Channel 5 interview w/ MNDHA president

[SmellEsox]

You have to remember this winter is what we used to have in the 60's 70's and 80's...

I've actually done quite a bit of research on this the past week. While the decades of the 60's and 70's were indeed tough, winters in the 80's were weak in comparison to this winter. This has been a bitter cold winter. In fact, since 1899, the only winters with more days below -20 (for Little Falls) were 1935-36 and 1911-12. 1978-79 was close, but we've had 26 days where temps have dropped below -20 this winter, 24 in 78-79. And we've had 56 or 57 days below zero and we have a long way to go yet this winter. This is a butt kicking winter from a historical perspective. No winter in the 60's or 70's has been this cold for so many days and we do have a fair amount of snow as well and likely to get more in the next couple weeks.

[Jaybird]

Buck - what kind of trees did you drop? I'm thinking about doing the same. I recently read an attachment on one of these posts that mentioned ash, maple, and birch as good choices.

[LABS4ME]

Aspen and Maple would be my two choices...

Good Luck!

Ken

[hockeybc69]

What about box elder?

I have read mixed opinions on that.

Personally, I hinge every one of them I run across. If nothing else I use them for bedding cover because they grow like weeds.

[Getanet]

Worthless organization.

DNR to allow emergency deer feeding in northern Minnesota...Volunteer groups including MDHA chapters are expected to deliver the feed by snowmobile to known deer wintering areas.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/245274831.html

What a worthless, selfish organization. Can I get an Amen Nonteepical?

[Scott M]

Wow. It's cold enough that he11 has frozen over. The winds of politics steer the boat again.

[LABS4ME]

What about box elder?

I have read mixed opinions on that.

Personally, I hinge every one of them I run across. If nothing else I use them for bedding cover because they grow like weeds.

Box Elders are a maple. Acer Negundo. #2 producer of maple syrup in the country. Sold in nurseries in NoDak as Ash Leaf Maple.

Good Luck!

Ken

[nonteepical]

[quote name='GetanetWhat a worthless' date=' selfish organization. Can I get an Amen Nonteepical? [/quote']

Amen, they're worthless.

[mntatonka]

Amen, they're worthless.

You mean the organization that just leveraged the dnr into approving deer feeding in northern minnesota, and will volunteer to help deliver the feed? That worthless organization?

[smsmith]

As a Morrison Cty. Chapter member of MDHA I'll admit it...I had zero expectations of the MDHA being able to get the DNR to release funds for feeding. I'm glad I was wrong

[BuckSutherland]

What about box elder?

I have read mixed opinions on that.

Personally, I hinge every one of them I run across. If nothing else I use them for bedding cover because they grow like weeds.

I did some aspen and a few maple. I tried to hinge cut every single one of them. I was all by myself out there, and it was a little scary with nobody around. Anyways... Every single tree that I tried to drop just snapped on me. I tried taking out wedges, I tried to cut and push, I went super slow. Everyone of them just snapped. I think it was way to cold. It was about -10 when I was doing it.

I mounted a camera and made a bunch of sawdust by one of the downed trees. I want to see just how good it works. I felt bad even going in there and making a big ruckus, but I was loud the whole way so they knew I was coming. I hope it did some good. I might have to get up and do more. I hope I can get some of these pellets from the DNR. If anyone knows where to get some let me know.

[smsmith]

Everyone of them just snapped. I think it was way to cold. It was about -10 when I was doing it.

Yep, just too cold for hingeing. Dropping trees for browse is one thing (that you accomplished), but hingeing them so they provide browse now and survive for a year or two is another. Waiting until the sap begins to rise is the best practice for hingeing

[BuckSutherland]

Yep, just too cold for hingeing. Dropping trees for browse is one thing (that you accomplished), but hingeing them so they provide browse now and survive for a year or two is another. Waiting until the sap begins to rise is the best practice for hingeing

Well that makes me feel better. I just started reading about it this winter and thought I would try it. Still plenty of trees in my area to practice on. When does the sap rise?? In the spring?? What month??

[Todd Caswell]

Is there enough browse on a tree to make it worth knocking over a healthy tree? Unless you were planning on cutting them down for other purposes.

Probably don't want to try this on the state land we hunt on in 172.

