Controlled burns help turkey populations and other species of wildlife on your property
The two Caldwell Parish gobblers dancing at my decoy seemed destined to discover me before I could draw my bow. At less than 15 steps, I sensed they could hear my heart pounding, adding to my distress. Eventually the strutting bird would turn his back to me and obscure his opponent from being able to see me. The draw was quick and smooth. Ninety seconds later the strutting bird turned broadside, offering the shot I was waiting for. It took only a fraction of a second for the broadhead to find its mark at the short distance. Thirty seconds later it was over as I stood, boot on the neck of the first gobbler taken on this small piece of property since its purchase two years prior.
Thick and nasty
The day my father and I initially toured the property, we found one dimly lit logging road running away from the blacktop. Nothing had been done to the place for decades, and the 51 acres were full of small trees, vines and thick undergrowth, making it hard to walk in many areas. While we encountered a few deer and hog tracks, there wasn’t a single turkey track to be found. Still, it was easy to see the potential for turkeys. A large creek ran through the center of the property, lined with oak, sycamore and hackberry. On the ridges, large pines dominated with scattered mature oaks. I knew from experience it would take a ton of work, but I also knew where to begin looking for help.
The experts
My first call went to an old friend, Luke Lewis. With degrees in both forestry and biology, Lewis has served as assistant chief of wildlife management at Arkansas Game and Fish for the past five years. Prior to that, he spent time with both the National Wild Turkey Federation and Willamette National Forest. He’s a passionate turkey hunter who I knew would be able to help put together a solid game plan. His first suggestion was to thin the hardwood throughout the lower areas. Doing so would allow sunlight to reach the ground, causing an explosion of natural plants and grasses, something that would not only help wild turkeys, but all wildlife species using the property. Together, we mapped off three food plots ranging in size from ¼ an acre to 2 acres in size. These openings would provide a place for turkeys to feed, strut and feel safe from predators.
On advice from Lewis, I then reached out to Brittney Wells, Natural Resource Specialist for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Wells and her team spent several hours walking the property with me, explaining how some of their programs would be beneficial to me as a private land owner. On her suggestion, I decided to plant pollinators along the main entrance road, plant fruit trees around the pond and begin a prescribed fire rotation. I also did “hack and squirt” management, where young hardwood saplings are killed using a special herbicide. She made me feel comfortable about thinning some of the hardwood out, assuring me that the benefits would far outweigh the loss of a few trees.
Thin it out
Armed with a plan, I contracted a local logger to come in and take out most of the sweetgum, hackberry and elm. The thinning had an incredible impact on the habitat, starting with an explosion of native vegetation that grew up during the spring and summer. When Wells and her team visited again the following summer, they were excited to see the variety of plants, many of which had grown as high as our heads. It was amazing to see the amount of groceries now on the landscape.
Let it burn!
During my almost 20 years with the National Wild Turkey Federation, I learned the importance of prescribed fire for wild turkey habitat. In fact, I had been a part of countless controlled burns, and had a solid understanding of fire and how to safely use it. Because much of the property contained hardwoods, I studied research done by Dr. Craig Harper on how best to implement fire in my oaks. I learned to be sure to remove any debris from the base of the hardwoods and to time the burns during the late growing season in order to reduce the chance of damaging or killing trees.
The actual burning wouldn’t be easy. My property is bordered on one side by a highway that sees its fair share of traffic. I suspected that someone would call 911 to report a “wildfire,” but I wasn’t prepared for the amount of attention received.
With my burn permit in hand and signs on the roadside declaring “CONTROLLED BURN,” I set the first section alight. I had good firebreaks in place, my tractor and disc standing by, and my ATV loaded with a 50 gallon spray tank full of water.
About an hour into the burn all hell broke loose. I looked up to see the local fire truck, followed by two Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Department vehicles pull into the main drive. By the time I reached the fire truck, one of the deputies was already on his radio, telling the dispatcher that I was conducting a prescribed burn. After visiting for a few minutes, one of the volunteer firemen climbed behind the wheel of the truck, looked out the window and said, “Mr. Brown, you’re gonna have turkeys all over this place.” I assured him that was exactly what I was hoping for.
If you’re unfamiliar with conducting a controlled burn, I encourage you to get some training prior to doing one on your own. Contact the Louisiana Forestry Association or a private group like the Lincoln Parish Prescribed Burn Association.
First sightings
By the time February rolled around, I had yet to see any turkeys, nor catch any on my trail cameras. In fact, several mornings as I approached the entrance to my property, I would catch sight of turkeys across the road on my neighbor’s place. I wondered why the birds weren’t using my place, and continued to question my efforts, until one March morning when I pulled in at the gate only to witness four big gobblers strutting in my road. They were following closely behind a half dozen or more hens, making their way into the burned woods. It was now less than two weeks until opening day.
The benefits
Upland habitat improvement is beneficial to all species of wildlife in Louisiana. All it takes is some help from the experts, a good logger willing to carry out your plans and some serious sweat equity. The main tools used in creating my turkey hot spot were a chainsaw, a 30 horsepower Kubota tractor with small disc and grapple, along with a box of matches. Don’t be afraid of the fire. Treat it with respect and you’ll see the benefits of it quickly. This past spring I hunted 16 mornings on the 51 acres. I had only one trip where I didn’t hear at least one turkey gobble.
New gear
Winchester Super X Pump Long Beard camo shotgun
- Fiber-optic sights
- Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo
- Two interchangeable combs and height spacers
- 12 gauge 3 ½” with 24” barrel
- 12 gauge 3” with 24” barrel
- 20 gauge 3” with 24” barrel
SITKA Equinox Guard hoodie and pant
The Equinox Guard System helps prevent contact with insects in three ways: limited skin exposure, bite-reduction fabric and a built-in Insect Shield.
Apex GT-3 TSS 3-inch No. 9
Recently named as the best overall pattern by Outdoor Life, this Apex round may be the best designed turkey load ever. Available in 7 ½, 8 or 9 shot.
Woodhaven Cherry Classic Crystal
The most versatile of the Woodhaven Series of calls. Easy to use with a range of sounds.
Woodhaven Yellowhammer Call
Designed by Mike Pentecost, this hammer cut call is made of all premium prophylactic reed material. A light reed call that still produces rasp and volume.
Resources
Louisiana Forestry Association – laforestry.com
Natural Resources Conservation Service – arcs.usda.gov
Lewis Land Management Services – (318) 224-0077
Lincoln Parish Prescribed Burn Association – (318) 278-9482
