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Summer Chores

 

Land managers and owners know that the work never stops. Owning recreational properties is a lifetime commitment for many, and a multi-year commitment for others. But the responsibility of managing the land in order for it to reach its maximum potential requires effort.

While some of the mundane chores are routine and year around. Many of the chores are seasonal and are delegated to specific seasons of the year. As summer approaches with a vengeance, land owners and managers are scurrying to get things in order for the fast approaching fall deer opener.

Here in South Carolina, much of the state deer season opens August 15, this causes a crunch of time for many of the owners and managers. Summer chores are wide open and the long hot days do not help the situation. Below are a list of ‘must do’ chores land owners and managers need to consider to get their property in tip top condition before the opening of deer season. Regardless of the actual opening date you are anticipating, the preparation is ongoing.

The first thing on the list is weed control. A lot has been written about weed control in food plots and certainly that is part of the summer program. But in addition to food plots, weed control must be a property wide program. From boundary to boundary, keeping weeds at bay is an exhaustive and expensive program. But the payoff is worth the effort.

If you are like many land owners, you are constantly fighting against careless neighbors whose concern for weeds is absent. This makes the effort seemingly worthless and a waste of time and resources. However from personal experience I can attest, that not fighting the weeds because of lazy neighbors only makes things worse. By controlling the weeds as much as possible on my property, I ensure the spread is contained and while it may seem it is not getting any better, it certainly is not getting worse.

Weeds to consider include, thistle, sweetgum, blackberry, kudzu, wisteria, fennel, an others. Depending on where you are in your state, your specific weeds may be different. Those listed here are the ones that I personally find myself fighting in the piedmont of South Carolina.

Second on the list of summer chores is moving and correcting stands. Some of this should have been done in January and February, but for those who were unable to get to it at that time, now is the time to get in there and move stands, cut shooting lanes, and secure stands to trees. Part of this chore includes replacing any worn straps, fasteners, steps, etc.

I like to use ratchet straps to hold my stands to trees. Regardless of whether it is a lock on stand or ladder stand, I really like the convenience of using ratchet straps. While these are great for using, they decay over time in the elements. The ratchets rust, and the straps weaken from constant exposure to the elements. I like to replace my straps at a minimum of every three years, and many of them every other year. It is cheap insurance to make sure the straps holding you in the tree are strong and secure.

Mowing lanes and roadways: This is a chore that I will do at least three times during the summer. Mowing the lanes, walk paths and roadways keeps unwanted vegetation from taking over these areas. It also helps to keep ticks and other vermin at bay in these areas that I use for travel. Areas that cannot be mowed with a bush hog, can be controlled with a string trimmer.

Establishing access lanes to stands. All new stands will have to have good clear access lanes to enable the hunter to get to the stand unnoticed. Now is the time to get these into good order and to establish the routes to take to reach the stand. I have written extensively on access points the importance of making sure you do not spook game while approaching your stand. Getting these into good condition now will make sure when the time is right, your approach to the stand will be as quiet and stealthy as possible.

Fertilizing plants, trees and vines: This may seem obvious when discussing food plots. But fertilizing goes much further. Many land owners have learned the importance of fertilizing their soft mast trees, bushes and vines. From persimmon trees to muscadine vines, these soft mast plants need fertilizer and will produce significantly more mast when provided the proper nutrients.

Many fertilizing companies have jumped on board with the fertilizing of plants other than food plots. Some companies now design blends specifically for soft mast producing trees and vines. Look for fertilizer that is uniquely suited for your species of plant where you live.

The list of summer chores is long and difficult to complete in time without a good plan. Starting with the list here, you can establish your own list of priorities and get a good start on your list of summer chores to make your recreational property as beneficial as possible.