During a recent episode of The Hunting Gear Podcast, host Dan Johnson interviewed Adam Keith from the Land & Legacy Podcast to talk about the tools of the trade that a seasoned wildlife habitat manager needs. We all have dreams of owning our own piece of dirt and the necessary equipment to maintain it. It’s no secret that tractors, skid steers, and the attachments that go with them don’t come cheap. However, this episode details the less expensive products that you can utilize to improve the habitat that you hunt.
Disclaimer – if you solely hunt public ground, this may not be an option for you, but it doesn’t mean you won’t learn something. Here’s a summary of products that were discussed and links to where you can buy them.
Chainsaw
The first product that a land manager needs to invest in is a chainsaw. A chainsaw is a land manager’s best friend and is essential for maximizing the potential of your property. Whether you’re cutting less desirable trees to create cover or additional browse, implementing a Timber Stand Improvement plan is a great way to improve the habitat on your property. Utilizing a chainsaw comes at a risk, so don’t forget to invest in chainsaw chaps, helmets, eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection.
When it comes to chainsaws, don’t go cheap but don’t buy a bigger saw than what you need or feel comfortable with. You’ll want a chainsaw that’s easy to find parts for and hopefully, there is a local repair shop nearby that carries them in your area. The most popular brands are Stihl and Husqvarna. It’s a good idea to keep a few extra sharp chains with you in case you break a chain or it becomes dull. Resharpening a chain is possible, but it’s not for everyone. If a chainsaw isn’t in your budget, you can go with the hack and squirt method.
Herbicide Applicator
Removing unwanted plants is essential to improving the landscape within your property. When performed properly, this will allow you to maximize the potential nutritional value throughout your property. The Land & Legacy Podcast will teach you all you need to know about this topic. Glyphosate is the most common herbicde that you’ll utilize to remove unwanted plants, especially invasives.
The backpack sprayer is good for spot spraying individual areas but for larger areas, such as old fields, you’ll want to invest in a larger ATV Sprayer. However, if you don’t have access to an ATV, UTV, tractor, or similar piece of equipment, then a backpack sprayer might be your only option. When purchasing an ATV/UTV sprayer, be to make sure you get a sprayer with a boom, instead of the handle. I made this mistake last year and it cost me time and money!
ATV/UTV Herbicide Applicators:
- Fimco 25 Gallon Boomless ATV Sprayer
- 25-Gallon ATV Deluxe Spot Sprayer
- Chapin 15-Gallon, 12-Volt EZ Tow Dripless Sprayer
- WorkHorse Sprayers 25 gal. ATV Sprayer 7-Nozzle Boom
Backpack Sprayers:
Equipment
It’s no secret that a Tractor, UTV, or ATV would make habitat improvement projects simpler. If I had my choice, I’d skip all of that and go straight to a skid steer. However, that’s not quite in my budget at this point in my life, so I’ll stick to utilizing an ATV. If you can afford a piece of equipment for habitat projects, I would rank them in this order of most versatile vs. least versatile.
- Skid steer w/ tracks
- Tractor
- UTV (Side-by-Side)
- ATV (Fourwheeler)
Broadcast Spreader
Just like the herbicide sprayer mentioned above, you can pick up a cheaper handheld version or spend a little extra on a broadcast spreader to fit the equipment that you’re using. I utilize a pull-behind broadcast spreader similar to the one pictured and it’s been a huge timesaver.
Drags
Utilizing a drag to cover up seeds after broadcasting is important and will be beneficial in creating good soil-to-seed contact. Be sure to know the proper planting methods of the seeds before planting. I failed to utilize a drag last fall on part of my plot (on purpose) and it made a huge difference in the quality of my food plot. You can supplement a store-bought drag my a home-made version, just make sure you utilize a good chain and it’s secured properly. A chain that breaks under tension can be deadly. I’ve seen people use box springs from old mattresses before with success, so be creative and enjoy the process!
Utilizing Fire
Prescribed fire is a phenomenal tool to help you improve the habitat on the landscape. Just use caution and do your homework before lighting a fire. Some of the unique tools that were recommended to help with creating a fire break include a backpack blower, metal rake, and a drip torch. A drip torch is much safer than trying to strike fire by other methods. Also, two-way radios are great to ensure consitent communication with your group because this isn’t a project that you should tackle alone.
Whether you own your own hunting ground, have a dream to own land, or hunt public, we can all benefit from gaining knowledge in habitat management, and the Land & Legacy podcast is a tremendous resource.
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