I am looking for land in Eastern Washington or North Idaho. Most of what I can afford is totally undeveloped, so I would be starting with a clean slate. What if I were to develop the land in such a way that it would attract whitetail deer, and I could fill my chest freezer with venison without ever having to leave my property.
After all, what do deer really want? A source of water? Easy! Just make a large pond. Protective cover? Easy! Plant some fast-growing poplars while waiting for the evergreens to reach suitable heights. Winter food? No Problem! Just plant the right species of fir and pine trees. Summer food? Select a good forage crop that grows well under the trees.
It seems like you could develop a Garden of Eden for the deer, with the understanding that a small sacrifice must be paid once every year. Has anyone ever tried this before?
Hi Clunker,
With respect to the debate, in my opinion, if it is your land, you pay the taxes, put in the sweat equity, you can hunt any way you damn well please.
Hopefully without sounding critical, your once a year, "small sacrifice" may not be realistic. It takes an investment of time and money often beyond what most sportsmen are willing to spend. If you can spread the investment over several years, following a plan, you can achieve your goal.
Over the last 20 years, I have invested easily $30,000 into equipment and material to support the deer on my land. I have a Case backhoe that cost me $14 k to dig rocks, stumps and carry top soil to places I need it. I have a Ford 8N with a two bottom plow, 8 foot disc, 5 foot brush hog, back blade and several hand built drags for leveling. Last year I invested $3K in rebuilding the entire tractor. This year alone I invested $400 in just fencing.
Seed, for the food plots this year cost me $75, fertilizer and lime was $200. I haven’t kept track of the gas and diesel that I have spent. Could easily be $100 just to get the plots ready in the spring/summer.
I am buying 100 lbs of corn a week now at $10 per bag. When the winter gets bad, that will go to 200 lbs a week.
Worth it, hell yes. I am planning on expanding again next year and planting a quarter acre of pumpkins.
This spring, a bad one, but the rutabaga came through again.
This years food plot in front of the house.
A couple of bucks that come in every day.