Constructing visual breaks against violators

[Hamilton Reef]

I recently attended a meeting at a voluntary QDM club. This was not an organized chapter, but 2000 acres of concerned deer hunters following QDM practices. The local DNR CO stopped by and listened in on their concerns. He then offered help to cover targeted problems with local violators. Shining, road hunting, and trespass were discussed.

I suggested constructing a visual barrier that worked in one area of my property. Just inside the ditch, I tilled up a 15-foot wide strip parallel the full length of the ditch. I then seeded grain sorghum just like rye, but very heavy. It came up so thick that by August it was an 8 to 10-foot solid wall. You could not shine through it (headlights or spotlight), you could not see or shoot through it, and I wouldn’t even try to walk through the wall.

The wildlife loved it. The deer were able to feed on the safe side of the wall and the game birds had winter shelter and food in one spot. The visual barrier did not take much space from the other productivity of the field and it lasted well into the next spring.

This is just one idea of a visual barrier that worked for me. Are there other ideas the COs know of that can help the landowner from the lights of the violator?

[boehr]

That's probably as good as any. You would have to replant every year and if you wanted something you wouldn't have to replant, there are different type of bushes, pine trees etc. It would take a few years before they got big enough though.

[Hamilton Reef]

Boehr, We have planted many varieties of trees and bushes, with the sorghum idea to use for the quick emegency until some of the longer growing plantings mature.

Two years ago we transplanted red pines from another property that were being run over by trespasser ATVs. They were larger than I would have normally attempted, but we only loss 10% of the transplants. We actually gained three years of growth by luck inspite of the dry summers. The sorghum was planted adjacent to the pines. I now believe the sorghum can be use concurrently with many other plantings to team up for the short and long term visual barrier.

[Airoh]

I planted 400 red pines along the road frontage where I hunt. A neighbor plants 6 or 8 rows of corn along his road frontage.
There is a reed that is growing here in Oakland county ditches. Where there is a lot of moisture it is growing 10 to 12 ft. tall. It reseeds itself so you would not have to replant. I don't know if it is ok to plant though. It grows very dense and would not let a poachers light through.


[This message has been edited by Airoh (edited 01-16-2001).]