To mow or not to mow

have a tract of land in van Zandt county about 53 acres. half is thick bottoms with a creek that I will not disturb. the other half is a top shelf with native weeds and grass, spread out trees and briars. last year I mowed a couple of half acres spots and some really green coastal starting growing. what is there now is waste high and I really need a brush hog. do deer feed on coastal? figure about 4 hours on a hog could down about 7 or 8 acres. or should I just let it lay undisturbed. whats best for the deer. I have two feeders out throwing corn but really im just feedin pigs. don't have time or money for plots right now. any input would be appreiciated.

deer dont eat grass

Mow it. Cuts down on ticks and chiggers, and lets you see where you are stepping. Less chance of tripping or snake encounters. The deer are already used to tractors, they won't mind.

X2

I would mow and possibly even disk parts of it.

The light getting to the ground will allow a lot of forbs to grow that the deer prefer. We disk all of our roads as a dual purpose knock back the mesquites and thorny brush coming up and clean it up real good for fall growth. It will surprise you what grows that doesn't grow anywhere else after you knock all the grass down.

This

Mow! I see lots of tracks right after mowing. Deer are curious and will investigate a fresh cut field.

Deer enjoy the young and tender vegetation that usually results after a good mowing.

Mow it.

Brush hogging is great way to manage your property. Definitely mow down the briars. Next year if your not harvesting the coastal just mow it a few day before opening dove season it spreads the seed and makes it easier for the birds to get the seed. Also a good place to coyote call cause all the field mice will be out there.

mow it and throw out some native seeds that will do well in the area and provide cold weather forage.

This is rare, and a bit scary. We agree. Dang, gotta rethink my answer...

If you have to buy something anyway and have a decent sized tractor, you may consider a flail mower (with the hammers and not the Y knives. You'll have the place looking like paradise....