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An example of what we mean when we talk about grasslands deer habitat mixed with wood patches. For our us to communicate effectively with our hunters about whitetail deer habitat for hunting or scouting this picture below shows what we mean as mixed habitat. It is not just about the grass that typically grows 3 - 5 feet tall with some areas the grass higher than a man can see over. It is inclusive of the overhead wood cover, drainages of draws and swales some in grass and others in brush. All combined the total deer habitat on this land lease is composed of concealment by both grass and woods, a fallow farm free of routine human encroachment, near by food on neighboring farms and water in the creek bottom. All the elements to make for deer attracting habitat.
Between these two pictures we cover a lot of loafing or cover habitat. The grass is higher than required to cover a bedded deer from any angle and the number of deer beds found indicate this is a habitual use of this farm. What the pictures do not show are the many undulations of the terrain both in terms of areas of higher grass than a man is tall and with contours that will serve to conceal deer movement in many areas at under a 100 yards. On this farm the grass serves to diffuse the deer movement while being able to hold a lot more deer than farms in crops. A benefit or a consequence depending upon the hunter.
Locals know this tall prairie grass remains standing though the winter with the exception being the infrequent and not every winter heavy wet snow fall that may lay it down. During such years the grass pushed down by snow often is at an angle making any movement against the angled grass difficult. During the occasional freezing rain the grass will become similarly impassible due to being tangled and frozen together. What is typical however is the grass remains vertical most winters. New to the central mid-west deer hunter often express surprise at the height and thickness of such grass and it being completely alien to any previous experience. This alien deer habitat than is a mystery devoid of any trophy deer potential in their minds. Far is the truth from that idea. The hunter must adapt to the deer attracting habitat of the great plains that has had deer evolving and surviving in the tall grass for eons. A final observation not to be missed is that the trees that are capable of the best deer stands are at the lowest elevations on this farm. Many well within the sight cone of any deer traveling through the higher elevation grass covered slopes. Finally, outside of any brose for the early archery season this farm lacks any winter food source. The neighboring farms do have both grain and forage fields. Water is present within this farm. While there is not any "perfect" deer farm or habitat this farm fills in yet one more option available to the Association hunter. |
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