiencing. With less than 2 inches of rainfall per month in August and September followed by less than 1 inch in October in Lincoln Parish, deer are looking for water. Although north Louisiana usually has substantial rainfall throughout the year, this long stretch without much precipitation has caused smaller ponds and creeks that wildlife use to dry up.
A strategically placed and well maintained water trough can provide much needed and reliable relief for deer seeking hydration. Keep in mind that deer should be able to approach and drink without encountering any obstacles.
Location matters, too. A water source surrounded by suitable cover may be more attractive than one positioned in a completely exposed area. On smaller properties, placing water where deer can access it without crossing heavily traveled areas may encourage more consistent use.
Doughty also recommends paying attention to predator populations. Coyotes and bobcats are natural parts of the ecosystem, but landowners may consider lawful, responsible predator management when appropriate. Management of feral hogs may also be needed, given that this invasive species reproduces quickly, competes with deer for food and has the potential to displace deer from an area. Management of this kind can often take place during hunting season without significantly disrupting the existing deer on a property.
Another consideration during late season is the use of mineral sites. Doughty notes that mineral supplements have traditionally been used to help bucks replenish nutrients following the rut and support does through pregnancy. However, with the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), regulations may change to restrict mineral sites and other supplemental attractants in certain areas. Landowners should always check current Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations before establishing mineral sites or placing supplemental attractants.
Food plots are among the most recognizable habitat improvements, but choosing what to plant and when is important. Different plants provide forage at different times of the year, and a property with a variety of food sources throughout the year can offer deer more consistent nutrition than one that depends on a single seasonal planting. The goal is to create a property that both attracts and keeps deer all year.
Fall and winter plantings typically include cool-season varieties such as wheat, oats and cereal rye. Doughty recommends checking the ideal planting schedule for each but added that he has planted rye into November with success. These varieties can establish relatively quickly if planted before rainfall and provide tender green forage. Clover and brassicas, including turnips and radishes, can also be incorporated into cool-season plots.
Spring and summer offer opportunities to establish warm-season forage. Cowpeas and soybeans produce leafy vegetation that deer readily browse. These plants generally require warmer soil temperatures and adequate moisture to establish successfully.
Perennial options such as white clover and chicory can remain productive for multiple seasons when properly established and maintained. Rather than replanting every plot annually, property owners can dedicate portions of their land to longer-lasting forage.
Food plots don’t necessarily have to occupy open fields, either. Doughty suggests planting smaller plots inside pine thickets or within second-year growth in cutover areas. These locations can provide deer with food while keeping them close to protective cover.
Planting fruit- and mast-producing trees offers another long-term food source. Oaks produce acorns, while persimmon trees and other suitable fruit-bearing species provide additional seasonal forage. Some faster-growing oak varieties can begin producing acorns earlier than traditional oak plantings, offering another option for landowners interested in establishing a future mast crop. Native shrubs and other browse-producing vegetation can further diversify available forage.
A little planning can help ensure that all food sources don’t mature or become available at the same time. Combining cool-season plots, warm-season forage, perennial plants and native vegetation creates a more varied food supply throughout the year.
Before planting, property owners should consider soil conditions, available sunlight and drainage. A soil test through the LSU AgCenter can help determine whether lime or fertilizer is needed. Selecting plants suited to the property’s soil and growing conditions will generally produce better results than simply choosing whatever seed is being marketed for deer season.
Some of the most valuable habitat improvements require more preparation but can significantly influence how deer use a property over the long term.
Timber management, for example, can have a substantial effect on wildlife habitat. In heavily wooded areas, dense tree canopies may limit sunlight reaching the forest floor, leaving little understory vegetation for deer to browse. Selective thinning can allow more sunlight through, encouraging native plants and creating additional food and cover.
Prescribed burning can also stimulate new growth, improve plant diversity and maintain more open conditions in suitable pine and mixed-woodland habitats. Because burning requires careful planning and isn’t appropriate for every property or stand of timber, landowners should consult a qualified professional forester or wildlife biologist before undertaking it.
Maintaining a mixture of open areas, wooded cover, natural browse and transitional habitat is important. Deer benefit from properties that offer different resources within a relatively accessible area. Creating travel corridors between feeding and bedding areas can connect those resources while allowing deer to move through the property with some degree of security.
Long-term improvements also include planting trees and establishing perennial vegetation. Newly planted trees won’t produce mast immediately, and perennial food plots may require time and maintenance before reaching their full potential. However, consistent attention to vegetation, soil health, water availability and cover can gradually make a property more productive.
Not every landowner has the acreage or budget to implement every improvement. Fortunately, creating better deer habitat doesn’t require transforming an entire property at once. Maintaining a small water source, planting a few fruit trees, improving an existing food plot or allowing a section of native vegetation to grow can all be worthwhile starting points.
