Eastern NC 35

[Corbin.clay]

Hey guys, I am a high school science teacher (biology, Marine Bio, and NC Wildlife) and my dad and I bought 35 acres last spring in southeeastern NC. The land is approximately 150 yds wide and 100 yds long running east and west with a road down the center. The center road is my only starting access, but we are transitioning to a north and south border access to limit pressure.

There are 2 small creeks runing N/S that divide the farm into 1/3rds, and we call the first section the front. This picture shows what it looks like after being logged approximately 5 years ago.


Here is the old logging deck that has about 2 ft of mulch covering it. We are currently moving some mulch to the road and trying to plant this area as best as possible


The middle section looks much thicker and has more tree growth, mostly pine and sweetgums


There is one section about a 1/2 acre of mature trees where I hunted the first fall, simply due to being the only area I could see more than 15 ft.

 

[Corbin.clay]

We put the cart before the horse this winter and did some work without doing the proper planning. Over the winter we have a forest mulcher come in to clear the already established road down the center of the property and cleared an area for future food plots in each of the 3 sections of the farm.
This front section was seeded with wheat, oats, and crimson clover in the fall. You can see another stand on the far right side of the plot for different winds


The middle section clearing had too much debris from the mulcher, but the road next to it was cleared to plant, wheat, oats and winter peas.
The first picture shows the road to my left, 2nd picture is the clearing in front, which sprouted lots of new growth that the deer fed on late season. The 2nd plot is approximately 50 by 75 yds



The Back had a strip cleared, but we left it as a sanctuary this year due to the amount of time we spent disturbing the front of the property.

 

[Corbin.clay]

This spring I spent more time planning and researching since this was my first time managing land, instead of just being able to hunt. I went through the front half of the farm and marked as many good trees as I could ID. Borrow my in laws tractor to level the road in and put a pipe across the first creek to make it passable with the tractor. LAte winter planted a dozen mixed pear, plum and apple trees.
Here is some white clover that I mixed in the front plot late fall. It is weedy, but it was planted around thanksgiving and didnt have much time to establish.


Here is the wheat and oats planted on the road during spring greenup.



Here is the mulch pile with the wheat and oats growing in an attempt to speed up decomposition so it is plantable.


These were my first attempts at food plots, they all saw grazing, so i will judge them a success. I also know there is much room for improvement in each plot.

 

[Corbin.clay]

This summer I tried buckwheat, since reading seemed to make it out at the easiest and best for poor soils, or new food plots. I finished clearing the back plot since it was still sitting fallow from the late fall clearing. mid may (temps in the 80s) i planted 20 lbs of buckwheat to the 1/2 acre, dragged, but couldnt get my homemade cultipacker back there to pack it. Got heavy raint the next day, which ensured germination, but made the seeds move a little bit too much and growth was spotty and dense in the same plot.

The back clearing is approximately one acre, and i divided it in half to double down on the timing of the buckwheat. Back half was planted in mid May and the front half was planted mid june.
Here is the back plot approx 2 weeks after planting, the bare area im standing in was planted soon after.

 

[Corbin.clay]

This summer havent got quite as much done due to heat, humidity, and fishing.
Here is a group of what i think are water oaks. Most of the farm is pine or sweet gum so there are very few mast producing trees, so Im doing my best to find and protect them.




Mid june I did have to mow the clover patch since there was a lot weeds starting to take over. PRobably a few weeks late on the mowing.


Could not ID this tree, looked very much like an oak, but the little spines on the tips threw me off.



This is what the road looked like when we bought the property. 2 days running a weedeater just for a path to the first creek and a deer stand.

 

[Corbin.clay]

Criticism and suggestions are welcome, Im a teacher so my skin is pretty thick.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Looking good. I was fun, but challenging to start on a new piece of property. That spined tree might be a type of holly? From one biology nerd to another welcome aboard!

 

[Corbin.clay]

Should I have put this in the native habitat section? I am seeing all the land tours over there. if so either a mod move this, or someone share how to.

 

[ncnat]

It looks to me like that is what everybody called Blackjack Oak that is common in your area.

Looks like you're in western Brunswick County.

 

[Corbin.clay]

Close, Pender. I live and teach in Wilmington, NC. Blackjack oak is what my dad called it too.

 

[Corbin.clay]

NCNAT, i grew up in cabarrus county, Mount pleasant area. Spent alot of time at High Rock and Badin lake. How is the acorn production from the blackjack oaks?

 

[Eggman]

Corbin you have done a lot of good work on that property. Glad you shared it and to see another NC location. My farm is in Anson county. I will be sharing some photos soon.

 

[Corbin.clay]

Small world, first deer I ever shot was in Anson County sitting on bottom step of a ladder stand with my dad. They leased paper company land back in early 90s, left concord at 3am to get there. Back then Cabarrus had very few deer. Now they eat my mom's garden to pieces.

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[wbpdeer]

Clay

This is your Chinese Chestnut friend for the coming fall. I been reading your thread - I will enjoy riding along on this one.

When does school start for you. Aug 8th here.

 

[Corbin.clay]

August 29th here. I teach drivers ed so I'm pretty much year round. I will do some work at the farm then drive from 11 to 5 each day. Keeps wife and kids happy, I get some woods time and bank account stays in the black. I'm so glad you found me, really excited about getting started this year.

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[Corbin.clay]

Wbp, If there's anything local to NC you need let me know.

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[Corbin.clay]

Not wildlife related, but neat find in a low lying area on the farm. Pitcher plants, one of the many carnivorous plants in southeastern nc. Also saw some red sundews but can't find the pucture

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[wbpdeer]

Heck I don't have any blue eyed habitat helpers. That is a great photo.

Thanks for sharing.
WBP

 

[Corbin.clay]

That's my oldest, she fights me to go every time! Limits my efficiency but makes it worth it to see her follow me around asking questions.

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[Corbin.clay]

That's the middle one

And the youngest one, all helping out at the farm

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