What to do with Cedar Swamp

[faithorn Hunter]

I have about 20 acres of cedar swamp that is considered sanctuary. We leave it alone, yet it just doesn't seem to hold deer. It has been browsed up to about 6 feet, but does have numerous thick areas, some you can barely walk thru, and some higher areas. It does not hold water and is relatively dry after the spring months.

I own the land to the north, the land to the west is farmed, the farmer does not hunt, the land to the south is an absentee owner who leases the land for hunting (fallow fields border the south), however, I have never seen a hunter near this area, they tend to concentrate their hunting about 40 acres to the south. A paved public road creates the east border with public hunting hunting land across this road. This public land sees a great deal of pressure.

With all the pressure to the east, and little or no pressure from the south and west, I would think that this cedar swamp would be a good holding area for deer, especially good bucks. Yet scouting trips after season show little or no sign. We seldom see deer entering or leaving this area, even after a good snowfall we seldom see tracks.

In addition to the farm fields to the west we have numerous food plots and obviously farm fields to the north and west. With a predominantly south by southwest wind, the cedar area is seldom down wind of the movement we do on the property.

Any suggestions on how we can make this cedar swamp area more attractive to deer?

[mike hartges]

In the late season, you could cut a few of the cedars and this would act as a food source.

[gunfun13]

I hunt a large cedar swamp in the NWL, and have had great success putting in small rye plots in openings. Some get very little sunlight, but still grow quite well. I just rake leaves and debris from the area and broadcast the seed, if there is grass or weeds growing get yourself a backpack sprayer and kill it off first. There are large oak flats to the east where deer feed and a pine staging area in between where a few other guys hunt. The deer feed on my rye before heading out to the oaks and it helps concentrate the movement around my stand. I also think it helps the deer from going past the other hunters during daylight.

[codybear]

I have the EXACT same problem with my small cedar swamp and I think its due to lack of cover in the swamp. My cedar swamp is pretty open and you can practically see from one end to the other. When the deer do frequent it (during light to no pressure), they seem to hang more around the edges of the swamp rather than in it and thats because its so thick around the edges.

I wouldnt cut any cedars as mentioned above unless you have some type of regeneration program set up because cedars grow at a snails pace.

How thick is it in the swamp itself?

CB

[answerguy8]

I wouldnt cut any cedars as mentioned above unless you have some type of regeneration program set up because cedars grow at a snails pace.


CB

How about topping some trees or just trimming branches?

[codybear]

How about topping some trees or just trimming branches?

I think topping some trees would be a good idea because it would provide both cover and some added food source. Some of our best hunting sopts in the U.P. are areas that were recently logged and on privtae property where they dont have regulation on how high the tops have to be cut down, like there is on state land. Its hard hunting in heavy tops but it sure does hold the deer.

Another thought would be to hinge cut any non cedar trees in the swamp, provided there are some.

CB

[faithorn Hunter]

Thanks for the input Gunfun. Does the Rye get tall enough to provide more cover? It's my feeling that the deer don't have enough cover to call the swamp "home", however, there are several very thick areas that you can't walk thru, let alone see through. I would think the deer would feel secure in these areas.

[faithorn Hunter]

Thanks for the reply Codybear, the swamp has some areas that are so thick you can't see or walk thru them, however, the other areas you can see a long distance. There is little ground cover in these areas, however, alot of trees are laying down horizontally.

[wagoneer]

I am not sure if you can hinge cut cedar. Can you get to some with heavy equipment to the area and push some over? I am sure you have seen cedars that fell over due to soft ground and kept growing. You might have to find just the right conditions to get this to work, but you could end up with some really neat arched cedar logs.

That would help with food sources and cover/shelter. Another idea is to create more edge to the swamp. Make some sweeps in (fill with rye or young hardwoods) and perhaps plant some young ones coming out for points. Any cedars that are shorter than the browse line will need to be protected of course. You could also mix in some spruce. They should not need protecting. This combination would increase food, edge, and cover.

[gunfun13]

Rye won't do anything to increase your cover, but the deer will feel much more secure feeding in cover then an open farm field. They will probably still go to the farm fields but mainly after dark. If you already have some areas that are too thick to walk through it sounds like you have a good start for cover, and sounds like there just isn't any prefered browse from what you describe. Although I have no experience doing it, I like the idea of cutting the tops of cedars for increased cover and a winter food source. Add cover, browse and some food sources and you should have a whitetail hotspot in no time.

[Grouse Hunter]

I agree, I would not suggest cutting any significant number of trees. You can simulate natural dsitrubance by taking out a couple trees. I wouldn't take out too many.

[RIVERAT]

If any degree of cedars are removed, what is in it's wake that will take it's place? If there are a lot of deer moving in, yes they will devour the cedar. But if a lot of new seedling cedars try to take off again, they may be mowed down before they can even get above browse level.

That would definitely be the case in my area. In your area?, I don't know but when dealing with trees, a mistake can take a while to correct. Use caution.