I have 34 acres of thick woods/wetlands in Geneva county, Al. I am wanting to clear around 3-5 acres in the southern middle part of the property. My main motivation is wanting to bring my young son with me next season and to have a larger area to us to view deer through a shooting house overlooking the opening. I would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions about designing an opening like this. Thanks!

If it is thick don’t clear it.If you want to shoot bucks push 2 or 3 30’ wide lanes in a v as long as u are comfy shooting. if you want to just see deer make a typical 2-3 acre food plot.

As I understand it, Geneva county doesn’t have high deer numbers. I’d make as big a plot as you think you can manage and afford to plant and attract every deer in the county.

If only it worked that way…….Deer are not really nomadic though…..Generally speaking, doe herds have to be grown from the current doe groups that exist on a property…….I think it’s a big misconception when people talk about drawing all of the deer around them onto their land, etc……There’s a few variables that just don’t allow it to work out quite like that…..For one, social structure usually doesn’t allow it as doe groups don’t like to be piled in on each other. If there are other resources available, they’ll spread out. I bet the low deer population in that area is not because of lack of food though but rather its because of fragmented patches of fawning habitat combined with a vibrant coyote population……Predator control may be more important than a big food plot……I’d still make the big food plot too though!

I'd make the lanes wider, at least 75'

I get what you’re saying, and I probably phrased it wrong, but it’s one thing to have deer and it’s another to actually see them. Big food plots allow you to see some.

I’ve owned this property for a year. I’ve been running cameras the entire time and hunted it this past season after scouting some trails/clearing some bow hunting lanes with my chainsaw. It appears there are a few doe groups that my property is in their home range as I saw them throughout the year. I saw 3-4 different, young bucks in the late summer and into bow season. In the rut, I saw around 10 different bucks (mostly on camera), only a 2 that may have been 4+ yrs old. So, I really want to focus on keeping the doe groups happy so the bucks will continue to show up during rut. The property has what seems to be plenty of cover as it is extremely thick and water as there are 2 year round creeks.

I think having a combo approach of maybe a 2-3 acre open area with some shooting lanes projecting out from it may help me to give more food for the does and create a place put a shooting house to take my young son with me.

CNC I have got 3-4 pics of coyotes and 2 pics of bobcats this past year. I have never trapped, but maybe I should consider it. The raccoon population could definitely use some thinning out there 😂

Concentrate on the does and the bucks will follow. I wouldn't hunt it that often to keep the pressure down. Congrats on the new purchase. I live in the area if you ever need any help dragging one out

If you got a sanctuary don't be tramping it down. So, as I hear Wildbill say. Seriously, clearing off sounds good, but what if there is good food already on the property I would consider not clearing. Get with a state wildlife biologist for a complete picture of what to do. A plot in the wrong spot could do more harm than good.

Constant supply of good food. Aka feeder. You will not keep deer on 30acres. Plant as much as you can(3-4acres) of something that might hold up to the pressure and keep a feeder full. They wont stay there but they wont go far and will visit very regularly. Think hard about how you will get in and out and where your wind is going while youre there. Build a shooting house as air tight as you can get it. Shoot to kill. You can hunt small pieces of property but you cant hunt it like a 2000acre lease. Good luck. Hope it turns out just like what you have in your head.

I would get a Dozier or skid steer/ mulcher set up and clear a small food plot. Feed heavy and plant some good stuff, should keep the does around.

Yep