Hi Tor

[LET EM GROW]

Anybody else notice that the DEC crew in Naples, Planted a lot of the fallow fields in "Hi Tor" into Corn this year? I noticed they started mowing some of them last year, and the year before partially. I wasn't sure if it was a local farmer or the state at first, until the fields were planted and i saw the brand new looking planter sitting in their Naples Station on RTE 245. 

I always wondered why they hadn't let farmers plant these fields, off a lottery system of some sort. Along with a set of rules and regulations to follow.

Sorry if i spoiled it for anyone lol, Just thought it was neat to see some positive things the state may be trying..   Depending how, if and or when it gets harvested, Could make some much better hunting. 

[WNYBuckHunter]

There are alot of state lands that get farmed by local farmers. One of them near me told me how the process works, but I dont remember exactly anymore. I know that the DEC tells them what years they can plant, etc. I didnt know the actual DEC did any farming of the land, maybe the farmer just had it parked there for some reason.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Locally here, farmers would work the field, plant the crop, then harvest two thirds of it, leaving a third for the wildlife. Don't see it much around these parts anymore though. It was more popular when the smaller farms were in business. Bigger operations don't want to mess around with it today. I believe both state and federal lands did it.

Edited June 7, 2018 by landtracdeerhunter

[LET EM GROW]

WNYBH That makes sense.. Would be curious to hear of the rules they have to abide by. Regardless of whom, they should do it on more vacant state owned fields. The tractor that was used wasparked there also, then once planted the planter sat there. Ill look today on my way through again. 

Land, that is a great idea leaving some crop standing for wildlife. Even better if the state supplied the seed i suppose.    

[Swamp_bucks]

I wish they did stuff like that near me.   There is alot of stateland with very little feed for any type of animal. Ive always said log out a couple acre pieces bring in a dozer and clean it up and let the farmers take care of it or volunteers and or take care of the fields that have no real value.Just set up a rule you cant sit on it or within x amount of yards from it so you dont have 10 guys sitting on the same open field.  

[landtracdeerhunter]

I believe these programs are related to the New York State  Conservation Partnership Program. It's on the DEC website. Grant money is available if one meets the guide lines.

[WNYBuckHunter]

3 hours ago, Bill Schmidt said:

Quickly to add here-- some of the fields at Stewart State Forest are absolutely huge! If even 10 percent were left for pheasants,deer, and turkeys-- that would be great.   The only time , I saw anything left up was last Fall. Maybe 10 rows of corn plants. The corn in this area was really small though and in a muddy area. Pretty sure it was taken down later in season.

The fields are rotated out around here. They are planted for a couple of years and then left fallow for a few years. It creates all kinds of great habitat for different game. Now if they would just do selective logging as well, they might have a fairly good program going, and the land would be great for hunting (not that its currently horrible).

[philoshop]

A lot of it is just about keeping 'open' fields open rather than letting them become copses of briers and such. One spot I hunt is planted and harvested by Amish and Mennonite farmers. As a general rule they wouldn't pay the state to work that land. The DEC guy I talked to many years ago said it was to keep some portions of the property more open for various wildlife. Cheaper than having the state do it as it costs them nothing to have someone else do it.

The state also allows free firewood cutting in certain areas, but the regulations are extremely strenuous. For example, the firewood cannot be sold, it must be for personal use only, and if you trample a sapling while getting away from a mature falling tree you can be fined. You're not allowed to clear escape paths for the saw-man doing the felling. That's both dangerous and ignorant. I don't know any wood-burner who's ever participated in that particular firewood program. There is a lot of state land that could benefit from a bit of thinning with regard to mature trees, and there are a lot of people who could use the wood.

[LET EM GROW]

Of course, save the state money and let others do it. They also release pheasants every fall here and people line up the fields soon as season opens.

245 is a deer highway, I can only imagine it this summer/fall when they are really using it. excited to see some rut action on my early morning drives, but not the accidents. Last year they planted oats, and possibly wheat in 2 of the fields. 

Some timber management would do wonders as well. I agree. If they took better care of the state lands, I would consider deer hunting some of them again. I know of a few places that do good each year, only because there are some certain "producing trees" in the middle of nowhere. and i dont think anyone else knows it lol