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Post by Dutch on Feb 10, 2013 15:56:03 GMT -5
This year, I have a small log trail plot that I'm going to refurbish. It goes thru an area that the grouse seem to really like anyway. So, I'm going to plant it with White Dutch clover for the grouse. The smaller leaves, I believe, will appeal to grouse of all ages and will give them a quality food supply into late fall.
The last time I had White Dutch in a mix, back in 2000, I had tons of grouse all over those trails that were planted with the mix. Maybe it'll work again.
With a new pup, it'll be nice to have a spot to take her where we have a better chance of finding some grouse.
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Post by bake545 on Feb 10, 2013 17:53:47 GMT -5
How wide is the trail and how much sun does it get? I have an old road I've contemplated doing this to in the past but don't really have the time now. It would take some doing to get the soil up to snuff for clover but would be fun to do and see what use it would get. This road is in some decent grouse habitat and always has tons of scraps on it too. If only I had more time......  |
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Post by Dutch on Feb 10, 2013 18:04:29 GMT -5
Its about 8 ft wide, and goes thru an old pasture that is now mostly briars. Might be 70 yds long. I've had clover on it thru the years. last year we spread some powdered lime on it to bring the pH up a bit. I then sprayed it with to much 2,4,D to kill the clover and nothing grew on that trail all year!
So, with a little discing this spring, it should be ready for more seed.
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Post by richg on Feb 10, 2013 18:46:49 GMT -5
Those buggers love clover.Grapes seem to be their favorite.I thought about planting some of those too.They also go nuts over apples.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 10, 2013 18:53:06 GMT -5
There are lots of crabapples and apple trees in this spot as well. Last year, total failure of the apples and crabs. No grouse. Even the multifora didn't have any rose hips on them.  |
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Post by Dutch on Feb 10, 2013 18:55:29 GMT -5
This little girl will need some grouse to practice on this summer!  |
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Post by richg on Feb 11, 2013 20:34:47 GMT -5
That's a cute little bugger right there. |
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Post by bake545 on Feb 11, 2013 20:44:20 GMT -5
Think you old guys will be able to keep up |
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Post by Dutch on Feb 11, 2013 20:54:26 GMT -5
That's a cute little bugger right there. She comes to visit a couple times per week, just to harass Kathy's dog. Her name is Long Gone Tiadaghton, TI for short, and I can't wait to see her on point! |
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Post by richg on Feb 12, 2013 5:24:24 GMT -5
It's easy to get attached to man's best friend and watching a dog work on point is one of the finer parts of hunting.
Bake has a point though,she might wear you old codgers out. ;D
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Post by Dutch on Feb 12, 2013 6:13:24 GMT -5
Think you old guys will be able to keep up A slow pace by the hunters forces the dog to hunt thoroughly. |
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Post by rober on Feb 12, 2013 6:55:45 GMT -5
Maybe we will see you at the South Mountain "Grouse Challenge" this year to brush up on your shooting skills. If the little girl is going to find them, you need to be able to reward her
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Post by Dutch on Feb 12, 2013 13:29:19 GMT -5
Maybe we will see you at the South Mountain "Grouse Challenge" this year to brush up on your shooting skills. If the little girl is going to find them, you need to be able to reward her Oh man that is brutal. No way I could do that course with my shoulder anymore. I shot a couple claybirds last year and paid for it. I did go and watch the other year. That is a "challenge", to say the least. |
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Post by cornusracemosa on Feb 15, 2013 19:19:26 GMT -5
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Post by Dutch on Feb 15, 2013 21:38:09 GMT -5
Heck, you hunted where my grouse trail is gonna go Corny. I will add some oats to the clover planting this spring.
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Post by cornusracemosa on Feb 15, 2013 22:09:17 GMT -5
That trail with the good escape cover around it will be a nice boost to grouse. Btw, when are my 2013 dues due?
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Post by Dutch on Feb 15, 2013 22:14:12 GMT -5
June they are due.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 15, 2013 22:16:32 GMT -5
That trail with the good escape cover around it will be a nice boost to grouse. Btw, when are my 2013 dues due? I hit that trail with to much 2,4,D last year. I'm hoping things will grow this year. Maybe get there in mid April, run the disc over it , with some oats thrown in, then seed with white dutch clover. Goldenrod and blackberrys on the edges, with a stand of spruce and also the crabapples, should be killer. |
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Post by cornusracemosa on Feb 16, 2013 7:31:27 GMT -5
That is exactly what we prescribe for our SGL roads. Getting that rubus on the road edge is very important.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 16, 2013 9:14:53 GMT -5
That is exactly what we prescribe for our SGL roads. Getting that rubus on the road edge is very important. That reverting field that the grouse trail runs thru, was eaten to the ground in 2002 from too many deer. The rubus didn't show up until about 2005. The grouse responded pretty well. I hope the clover and oats "take" this spring, that lil pup needs a place to hunt. |
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Post by Dutch on Feb 21, 2013 21:26:05 GMT -5
Well, the grouse trail will get seeded the last weekend of April. Guess my work will be delayed by those derned turkey hunters, but, we'll get it done!
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Post by archeryman32 on Feb 22, 2013 11:21:53 GMT -5
My property is reclaimed farm pasture from 90 some years ago. What is still there, however, are alot of Barberry (spelling?) bushes. Anytime in the fall, there is at least a grouse or two around these, eating the berries. No exaggeration, I can walk through my property and see 8-10 grouse easily in the area were these bushes are. If you are looking to attrach grouse, I'd line that trail with them. It will no doubt bring them in.
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Post by dougell on Feb 22, 2013 16:39:57 GMT -5
They're also easy to grow and the deer don't seem to mess with them much either.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 22, 2013 17:25:48 GMT -5
I do have some barberry. It is also an invasive. Lots of the area of the grouse trail holds tartarian honeysuckle, which produces a berry. It also takes over and nothing else but it, grows. When we had way to many deer, they kept it in check, but no longer.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 22, 2013 17:36:15 GMT -5
The other year when they had the Michaux State Forest tour, there were areas of barberry there that were inpenetrable. Nothing else growing.
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