80 acres into prime deer habitat?

[sandbur]

I believe you, Bur. You get a lot colder than we do here. We tried growing corn for several years. After lots of money outlay & time involved, the bears destroyed the bulk of any corn plots for us. Bears would stay right in the corn plots - eating, bedding, crapping - until they got it all. Deer didn't get much after the bears ate it up. I'm no fan of bears.

My neighbor is a dairyman and he plants and sprays my corn. I would never do it on my own.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Good deal. Don't blame you!

 

[Belo]

This isn't going to happen, so my first advice would be to be realistic about your goals.

Sounds like you have a great blank slate to work with, but 80 acres is just not big enough to hold mature bucks for all (or even most) of their lives.

And I agree with buckdeer....knowing what's around you is going to help....if it's mostly cover, then go with food. If it's ag, go with cover.

I agree. You're not holding any deer on 80. HOWEVER, creating a place that has food, water and shelter will increase your odds of them hiding out more on your place, especially if the orange army is your typical army and not great about scent, movement and overhunting, bumping and pushing.

Make it a place doe will love to hang out in. They'll raise their young to enjoy it and of course attract rutting bucks.

ID what your limiting factor is. Is there any water on the property? What about the neighbors? You might benefit from a small pond or 2 if not. Let some of that field just turn into a jungle. Heck, let a lot of it turn into jungle. And then I'd say go wild with trees. Apples and pears are quickish growing and deer love them, your family will too. Start an oak flat. Wont pay off for quite some time, but if it's family land your grandkids and their kids will worship you for it. Chestnuts in norther MN? Not sure, but they grow quick too.

You also might not even need to do plots if it's all field now, just mow it and maybe do some frost seeding with clover.