Small Hunting Land Improvements

Essential improvements to your small hunting land such as providing food sources, creating pinch points, building upfront, controlling invasive species, and creating or improving water sources can make the most of your small hunting land and increase your chances of a successful hunt.

 

Provide Food

Providing food for game animals is a great way to attract them to your small hunting land and keep them there. Here are some tips for providing food for game animals:

Feeders

Feeders are a great way to provide a steady supply of food for game animals. There are many different types of feeders available, including gravity feeders, spin feeders, and trough feeders. When choosing a feeder, consider the size of your hunting land, the type of game animals you are trying to attract, and the amount of food you want to provide.

To use a feeder, fill it with a high-quality deer feed or corn, and place it in a location where game animals are likely to congregate. Make sure to keep the feeder filled throughout the hunting season to ensure a steady supply of food.

Mineral Licks

Mineral licks are another great way to attract game animals to your hunting land. Mineral licks provide essential nutrients and minerals that game animals need for growth and development, and can help improve the overall health of the animal population.

To create a mineral lick, simply clear an area of vegetation and remove any rocks or debris. Then, mix a high-quality mineral supplement with salt and spread it over the cleared area. You can also purchase pre-made mineral lick blocks or granules to place on the cleared area.

Plant Food Plots

Planting food plots is another effective way to attract game animals to your hunting land. Food plots provide a natural food source for game animals and can help improve the overall health of the animal population.

When choosing what to plant, consider the types of game animals you are trying to attract, the climate and soil conditions in your area, and the amount of sunlight your food plot will receive. Popular options for food plots include clover, chicory, alfalfa, and soybeans.

To prepare your food plot, clear the area of vegetation and remove any rocks or debris. Then, till the soil and fertilize it with a high-quality fertilizer. Plant your seeds according to the instructions on the package and water the area regularly to ensure proper growth.

Tips for Success

Here are some additional tips for providing food for game animals:

• Choose the Right Locations: When placing feeders, mineral licks, and food plots, choose locations that are easily accessible to game animals and that are likely to be frequented by them. Look for natural travel corridors, bedding areas, and watering sources.
• Be Consistent: Provide a consistent source of food throughout the hunting season to keep game animals coming back to your hunting land.
• Monitor Your Food Sources: Keep an eye on your food sources to ensure they are being used by game animals. If you notice that your food sources are not being used, consider changing their location or type.
• Be Mindful of Regulations: Make sure to check with your state’s regulations regarding feeding and planting on hunting land. Some states have restrictions on what types of food sources can be used and when they can be used.
• Consider Complementary Practices: Providing food sources for game animals can be a great way to attract them to your hunting land, but it’s important to remember that it’s just one aspect of a successful hunting strategy. Consider complementary practices such as managing habitat, practicing scent control, and scouting regularly to increase your chances of a successful hunt.
• Stay Safe: When placing feeders, mineral licks, and food plots, make sure to do so in a safe manner. Avoid placing them in areas that could be hazardous to you or others, such as near busy roads or power lines.
• Be Patient: Providing food sources for game animals takes time, and it may take several weeks or even months for animals to start using them regularly. Be patient and consistent in your efforts, and eventually, you will start to see results.
• Overall, providing food sources for game animals can be a great way to attract them to your small hunting land and keep them there. By choosing the right locations, being consistent in your efforts, and monitoring your food sources, you can help improve the health of the animal population and increase your chances of a successful hunt.

Build upfront

Building upfront is a critical step in improving small hunting lands. The reason for this is that construction work can be noisy

and disruptive, and it can easily scare away game animals. If you start building after you have established your hunting land, the noise and activity of construction can push game animals away, and it may take a long time for them to return.

One essential aspect of building upfront is to ensure that your living space and hunting space are separate. If you plan to build a cabin or other living quarters, make sure to locate them away from areas where you plan to hunt. This can help prevent human scent from disturbing game animals, increasing your chances of a successful hunt.

When it comes to building deer stands or other hunting structures, it’s essential to consider the placement carefully. Look for areas with good visibility and coverage, such as the edges of fields or near water sources. Additionally, it’s a good idea to vary your stand placement to account for different wind and weather patterns.

It’s also important to consider the materials you use for your hunting structures. Using natural materials like wood and brush can help your structures blend into the surroundings and minimize their impact on the environment.

Overall, building upfront is an essential step in improving small hunting lands. By separating your living space from your hunting space, carefully choosing the placement of hunting structures, and using natural materials, you can minimize the impact of construction and increase your chances of a successful hunt.

