How important are shooting lanes?

[decoy]

Here's my scenario,

I shoot 150 grain boat tails with my 30-06. I'm hunting a new area of very thick buck thorn - buck brush - popple cover. Can I shoot through this or am I gonna want to get in there this week and cut a couple of shooting lanes. I'm thinking I'm gonna want some lanes.

Any thoughts?

[Hotspotter]

Buckthorn on its own is nearly impenetrable. If you're cutting lanes through this stuff, might as well cut it near the stump and spray some round-up or other herbicide on the stump. That'll kill it for good. You really don't want that stuff in your woodlot.

I would brush some lanes if I were you, especially in rifle country where you could make some longer shots.

Joel

[Mark Christianson]

Round up wont kill buckthorn or other small trees or bushes effectively.

If you want to kill small woody plants, buy Clean Out at Fleet Farm. Its designed to kill trees that are cut at the stump.

And yes, not having shooting lanes would be silly. Bullets deflect of branches. Not just hard surfaces.

[Hotspotter]

BLB is right, I failed to mention that DNR recommendations (if using roundup) are to not follow mix instructions on container. Instead, do it 1:1 water and roundup! Strong stuff. I think they suggest roundup because it's so readily available. There's also some black/green stuff I've seen do a number on it, but can't remember the name for the life of me. Anybody know what it is?

Joel

[decoy]

I'm heading out tonight. I'll skip the chemicals and go straight for the chain saw. Hopefully in about hour of cutting and clearing I'll be ready.

Thanks.

[catman71]

i missed a nice doe 2 weeks ago during the early season doe hunt. 7mm mag at 40 yards in a leopold scope and a nice rest. it was brush (and not much of it) i started a thread about it 2 weeks ago called "BrushMiss". there was some great comments. saw seems like the best idea....

[bigbucks]

If you've got access to a brushmower & that will work it will be faster. In some cases with strictly brush & hand snipper/lopper is almost easier than a chainsaw, but I've done plenty with those as well. I would never intentionally hunt a stand without some type of shooting lanes. Obviously some place just don't need them, but most stands in woods do, don't be too shy about it either. A 10' lane isn't much if a deer's moving at all.

I mowed lanes the weekend before gun season right by my stand last year. I shot a big doe following one opening morning & my cousin shot a spike buck in one of the lanes that afternoon. Those deer didn't care, they just thought, "Wow sweet path dude!" Okay I'm guessing on their thoughts, but that's what it seemed like.

[colonel42]

I agree with bigbucks about the 10' lane. Bigger is better. It's a bummer to have to go back to camp and tell every one you seen deer but had no chance to shoot. It's funny how fast they can get across a 10' span just walking. About enough time to say there's a deer and it's gone. Where I hunt is over a 10 year old clear cut. Lots of 2" diameter aspen shoots that are about 10" apart. Thick stuff. I like to get out in the spring when the trees are still bare and cut my lanes. One of our local rental outfitters here have a tool like a weed wacker but uses a skil saw blade. Nice and quick. EZ on the back. Chainsaws work but I personally feel the other method is safer and cleaner. Now for the question about shooting lanes. Of cource you need to cut them. Your not shooting bird shot out of your rifle. It doesn't matter what grain of bullet you are shooting they all can deflect. When it comes to deer hunting make the time to always cut clear shooting lanes. It's better shooting for you and makes for a cleaner kill. No opps shots

[decoy]

Ok everyone,

I cut 2 ten foot lanes. One facing south and one facing east. If the deer move through this area at all, I'll have a chance.

I also went to the local salvage yard and aquired some seat belts to make safety straps. They are going to work great. I