Logging and deer movement

[Hench]

Any thoughts on how long it will take for deer to move back in after logging stops?

The property I hunt is in SE MN and is currently being logged (only select trees). I'm told the logging will be done by the start of firearm but with hunting the 3b season, I'm a little worried things won't be back to normal in time.

Thoughts?

[paceman]

A couple years ago my dad logged a good portion of woods that was where my favorite stand was. Mostly poplars. This was done in October. I was a bit dissapointed by the timing. However November came around and the deer where still there in fact it was better. We shot 5 deer out of that stand that year and to date that spot is by far the best on the farm. It is a great funnel area from big woods to swamps. The deer still travel through all the time.

[Bear55]

The deer probably never leave the area to begin with, they might use the land a little different but I don't think the would leave the area and come back after a certain amount of time. Hunt the new funnels the logged area may have created.

[BobT]

Was in the logging business for almost 10 years. In my opinion, it attracted the deer. At that time I was also dabbling in photography for my own use and when I wanted to get close to wildlife, I'd head to the area we were logging. During the day I the deer would actually lay down close enough to the skidder trails they could watch us drive by as we went back and forth to the landing. I can remember seeing deer while felling trees laying on the ground watching me work.

[sticknstring]

Logging equipment & chainsaws are dinner bells to whitetails. A recent clearcut will provide some of the best deer hunting you'll find. The first year is always the best. Look for the tops of the popple that are left behind. Good as gold.

[bogwalker]

It depends on what was there before and what is left after. Logging can help or hurt short term hunting but almost always helps long term. Young deer will feed there first on fresh growth.

[MUSKY18]

We rifle hunt mainly on Potlatch land and when they log off a certain area, its almost like a fight over who gets to hang a stand in that area. Always good after the logging is done. Like sniper said, first year is the best, but the second year is pretty dynamite as well. The grass starts coming in and the small trees with leaves are right there for them. After a few years it starts to get pretty crowded with saplings and hard to see in there, but the edges are still great spots. We just went up to our area this past weekend and there were two large areas logged off......can't wait to hang some stands!!!

[Bear55]

I actually have my best luck in logging area after the first 2-3 years of regrowth up through the next 10-15 years when the thick cover holds a lot of does.

[Hench]

Thanks everyone! Good to hear of others' success after logging.

[motley man]

Hunt state forest with alot of logging and that new growth holds the deer. They feed off new buds & grasses that grow there. Hunt the edges where you can see and wait.