 

Create Pinch-points and Funnels

Pinch points and funnels are strategic locations that can help improve your hunting success by funneling game animals into a more concentrated area. Here are some tips on how to create pinch points and funnels on your small hunting land:

What are Pinch Points and Funnels?

A pinch point is a narrow or restricted area that funnels game animals into a specific location. This can be created by using natural features like terrain, vegetation, or waterways, or by manipulating the environment by clearing brush, planting trees, or creating obstacles. A funnel is a larger area that directs game animals towards a specific location, often created by combining multiple pinch points.

 

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Here are some methods for creating pinch points and funnels on your small hunting land:

• Hinge Cuts: A hinge cut is a technique where a tree is partially cut and then bent over to create a barrier or funnel for game animals. This technique can create an instant pinch point or funnel and provides cover and shelter for game animals. You can create a series of hinge cuts along a tree line or near a food plot to channel game animals into a specific area.
• Brush Clearing: Clearing brush and vegetation can create a pinch point or funnel by removing cover for game animals. This can be done with a chainsaw or brush cutter to create narrow corridors or openings in thick vegetation. You can also create a brush pile or other obstacle to direct game animals towards a specific area.
• Planting Trees: Planting trees can create a natural funnel or pinch point by creating a barrier or obstacle for game animals. This can be done by planting a row of trees along a tree line or near a food plot. You can also create a staggered pattern of trees to create a more complex funnel or pinch point.
• Creating Water Obstacles: Water can be used to create a pinch point or funnel by creating a natural barrier or obstacle for game animals. This can be done by creating a small pond or water hole near a food plot or using a stream or creek as a natural obstacle.

Tips for Success

Here are some additional tips for creating successful pinch points and funnels:

• Location is Key: The location of your pinch point or funnel is critical to its success. Look for natural features like terrain, vegetation, or waterways to help create your pinch point or funnel. Also, consider the location of food plots or other attractants to ensure that game animals will be funneled towards your hunting location.
• Variety is Important: Creating a variety of pinch points and funnels can help increase your hunting success. This can include using a combination of natural and artificial obstacles, as well as different types of vegetation or terrain.
• Be Patient: It may take some time for game animals to adjust to your new pinch points and funnels. Be patient and observe their behavior to determine if any adjustments need to be made.

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Improve or Create Water Sources

Water is a vital resource for wildlife, and providing it on your hunting land can be a great way to attract and sustain a variety of animals. One option is to install a small pond, which can be dug out and lined with a water-resistant material to hold water. The size of the pond will depend on the available space and the intended use, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for a depth of at least 4-5 feet to prevent it from drying out too quickly.

Another option is to create a natural water source by diverting a nearby stream or creek. This can be done by strategically placing rocks or logs to redirect the flow of water, creating a small pool or even a series of pools that can be used by wildlife. It’s important to keep in mind that altering natural water sources can require permits or permissions, so be sure to check with local authorities before making any changes.

In addition to attracting wildlife, water sources can also provide a valuable source of irrigation for food plots or other vegetation on your hunting land. By strategically locating water sources near these areas, you can help ensure they receive the necessary moisture to thrive.

When creating water sources on hunting land, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Depending on the size and location of the water source, it may be necessary to take measures to prevent accidental drowning, such as installing fencing or safety barriers. It’s also important to regularly monitor and maintain the water source to ensure it remains clean and free of debris.

Overall, creating water sources on your hunting land can be a great way to attract and sustain wildlife while also providing benefits for vegetation and irrigation. By carefully considering the location and size of the water source and taking necessary safety precautions, you can help create a thriving ecosystem on your hunting land.

 

 

Control Invasive Species

Controlling invasive species on hunting land is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive ecosystem that can attract and sustain game animals. Invasive species can often outcompete native plants for resources, resulting in a decline in plant diversity, which in turn can negatively impact the food sources available to game animals.

Some invasive species can even directly harm food plots and crops. For example, Japanese honeysuckle is known to choke out native plants, and its dense growth can make it difficult for deer to access food plots. Similarly, multiflora rose has thorny branches that can make it difficult for animals to move around and can also damage equipment.

In addition, certain invasive animal species can scare away game animals. Wild boars, for example, can be destructive to crops, disturb the soil, and make it difficult for deer and other game animals to move through the area.

To control invasive species, start by identifying and removing any invasive plants and animals present on your hunting land. This may require manual removal or the use of herbicides or other treatments. For example, if Japanese honeysuckle is present, it can be controlled with a herbicide application. Similarly, wild boars can be trapped and removed from the area.

It’s important to keep in mind that controlling invasive species is an ongoing process, as new species may continue to invade the area over time. By staying vigilant and taking action to control invasive species, you can help create a more diverse and attractive habitat for game animals on your hunting land.