Attracting more deer

[villebones 4]

Hi there, a mate of mine owns approximately 350 acres of mixed land (Agricultural, a water meadow and a patch of woodland).

He regularly has a group of three to six roe does on his land but they tend to stray across the land boundary off into some bigger woods.

Anyway we we're just wondering if there was anyway of attracting more deer onto his land.

Thanks in advance, Will

[waidmann 105]

if the deer have a "standing" there (cover where they spend the rest phases) then they will keep coming back.

if not then make some thick cover for them(brambles are attractivein winter,willow spikes etc etc)

 

mineral stones can draw them (with aniseed oil) take care that they cant lick the stone but only running off salts that will be on the bark/post).

 

feeding will not have much effect at this time of year i think unless its something special.

the groups will be breaking up soon if not already.

 

the biggest atractant for roe is peace and quiet(not bothering them with dogs/walking around etc).

 

hope this helps,

 

waidmann

[sh 08 17]

Well its helped me thanks for that, i was told acornd with a bit of vailla over the top

Edited April 8, 2010 by sh 08

[langouroux 14]

if the deer have a "standing" there (cover where they spend the rest phases) then they will keep coming back.

if not then make some thick cover for them(brambles are attractivein winter,willow spikes etc etc)

 

mineral stones can draw them (with aniseed oil) take care that they cant lick the stone but only running off salts that will be on the bark/post).

 

feeding will not have much effect at this time of year i think unless its something special.

the groups will be breaking up soon if not already.

 

the biggest atractant for roe is peace and quiet(not bothering them with dogs/walking around etc).

 

 

why not lick the stone mate? becuase they will use it up to quickly?

 

hope this helps,

 

waidmann

[langouroux 14]

cocked up that last post!

 

why not lick the stone? will they just hammer it?

[waidmann 105]

acorn are free feed and good in winter.with the natural vegitation coming up they will opt for that 9 times out of 10. the roe is a "food selector" and eats about 100 different types of plants,moss and tree (opposed to the grasing species red,fallow,sika....).

 

its better to enhance the enviroment than to feed in general(chalking,fertilising,planting etc etc) this enables more species to take up the habitat(improving biodiversity).

cutting hedges in steps(i.e. 1/4 one year 1/4 the next and so on improves the quality of the hedge without causing lulls in cover and food).

 

 

waidmann

[villebones 4]

Cheers for the help so far

I've been told that 'sheep lick' is also a good attractant.

Is his true or false?

[john robbo 30]

I have seen more deer this year in "beat" fields then ever before.

surley some strategically place fodder beat would work.

Also of note is we have planted on the shoot 2 years ago alot of chicory game crops and the roe love the stuff.

we now have x3 the deer we used to have..

no coincidence they use it in deer lawns.

Edited April 8, 2010 by john robbo

[waidmann 105]

Cheers for the help so far

I've been told that 'sheep lick' is also a good attractant.

Is his true or false?

 

 

i presume that sheep lick is a mineral paste/block? they will use them regularly especially on poor soils/moult time.

there are mumerous "game mixes" available to plant/sew or you can make them up yorself. wild flower seed is normally quite good,as are sweet lupins,peas,wheat,oats,maize.

we have fed beet in winter(always with hay).pheasant type feeders are also very good if you can get the corn cheap/are willing to go to the expense.

the best is to improve the habitat if you are thinking long term

 

waidmann

[villebones 4]

 

i presume that sheep lick is a mineral paste/block? they will use them regularly especially on poor soils/moult time.

there are mumerous "game mixes" available to plant/sew or you can make them up yorself. wild flower seed is normally quite good,as are sweet lupins,peas,wheat,oats,maize.

we have fed beet in winter(always with hay).pheasant type feeders are also very good if you can get the corn cheap/are willing to go to the expense.

the best is to improve the habitat if you are thinking long term

 

waidmann

 

Yes 'sheep lick' is mineral/salt blocks.

How would you make the ideal deer habitat.

I imagine plenty of cover but what sort of thing would they like best?

I'm looking into 'chicory game cover' like john robbo said.

Is bracken good?

 

The woodland cover that is currently there, is just plenty of fallen down trees, it is quite dead overall. There is also patches of thick brambles. There is a stream running through the woods and a lake just outside so they have a good water source.

 

The deer are often seen lying down in the meadow under a tree. When they are spooked they run across the field into the wooded patch and then wonder off into a bigger wood on some neighbouring land. On walks through the neighbouring wood we see plenty of deer but the land owner won't allow shooters on there.

[waidmann 105]

have you thought of opening the canopy of the trees and letting some light in? (asking the farmer/owner if he needs some wood for the fire might help you get permission for that one ).

 

is thw wood "closed"(thick bushes around the outside) if not then coppicing of willow,erle etc will help and the planting/transfering of hawthorn,blackthorn etc will improve food for numerous other species.

 

these will have to be done around autumn time to avoid disturbance to nesting birds.

 

waidmann

[villebones 4]

Thank you all very much for all your help and advice so far.

 

What I'm thinking of doing is clearing out the dead trees, removing all of the dead plants and rotting wood. This will leave room for new life and a nice greener wood. I will leave some fallen trees as I know that the muntjac deer hide under them. I will then plant some bracken for cover and open the canopy of the trees so that light shines through on the bracken (I've been told deer like to sunbathe). I am also looking into planting chicory game cover as suggested by john robbo. I will then plant some sort of food plant such as a blackberry bush or Can anyone suggest a better fod source?

 

Let me know what you all think please and feel free to offer advice on how I can improve this idea.

[Gamble 4]

[villebones 4]

 

Problem?

[Gamble 4]

 

Problem?

sorry a have click on the wrong thread