Hinge Cutting

[Billdogge]

Some question

 

What's the best time to hing cut?

What are the best trees to hing cut? (for feeding)

 

Thanks

Bill

[G-Man]

Red maple, oak, any time now is good deer will eat all the bud within reach

[kpkot]

Usually I would hinge cut when trees are dormant during winter. At this rate I wonder if trees will go dormant at all. I heard down south cherry trees were blossoming already.

[dbHunterNY]

if it's really cold I've had trees pop and break.  I do prefer to hinge cut when the trees are dormant and so it's there when the deer need it which will be January into spring green up.  still learning with this but there's preferred browse versus non-preferred browse.  also trees that say as a log split easily don't do well as they break completely.  you want to have at least a 1/3 or more of the tree at the cut still attached so it will continue to grow.  stuff like ash and poplar will be difficult.  also your preferred trees will be red and soft/sugar maples and oaks.  moderately preferred trees will be hemlocks, cherry, and some apple.  then there's much less desired trees like beech.  deer will eat what's available and they need.  obviously some are more of a preferred $ tree for logging and fire wood but many times you can find some that aren't straight to make a nice lumber/logged tree in the future.  also if you make it a point to cut a mixture of trees based on preference you can tell just how much it was needed and/or that you have too many deer for the habitat to support well.  if say the lesser number of beech don't get browsed then you're looking good habitat wise.  if they still get hammered than that should be a red flag.  disregarding hunting layout and strategy, try to hinge near ideal winter yarding or bedding so the deer don't have to relocate or travel more than needed.