A Conversation about habitat with Jim Ward. Part 8: The importance of cover over food plots.
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- Опубліковано 27 лис 2024
- This is the 8th in a series of videos comprising a discussion between Jim Brauker and Jim Ward while walking Jim Ward's 137 acre south central Indiana whitetail property. We will be releasing these videos in sequence during 2022-24. We were joined on this day by a young habitat consultant named Colin Koskinen.
This video continues the series with a discussion about the importance of cover and browse. So many books, magazines, and consultants focus on food plots as a central theme in deer property management but they are NOT the most important thing. In order to have an optimal deer hunting property, cover and the associated browse are the most important thing. Food plots are useful but not necessary. Cover is absolutely necessary to good habitat. But food p[lots are useful for attracting deer and so we go on to discuss how to properly design food plots for maximal daytime use.
Jim Brauker is the author of the book "Extreme Deer Habitat" and the web and UA-cam sites of the same name. Jim focuses on education of hunters to improve their habitat on their hunting property. extremedeerhabitat.com.
Jim Ward is an expert trophy buck hunter and one of the leading deer habitat specialists in the country. Jim has spent many years traveling around the country and helping people develop their deer habitat plans and properties. Jim is no longer taking on clients but instead is focusing on his own property, the properties of his long term clients, and spending more time educating landowners. jimwardwhitetailacademy.com
Colin Koskinen was behind the camera for these videos and is the owner of a whitetail habitat consulting company called Legendary Habitat. He has worked in the field with both Jim Brauker and Jim Ward and they both recommend him for your habitat plans. www.legendaryhabitat.com
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I would love to grab a beer with these guys and talk deer habitat.
Great video. Keep up the great work.
Some good points and interesting approach. Cover is great to have. You can't beat certain foods like early soybeans for draw and nutrition. I primarily hunt a big woods area that has had TSI and I also have food plots. We have mild winters and what I feel like plenty of browse. We don't get antler growth like the areas with ag fields. Also getting into the woods can be a challenge over the course of the hunting season without creating too much pressure on the deer.
Great information as always. Wish. I could hang out with you guys a couple days.
Hey good luck with your channel guys
It’s pronounced Aroostick if you’re ever lucky enough to hunt the “county”. You don’t want the locals to know you are “from away”. Not a lot of deer per mile, but some big bucks if find them. I once saw a 298 lb buck at a tagging station!
Good video with a lot of great insight. I have a slightly contrarian view on food plots, but every property is different, and it depends greatly on the specific property and the surrounding area. I've had some pretty nice bucks hit the dirt either directly in or very near food plots. To me the key is to keep the doe groups comfortable, and then limit your hunting presence until daytime activity is at its peak.
I couldn't of said it better myself.....no does shot until December and I won't hunt prior to sweetest day roughly....90 percent of our bucks killed is at the demise of a doe.....best buck attractant ever.
Interesting stuff. I have a 5 acre apple orchard in my backyard. Big bucks there all night.What would you guys do to improve daylight use?
Screen off that apple orchard on at least three sides. Then create good security cover within close proximity.
Better yet....... put a leash on the deer.......show them around........explain to the deer how and where they should lay !
Theres thousands of acres of CRP acres......and we have these guys talking about deer habitat ???? Spend how many dollars on something thats not needed ? I thing anyone whom thinks like these guys need mental help !