Transforming Deer Habitat and Hunting Properties One Parcel at a Time
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2024
- StrategicHabitat.com - Habitat Plans and Hunting Setups
Randy VanderVeen - 616-560-7488 - randy@strategichabitat.com
HabitatSolutions360.com - Habitat Plans and Hunting Setups
Jake Ehlinger - 517-937-2118 - jake@habitatsolutions360.com
There’s a way to attract and hold nice bucks on most hunting properties well into the hunting season by creating and improving several different types of habitat features. But better habitat alone is not the only solution. Especially in areas of high hunting pressure. These properties need to be setup in a way that allows mature bucks to live and move around during daylight hours without feeling the pressure of the landowners who hunt it. Jake and I both have had the privilege of making a career change into doing something we barely consider work…..helping hundreds of landowners transform their hunting property into a place where they and their family can experience a much higher level of success when it comes to seeing and shooting more mature bucks. We both have our own full-time habitat consulting businesses. Jake started Habitat Solutions 360 about 22 years ago. He was one of the first guys out there to really take deer habitat improvement to a higher level, first on his own property starting in 1981 when there was no internet and very few articles written on the subject. Mine is called Strategic Habitat which I started 9 years ago. For both of us, it’s what we do fulltime. We don’t have any sponsors for any hunting industry products on the side. We only recommend products we use, or is one of the best in its category. Our growth depends on the success of our clients and their word of mouth. Between the two of us we visit about 150 properties a year across 20 different states. Our visits involve scouting the property with a landowner to create a detailed habitat plan and hunting strategy. Some of the landowners have us come back to help them execute parts of the plan such as hinge cutting to create bedding areas, transition zones, travel corridors, and pinch point funnels. Some landowners have us come back several years in a row. This gives us the ability to follow up and see firsthand how deer adapt to different types of habitat around the country. In the last few years, Jake and I have had the opportunity of working together on hunting properties in different states. Usually it’s a case where the landowner already has a habitat plan, but doesn’t have the time or the ability to execute the plan. A common theme we’ve noticed over the years for various reasons is not all landowners actually start the process of cutting the recommended trees according to the plan. On some properties we visit, the landowner had someone else come in to hinge cut trees for them. Unfortunately what we find is either not enough trees were cut in right locations, or they were cut too high or too low for the situation, or the detail work wasn’t completed after the trees were cut. Successful hinge cutting is not just laying trees horizontally. There are several factors that go into creating hinge cut areas which deer will actually use consistently year after year. This is where Jake and I separate ourselves from many in the habitat industry. As a matter of fact, we have found that some our clients who have worked with us in the woods for a day or two to learn the art of successful hinge cutting, go on to do great work on their own properties, and follow up with stories and pictures of successful hunts which is very gratifying. Whether it’s working together in Pike Co Illinois, or West Va, or in the high pressure state of MI, after 2-3 days of hinge cutting together, we both feel very excited for the landowner because we know the detail work we do will translate into mature buck sightings and shot opportunities in the very spots we created which will lead them passed multiple stand sites. For some hunting properties, this service of Jake and I working together may not be a good fit, due to the property layout or habitat type which can limit our ability to fully benefit the landowner. We review each property online before committing to that landowner. Due to the number of landowners we travel to and visit on our own, our schedules limit the number of properties on which we can work together. We are already booking landowners into 2023 so if this is something you’re considering for your property, both of our contact information is in the description box below. Good hunting and good habitat.
As a Michigan hunter, I enjoy you both greatly and am proud you are from here.
Really like you guys and the info you put out. Another "Habitat" guy seems to be taking the industry by storm. He has his own seeds now, sponsors and a huge following and i have learned alot from him, but, I've been following you guys too and for just as long and I like your way of instruction and detail better. You two seem to be very humble guys who truly enjoy helping fellow hunters make their property more deer friendly.
"Cough, cough" Jeff Sturgis?
Just started watching this channel, but have been watching the other for awhile. I like both and will watch both, but I do seem to understand your pictures and plans better and the way you explain. Both great channels. Thanks for the content
Huge following usually means information people can use or relate to !! Is Jeff's info bad or wrong?
