I have 160 acres in the pan handle which holds about 10 deer. We feed corn most of the year to pull in additional deer from adjoining properties.
We see a lot of different bucks through the end of september however When archery opens we see very few deer until the middle of November. I believe it is the presence of Oak trees on the outlying ranches.

I am considering planting some oaks or fruit trees to help keep the deer on my property. I know this is a long term propostion and I wondering if any one has done this, what they planted and if they had any success.

Haven't personally done this, but it will attract them. They all love to eat

i have been looking into this and think i am going to try some dunstan chestnut trees and some persimmon trees. my place is covered in oaks and the deer seem to eat from every one of them, i read they may prefer chestnuts over acorns so i am gonna give it a try.

u put any food plot's out?

Oak trees....sawtooth oaks at that....dnt mess with fruit...you will have every critter in the county there when they start producing.... food plots would be an easier fix to what you want to do....but its always good to add a tree when you can

Yes and they failed do to the drought. I'm thinking if I planted a grove of Oaks I could water this limited area periodically in spite of the dry conditions.

Wild Plums are good, provide cover too, used by deer ,quail and many other species. I have planted wild plums, many types of trees.
If you go with oaks, be ready for the "long haul" they will need care the 1st few years. Most trees will need some care the 1st year. I would definitely find out what will survive in your area with that particular climate.

Might try here for a few tree , pretty good $ for seedlings too.
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1165

I would also have the local Ag agent out if it was me, it is free and they will know what should do well in your county.

The turn around will be a great thing if they grow well....but your gona be waiting a good while for that to happen.... you could always go with a foodplot in a can.... Protein

u said your neighbors all have oaks, you could do some oaks but i would also mix in something different, if its about holding and attracting you wanna try to give them something your neighbors arent.

yep, some of the nurseries say there trees will produce within 2-4 years, and thats best case scenario, u may look into protein or for a cheaper alternative just some livestock sweet feed as something new and different to hold them.

Whatever you plant it needs to be adaptable to your soils and rainfall amounts or lack of it. If I planted anything I would protect it from deer and rabbits. Watering it to establish a root base would be needed the first few years. I would also talk to County Extension agent about varities of mast or fruit producing trees/shrubs for your area. Look for those that will produce sooner at younger ages also.
A fall food plot of wheat and oats can hold deer also in some areas. Same with spring/summer food plots used along with fall plots. Make the deer want to stay on your land.

I would try to plant whatever you can and maintain whatever brush you may have in the center of the property then hunt the outskirts.

Small pokets of dense undisrupted cover will hold deer. If you give them everything they need the wont wonder till the rut.

I would go with the oak trees vs. fruit trees. They put out much more nutrition than a fruit tree would. They also drop during the season. As already stated - Food plot is a good choice too.

JR

sounds like a great idea but will deff be a long term thing here

Your going to have a hard time with oaks in the panhandle. Shin oak are native and do well in pockets of sand. Anything else is going to be a major pain and will probably fail. Your better off with food plots.

Ill say this. We have property in duval county. We wanted to try to plant some trees both for the animals and shade etc. around camp.

The ONLY trees we have gotten to grow are live oaks. We have planted several other types of oaks, elms, pecan and none have even tried to make it.

I have planted thousands of trees (pine, oak, nut, fruit) on my properties (mostly minnesota, but here in texas & canada) and UNLESS you are devoted to take care of them over the next 10 years the survival rate will be nil. Between the mice & rabbits girteling young trees, deer chewing & rubbing, bad soil conditions, or worse of all, the natural elements & weather conditions a new tree has slim pickens'. You have to ask yourself-- Why are there not oaks growing & producing on this location already naturally? Because of conditions of the site?

You can try planting a limited number of trees that you can care for & water properly, and that might make a difference in the future. And that will give you a reason to spend time outdoors & give you a sense of pride /accomplishment helping them grow.

But don't waste 'ur money on trees unless you take care of them with a green thumb. I agree with the posts above on plots.

From what I have been told by the tree nursery/farms is that if you use the tree sleeve or tube when planting seedlings to protect them, you will get a higher survival and success rate. Those tubes keep all animals off the tree till it gets tall enough to grow out of the top. Still can't forget location and rainfall though.

"Ur right, Ranchman. Without the tree tubes the rodents destroy new trees by chewing the bark. But I have also found, that these tubes create a "micro-climate" inside them, and have a tendancy to "bake" the young tree as well. Also, if growing in a area with cold freezes & thaws, this micro-climate starts the tree budding sometimes too early, & then another freeze comes.....

Plus, these tubes still need maintenance as they get rubbed by deer, tree outgrows them, sun cracks 'em ect.

Did I forget to mention what gophers do to new trees?

why not put very small holes in the tubes and chicken wire around the tree to keep deer/cattle etc off of them until they grab roots?

I have a 3pnt connection that can take care of golfers if you are interested lol

but if we kill all the golfers.....

lol didnt catch that....i dnt think anyone will miss golf anyway...

i never miss an oppurtunity to inject some caddyshack humor