[smsmith]

Sap rises when temps rise. When folks start tapping maples...that's when hingeing is the most effective

[BuckSutherland]

Is there enough browse on a tree to make it worth knocking over a healthy tree? Unless you were planning on cutting them down for other purposes.

Probably don't want to try this on the state land we hunt on in 172.

Cutting the trees anyways on my 40 cause I want to get a food plot in and needed sunlight.

[Bureaucrat]

MDHA declined to join the Minnesota Deer Density Initiative, against a growing and involved number of frustrated hunters. That group has very well documented proof of funny math that has led to collapse in many zones.

If they can't get on board to simply start a discussion about revisiting the goal setting process, then what good are they? A grass roots movement popped up where the establishment organization failed to act because they didn't want to offend anyone at the DNR. Well I hope they enjoy their tea time while the resource collapses.

What other organization is doing anything? I invite you to go check out the QDMA forums some time. There are legions of us over there that are bouncing ideas off one another constantly to figure out how to improve and maximize native forage and habitat on the property we have. We don't sit idly by and hope someone else does something. We're out there every year planting trees, cutting trees, food plotting, predator hunting, and supplementing minerals year round. We put back ten times what we'll ever take out. That's where real conservation happens. Not in St. Paul or in the offices of MDHA.

I couldn't give a hill of beans what the governor or MDHA says. If it's time to buzz off an acre of land to provide much needed browse, I'm going to do it.

[mntatonka]

MDHA declined to join the Minnesota Deer Density Initiative, against a growing and involved number of frustrated hunters. That group has very well documented proof of funny math that has led to collapse in many zones.

If they can't get on board to simply start a discussion about revisiting the goal setting process, then what good are they? A grass roots movement popped up where the establishment organization failed to act because they didn't want to offend anyone at the DNR. Well I hope they enjoy their tea time while the resource collapses.

What other organization is doing anything? I invite you to go check out the QDMA forums some time. There are legions of us over there that are bouncing ideas off one another constantly to figure out how to improve and maximize native forage and habitat on the property we have. We don't sit idly by and hope someone else does something. We're out there every year planting trees, cutting trees, food plotting, predator hunting, and supplementing minerals year round. We put back ten times what we'll ever take out. That's where real conservation happens. Not in St. Paul or in the offices of MDHA.

I couldn't give a hill of beans what the governor or MDHA says. If it's time to buzz off an acre of land to provide much needed browse, I'm going to do it.

MDHA hasn't declined to support MDDI, they simply haven't made a decision yet. A decision should be made next weekend at their corporate board meeting. That doesn't mean MDHA hasn't been pushing for the same thing, just through a different means. I think Mark's post on MDHA's facebook page proved that.

Many MDHA members are also members of QDMA, and practice various forms of voluntary harvest restrictions, as well as major habitat improvements.

[LABS4ME]

Is there enough browse on a tree to make it worth knocking over a healthy tree? Unless you were planning on cutting them down for other purposes.

Probably don't want to try this on the state land we hunt on in 172.

Lot's of browse on just a single tree! They'll be able to eat every branch vs. just the ones 6' off the ground and under. Bunnies use it too and grouse will get down into the canopy for daytime cover... I knocked an aspen over this fall by my stand and every day, two does would come out at sunset and stand on the edge of the clearing and browse for 15 inutes on the top of that downed aspen...

Yep! DOn't want to do this on State land.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Getanet]

MDHA declined to join the Minnesota Deer Density Initiative, against a growing and involved number of frustrated hunters. That group has very well documented proof of funny math that has led to collapse in many zones.

We're out there every year planting trees, cutting trees, food plotting, predator hunting, and supplementing minerals year round. We put back ten times what we'll ever take out. That's where real conservation happens. Not in St. Paul or in the offices of MDHA.

Are you trying to say the MDHA, and whatever "funny math" you're referring to, has led to collapse in many zones? Please describe that because I don't even know how it's possible.

Also, as you probably know, many MDHA members also have "boots on the ground" doing a ton of real conservation and habitat improvement. Either individually or collective efforts with their local chapters.

I'm not even an active member of the MDHA, but I love how all these other groups like to take pot shots at it.

[Bureaucrat]

The funny math of the DNR.