Summer Habitat Improvements for Whitetails

But hunting properties are anything but equal, so I tried to think of multiple solutions for a variety of hunters, hunting styles, and properties. To do so, I spoke with Dr. Bronson Strickland of MSU’s Deer Lab at Mississippi State University about science-backed practices for habitat improvements. Dr. Strickland also cofounded and is the lead wildlife Biologist for Wildlife Investments, which specializes in private consultation specifically for wildlife population and habitat management. Here are a few practices he highlighted during our conversation.

For both large and small properties, Dr. Strickland emphasized Forest and Timber Stand Improvement (FSI) as an excellent option for whitetail habitat management.

“If you want to create more travel corridors, bedding, and forage for deer, you want to practice FSI,” Dr. Strickland said. “If you want to prioritize a certain tree, like white oaks, for instance, you can remove competing trees in the area. This will get some sunlight on the forest floor, which is critical for creating that early successional growth that provides bedding and food.”

Dr. Strickland noted that you won’t see results right away, but after a year or two, those areas will produce bedding/travel cover and natural browse for deer.

On larger properties, especially leased land, timber companies will be working from a Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) standpoint. The difference between TSI and FSI is monetary. TSI prioritizes removing timber for financial benefit, while habitat management is the driving force behind FSI. But that’s not to suggest that TSI doesn’t provide habitat improvements as well. This is how the majority of leased properties operate, so hunting clubs and camps revolve around TSI practices.

Even for larger, private lands, TSI can be a great way to harvest timber while prioritizing habitat management for whitetails.

“Summer is a great time for clear-cutting or thinning stands of timber,” Dr. Strickland said. “Just make sure you’re also working with a licensed forester, so you can tell them your habitat and wildlife management goals. Otherwise, you could be left with a mess.”

For a lot of hunters, large-scale habitat improvements might not be possible. However, there are still plenty of options if you put in the time and effort.

As a wildlife biologist and experienced deer hunter, Dr. Strickland approaches his science-backed habitat management practices through both of those lenses. He not only gathers data from his research, but also interprets that data’s significance for hunters. One of these practices includes improving access or existing roads on a property.

“This is a great time of year to improve roads on the periphery of the property,” he said. “You have to slip in and out undetected, so I want to keep roads open on a two-year burn interval.”

If you’re working with a smaller property, you can check your local conditions and regulations to burn around these areas. Alternatively, you can contact your state’s forestry commission to plan a prescribed burn.

Dr. Strickland encourages the two-year burn rotation on roads/walking paths to discourage bedding in those access points. But that practice has a twofold benefit. By maintaining those access points and paths on a two-year burn rotation, you also create brooding areas for turkeys, he said.

Along with creating ideal access, hunters on smaller properties can implement a few practices every year to improve the habitat. You don’t have to (and won’t) change the property overnight, so doing a few chores every year can have a greater effect in the long run.

“Small-scale fires or a few cuts every year really add up,” Dr. Strickland said. “A few chainsaws and drip torches go a long way. Or, maybe you plant a food plot this year and then two the next by introducing a summer plot, you can have some really nice small food plots by doing these things.”

Planting food plots seems like an obvious answer, but there’s more to it than just tilling the dirt and spreading seed. Regarding food plots, Dr. Strickland emphasized that getting a soil sample could benefit your food plots the most.

“It’s [sampling] so much better to do it right now,” he said. “It’s critical because most places will have low pH levels. If the pH in your soil is low, meaning it’s acidic, get an application of agricultural lime to neutralize it.”

Dr. Strickland specifically noted agricultural lime in the amount of one to two tons per acre, as opposed to other large pellet offerings. These large pellets typically have a diluted concentration of lime due to the dust that’s used to bind the pellets, so you’re actually getting less in these options.

“Ag lime will give you years of neutralization,” he said. “You’ll see real dividends when you go from an acidic to neutral soil, and it’s the best return on your money.”

Those “dividends” will surface in healthier, more robust food plots, especially if you’ve struggled to see a ton of growth.

He also emphasized that summer is the best time to lime your food plots so they’ll have ample time to neutralize before you actually plant them in the fall. Otherwise, if you wait until September, you won’t reap the benefits like you would if you start in May or June.

Another way to increase habitat and browse for deer is to increase the number or size of food plots on your property. One way to do this on private land is to introduce summer food plots, but with a caveat.

“Summer food plots are great,” Dr. Strickland said, “but I don’t recommend them unless you use them with an herbicide.”

Because of the growing season, Dr. Strickland said that summer food plots can suffer from weed competition and never really emerge.

He recommended using a pre-emergent herbicide when planting. This type of herbicide will keep weed seeds from germinating. Setting that weed pressure back a month or two can give your forage crop a chance to grow, which makes a huge difference, he said.

You can also increase the size of your current food plots if you’re looking for more summer habitat improvements. The size and expansion will be relative to your current situation, but increasing forage on any property, regardless of size, will prove beneficial.

While this isn’t feasible for most hunters, Dr. Strickland noted that three to five acres is the sweet spot. He recommends this size because research has shown that deer spend significantly more time on a four- to five-acre food plot. However, beyond five acres, you should expect diminishing returns, He said.

“If I had the means to do 10 acres of food plots, I would break those up into three different food plots,” he said.

My takeaway from our conversation tells me there’s always work to be done. Whether you’re harvesting large blocks of timber or burning half an acre, any habitat improvement is better than none.