Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Plan for Next Season's Success

Dear Fellow Land Stewards,

As the whitetail rut peaks and gun season is in full swing, many of you are spending long hours in the woods chasing that trophy buck or filling your freezer. While the thrill of the hunt takes center stage, it’s also an important time to think ahead. The observations you’re making right now—about deer movement, bedding areas, and feeding patterns—can lay the foundation for next year’s habitat improvements and hunting success.

Why Plan Now?

1. Fresh Observations Lead to Better Decisions

The trails, rubs, scrapes, and bedding areas you’re noticing now are giving you a real-time snapshot of how deer are navigating your property. These fresh observations are invaluable for understanding travel patterns, bedding preferences, and where deer feel secure. Use this information to plan food plots, enhance bedding cover, and optimize travel corridors to set the stage for next season’s success.

2. Winter Prep = Spring Action

Winter is the ideal time for tackling timber stand improvement (TSI) projects and other habitat work. The lack of foliage allows you to clearly see the structure of your woods and make more informed decisions about which trees to remove or retain. This improved visibility also makes identifying invasive species easier.

Additionally, working in winter means no ticks, mosquitoes, or poison ivy to contend with—making the job safer and more enjoyable. The cooler temperatures also make running a chainsaw for long hours more feasible. One particularly effective winter task is targeting invasive species like Japanese honeysuckle. Because this vine remains green and active later into the winter while most native vegetation is dormant, you can use aerial spraying with glyphosate to eliminate it with minimal collateral damage to native species.

For more direct control of undesirable trees and invasive plants, my favorite hack-and-squirt or girdling cocktail is:

• 40 parts Garlon 4

• 50 parts water

• 10 parts Arsenal herbicide

When applying any herbicides, it’s critical to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure your safety. Always wear nitrile gloves to protect your skin from chemical exposure, and consider additional protection like safety glasses or goggles when working with herbicides. Taking these precautions allows you to safely and effectively manage your habitat.

Implementing these winter TSI practices not only boosts habitat quality but also sets the stage for a successful growing season ahead.

3. Take Advantage of Cost-Share Opportunities

Winter is also the perfect time to start exploring cost-share programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These programs provide financial and technical assistance to landowners for implementing conservation practices, making large-scale habitat improvements more affordable.

Eligible projects include:

• Native grass plantings to improve cover and forage for wildlife.

• Timber stand improvements to enhance forest health and structure.

• Pollinator habitat establishment to support vital insect species.

• Streamside buffers and erosion control to improve water quality and wildlife corridors.

In Tennessee, the application deadline for EQIP funding consideration is November 15, 2024. If you’ve already missed the deadline, don’t worry—now is still the perfect time to get the ball rolling. After all, let’s be honest: the government isn’t exactly known for moving quickly. But hey, with the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) and the appointment of Lee Zeldin to streamline processes, maybe we’ll see some progress…hopefully.

My Role as a Liaison
While I am not a USDA employee and it’s not my funding to distribute, I always take the time to do my homework. I speak with local NRCS personnel to inquire about high-priority funding pools and write my management plans in line with what the agency is looking for. My goal is to set every client up for success by aligning their projects with available resources.

I take great pride in being a liaison between landowners and their local NRCS offices. If you hire me for a consultation, I’ll pull every string I can to ensure your management plan is not only actionable but also optimized for funding opportunities.

Cost-share programs are not only a great way to offset expenses but also keep you accountable to implementing habitat improvements on a timeline—ensuring your project stays on track and delivers measurable results.

4. Don’t Miss the Big Picture

The rush of the season often keeps us focused on the here and now—finding scrapes, sitting over food plots, and chasing that big buck. But while you’re out there observing deer movement and habitat use, take a step back and think about the long-term potential of your property.

Documenting what you see now—where deer are bedding, feeding, and traveling—can serve as the foundation for a comprehensive management plan. These real-time insights are often the missing puzzle pieces that allow you to fine-tune habitat improvements.

Ask yourself:

• Are food sources in the right locations relative to bedding areas?

• Is there enough secure cover for does to raise fawns?

• Do your trails and openings direct deer where you want them?

• Are your stands placed strategically to intercept movement while minimizing disturbance?

• Do you have hunter access routes that allow you to get in and out undetected?

• Is there sufficient thermal or bedding cover for deer during extreme weather conditions?

These questions may spark ideas for projects like edge feathering, food plot redesign, or creating more thermal and bedding cover. When paired with a thoughtful strategy, even small changes can have big impacts over time.

Remember, habitat management is about more than hunting—it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem that benefits both the wildlife and the landowner. Taking the time now to reflect on the “big picture” will set you up for a property that continues to grow in value and productivity for years to come.

Introducing Whetstone Office Hours

Need help turning your observations into a plan?
I’m excited to announce Whetstone Office Hours, a new virtual consultation service designed to help landowners like you get personalized, expert advice. Whether you’re looking to optimize food plots, improve herd management, tackle timber stand improvements, or address invasive species control, this service will allow us to sit down and focus on the topics that matter most to you.

Looking for a thoughtful Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for the land stewards in your life? Whetstone Office Hours is a unique and meaningful way to share the gift of whitetail wisdom with friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Whether they’re seasoned hunters or new to land management, this service is designed to inspire and guide them in making the most of their property.

While we’re still putting the final touches on the scheduling process, I encourage you to keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks. Whetstone Office Hours will be an affordable and convenient way to get the answers you need to take your property to the next level.

Client Spotlight

Congratulations Jay, from Southern Indiana! What an incredible animal and stylish hat!

Call to Action

Don’t let another year pass without a plan. Start building your vision for next season today. Contact Whetstone Habitat to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.

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