yoderjac
5 year old buck +
I have them from time to time and few of them pass muster. Help me convince myself this is not a reasonable idea or that it is...
So, I have a tiny microplot in a riparian buffer that is primarily white oak. I planted a tiny microplot in it. The area is remote so it is not properly limed. I've planted perennial clover. It grows, but not great. Then when leaves fall and cover it, if I don't remove the leaves (which I don't want to do during the season), it kills the clover.
The purpose of the plot is not to feed or really attract deer. Deer generally move through this buffer in transition. When there are acorns, they will linger and suck them up. The purpose of the plot is to simply get deer to slow down for a few bites as they move through and position them for an archery shot. It is probably less than 0.10 acres.
The current situation is not worth the effort. I'm now contemplating alternatives. I live in the suburbs and here where hunting is limited to archery and deer numbers are high, I've seen deer targeting azaleas. They are an acid loving shrub that seems to be shade tolerant. It is easy to start them from cuttings.
So, here is the hair-brained idea. Would it make sense to start and plant azaleas under the oaks in this area. I would use some fencing to protect them for a season or so until they are well established. I presume once established that deer would not browse them beyond survival when I remove the fence.
So, what do you think....?
Jack
So, I have a tiny microplot in a riparian buffer that is primarily white oak. I planted a tiny microplot in it. The area is remote so it is not properly limed. I've planted perennial clover. It grows, but not great. Then when leaves fall and cover it, if I don't remove the leaves (which I don't want to do during the season), it kills the clover.
The purpose of the plot is not to feed or really attract deer. Deer generally move through this buffer in transition. When there are acorns, they will linger and suck them up. The purpose of the plot is to simply get deer to slow down for a few bites as they move through and position them for an archery shot. It is probably less than 0.10 acres.
The current situation is not worth the effort. I'm now contemplating alternatives. I live in the suburbs and here where hunting is limited to archery and deer numbers are high, I've seen deer targeting azaleas. They are an acid loving shrub that seems to be shade tolerant. It is easy to start them from cuttings.
So, here is the hair-brained idea. Would it make sense to start and plant azaleas under the oaks in this area. I would use some fencing to protect them for a season or so until they are well established. I presume once established that deer would not browse them beyond survival when I remove the fence.
So, what do you think....?
Jack