In years past we have always planted every available inch of open space. I’ve been reading articles about feathering the edges of plots to increase daytime activity. Now we are on timber company property so there is only so much we can do but I’ve been thinking about trying it on our larger plots.

So here is my question, how much space between the wood line and the plot should be considered “soft”? I’m thinking about 4 rows of corn left standing. Would this accomplish what I’m looking for?

Would careful bush hogging around the 3-4 year old pines surrounding the plot accomplish the same thing?

It seems the more I sit in a stand the more ideas I come up with for the following year.