[Skervix]

I have roughly 40 acres in Pike Co, MS that I hunt on. Just bought it 2 yrs ago. I'm starting to realize that I'm not experienced enough, deer hunting-wise to fully develop it for hunting as much as I'd like. I had limited experience in woods growing up. I want to figure out where the bedding areas, and best places to put feeders, etc. I've had a little success hunting it, but I know I can improve it. I know its not a large area.

 

[deerhunt1988]

MDWFP offers free site visits for private landowners. They will send a biologist out who can evaluate your situation and give recommendations. It will be more habitat management based. Link below to request a site visit if you are interested:

MDWFP - Private Lands Program

 

[DoyleAlley]

The lands surrounding you need to be examined as much as your own land. For example, if they are primarily prime bedding areas then I'd be more apt to turn my land into prime feeding area. Or, if they are full of food sources but little bedding area, then I'd be apt to create a heavy bedding area right in the middle of my land. The idea being that I don't want to compete with the surrounding lands but rather give the deer something that those don't have.

 

[Skervix]

MDWFP offers free site visits for private landowners. They will send a biologist out who can evaluate your situation and give recommendations. It will be more habitat management based. Link below to request a site visit if you are interested:



MDWFP - Private Lands Program

Thank you very much.

 

[Skervix]

The lands surrounding you need to be examined as much as your own land. For example, if they are primarily prime bedding areas then I'd be more apt to turn my land into prime feeding area. Or, if they are full of food sources but little bedding area, then I'd be apt to create a heavy bedding area right in the middle of my land. The idea being that I don't want to compete with the surrounding lands but rather give the deer something that those don't have.

Thank you very much.

 

[rt8]

So tell us what you've got and what your neighbors' places look like. We love a good game of What if around here.

 

[buckedup]

I was in a similar situation two years ago in walthall county, bought the new home stead and have been working to figure it out. As others have mentioned, its important to know what is around you as well, as 40 acres will not keep a deer. Where are you at in Pike county? A few sessions with google earth can tell you a lot about the surrounding lands....

 

[Skervix]

Good ideas. I'm looking at Google Earth now. I hear gunshots from time to time so I know they are out there. I see them on my cameras. I'm going to do a further exploration after this season with a few cameras i just got. And see what I can figure out. I'm going ttoput some more stands strategically placed for the different winds we get. I'm lucky to have a nice creek and mixed hardwood pines.

 

[W]

If possible, make a 5 acre plot in the middle of your property oriented to take advantage of prevailing winds. Don’t overhunt the property and avoid going into most of it during deer season. Deer need feed and sanctuary.

 

[canebrake]

YouTube has lots of videos on developing small tracks of land. Just do a search on developing hunting land.