Clear cutting/Hinge cutting

Interest in creating a new food source via food plots on your land has obvious benefits, but many people fail to consider the advantage of providing more whitetail cover or bedding areas rather than nutrition. If we think in terms of a deers primary needs, food, shelter and water, working towards this goal in addition to your food plot efforts helps to fill another of those needs.

Several options will work well if this is your goal, but clear cutting or hinge cutting is an excellent way to show quick results.  Any area with small to midsize tree growth can be utilized for this type of project.  A chain saw and possibly an extra person to assist you is about the only equipment you will need.

The primary goal of hinge or clear cutting is to remove the upper level canopy that tree tops create.  In doing so, low level growth occurs as you provide sunlight to areas that used to be shaded. 

Clear cutting is simply removing trees in an area.  Leaving them lie helps to provide cover by creating deadfalls, and often times, trees will sprout bushy growth from the stump after they are cut.

Hinge cutting is the process of cutting a tree 2/3 to 3/4 of they way through and then tipping it so it remains partially intact.  Often times trees cut this way will not die and continue to grow new branches even  though the trunk is lying vertical.  This can provide excellent cover especially if they can be dropped directionally to funnel deer or create a small sanctuary.

Trees cut in both of these ways can sprout 6 feet or more a year in new, low lying, bushy growth.  The additional sun light at low levels creates new browse as well as cover.

A word of caution...if you attempt hinge cutting be careful while the tree is falling, as the hinged area sometimes "pops" up and can be dangerous.