now what do I do, and when...

[keith44]

Ok, thinned the center of my front field (briars and woody brush) leaving 15 feet of a "feathered" edge around the perimeter (where it borders the woods), I have the first planting of sunflowers in the ground, with two more plantings scheduled (roughly two weeks apart),  I have turnips seeds ready to plant, along with rye and winter wheat.  (figuring on mid June planting).  I have two brush piles one near the center of the field, one in the edge of the woods.  West field is fallow, thinking of putting some bald cypress around the most westerly side and thinning the edge of the woods some there.

This is being done for rabbit and (hopefully) quail (bobwhite) habitat.  The turnips are for deer and me

Am I missing anything here, or is there something I'm not considering?  What would you do different?

Keith

[dukkillr]

How big, and what state/weather pattern?

[keith44]

12 acres in western Ky, 1/2 mile from TWO hunting lodges 

[Land_Owner]

I am not exactly sure how your plot is set up, but I like a thick edge for deer.  They seem more confident and less skiddish when the edge is thick as in 10-feet width of grain sorghum that is 9-feet tall all the way around.  This may be less suitable for quail, but it is a great tactic for deer.  Security is a must for deer...and a palatable food supply.  Also, around the edge, back in the tree line, fell and thin trees to allow for more sunlight but lay the trees and debris to create gaps, specific places for the deer to enter and leave the field.  This will keep you from breaking your neck watching ever square inch of your edge and knowing where they should be coming and going.