I Have personally had both Jake and Randy to my property in SW Michigan. Each at separate times. Both are extremely knowledgeable and are excellent teachers. Would HIGHLY recommend either of them!! Our property has greatly improved over the past 3 years due to their advice.
Thank you for taking the time to give what I consider to be an honest recomendation of both. My family owns 183 acrest of land in Alabama. The land has not been managed for deer in the past 51 years, but next year my brother and I will begin a management program for trophy bucks. Good hunting.
As a long time DIYer in habitat I enjoy watching you and Jakes videos picking up as many tidbits as possible from each one. I have learned a lot from watching videos and thru trial and error through out the years. It seems like there is always something new to learn or try. Habitat has become almost more enjoyable than the hunting. Would love to walk a property with you and or Jake sometime just to observe. Keep putting out the videos
I enjoy following your work and postings. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome information living the dream
Can you give more on the detailed work done after hinge cutting?
My biggest problem on the lease I hunt is we can't cut any pine trees on it due to it being a timber lease. And most of the property is pines. We have hard woods on the edges and some spot areas inside the pines but that's it.
Quick Tip: if you live in a high pressure area. Drive your ATV everyday Dawn and Dusk. Firing your rifle every 10 mins. It’s a guarantee unwanted hunters will leave and not come back.
Then within 1-2 years you will have a beautiful area filled with all the deer just for you 😉
Did you ever do a second video on scent control- especially boots?
Do you do any basic planning using maps, deer trails, current topography and land owners incite without actually going to the land?
what do you recommend on cedar trees? thick clusters of cedars.
I would like to learn more about the detail work
Ever tried this in Maine
What is the minimum acreage for a habitat? I own 45 acres and about 35-40 of it is dedicated to habitat. The property is long with heavy woods and climbs upward.
I'm in SW Georgia, long-leaf pine woods (quail woods) mixed with live oak flats and Cyprus swamps. Surrounded by land of the same makeup and topography. Is hinge cutting effective when you already have endless thickets and bedding areas on a property?
Not in most cases
I hear good and bad things that come with hinge cutting.
Do you think that hinge cutting should be implemented on every property? Why or why not?
Not every property. Too many reasons to list here.
Yes everyone has big bucks like that that and no stay on your property, so no other one hunts them
Why are your hinge cuts so high up?
Do you know about hunting in the mid Carolina’s?
The large fields seen at 0:31 seconds in the videos surrounded by clover. what is planted in those? Native warm season grasses? Old field management where it was just let go?
Yes...warm season grasses
I’m in mid Michigan, have 140 acres. I would like to do a hinge cut class and would like your contact information to have you come walk my property and help my father in law and I put with how we should set this up.
I click on your link to schedule an appointment and there is nothing available. Will there be any openings soon?
My 2023 calendar is about full
Thought this was a tips video.
It is. Tip #1 - contact either of these men for more tips
You and Jake dropped videos same time I wish I would have hired you over the guy I did. Spent 6 hrs in restaurants 2 hr on property.
Well hire them this year and you won’t make the same mistake twice.
@@legendaryhabitatllc7649 lol.
@@legendaryhabitatllc7649 you plant money trees i am 37 and have 2 kids in daycare
Who did you hire
@@dylanthrall5657 popular guy
Hi, I noticed in the video you went as far as Arkansas and Oklahoma. I have a property in Eastland Co, Texas that needs habitat improvement done. Do you service Texas or have anybody you would refer who does?
Personal. Hinging
trees is not something I can do being a tree farmer. 👀
Where is Strategic Habitat Based? I have seen you on facebook and haven't had the chance to reach out.
Grand Rapids MI
@@RandyVanderVeen is MI where the other one is as well?
Would you be willing to come to NC?
Possibly. Send me an email to the address under the video
67 ac ain’t small!
Do you have a website and a price for your consulting service? I am located in Kentucky.
Its in the description
Sorry but your title is misleading. I thought I was going to get some tips on habitat improvement and all I got was a commercial for your business. Most people can't afford to hire guys like you therefore we look for tips on how to improve our land on our own.