Chainsaws
& Big Bucks
Better Timber, Bigger Bucks
You have a beautiful woodland that, in theory, should be crawling with bucks. It should be a thriving haven for wildlife of all kinds, but it’s not. Surprisingly, a probable reason for this is that you have too many trees that have reached maturity. The dense canopy created by these large trees shades the forest floor, preventing the growth of underbrush and forage plants that wildlife needs for food and security.
Hillcrest Lumber can help you restore balance to your land by harvesting and purchasing your mature timber. By selectively clearing designated areas, we allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting the growth of vital undergrowth that transforms your property into a haven for whitetails and other wildlife.
If you’re within 150 miles of Apple Creek, Hillcrest Lumber is ready to evaluate your timber and provide solutions tailored to your property.
Our Plans
- Free Timber & Deer Habitat Evaluation Plan
FREE
for up to 150 acres
- Receive a custom timber report designed to align with your wildlife and land management goals.
- Timber Evaluation with Whitetail Property Consultation and Management Plan
$1,500
for up to 150 acres
- Mark food plots, hunting spots, and other key features with expert guidance.
- Get a detailed map of your property that integrates timber and habitat recommendations.
- Receive a comprehensive timber evaluation and custom report tailored to your goals.
For larger properties, contact us for a personalized quote.
Start Planning Your Whitetail Food Plot
Every property holds unique potential, from creek bottoms to hilltops, each landscape shaping a hunter’s paradise. By planting the right crops for every season, you’ll keep deer healthy, close, and predictable year-round.
Design a Whitetail Habitat Deer Can’t Resist
Food plots attract deer, but a complete habitat keeps them coming back. Water, cover, safe travel routes, and security all play a role in turning your land into a reliable home base. Learn how to shape your property into a whitetail haven that delivers season after season.
How Can Hillcrest Lumber Help?
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Establishing Authority in Food Plots
Hillcrest Lumber is your trusted partner in timber and wildlife habitat management. With years of experience in forestry and a deep understanding of whitetail behavior, we provide strategic solutions to enhance your property’s appeal to wildlife. -
Strategic Tree Removal for Food Plots
One of the first steps to creating successful food plots is ensuring proper sunlight. We specialize in selective timber harvesting, removing overgrown or mature trees that block light from reaching the forest floor. This encourages the growth of food plot crops and native underbrush, creating a sustainable whitetail habitat.
Whitetail Habitat Designs Partnership
Through our partnership with Whitetail Habitat Designs, Hillcrest Lumber offers a complete, step-by-step plan to make your land perfect for whitetails. We focus on creating a balanced ecosystem that combines food, water, and cover to attract and sustain wildlife. By strategically removing large standing timber and incorporating habitat necessities, your property will become the ideal hunting ground for trophy bucks.
Whitetail Habitat Essentials
- Food plots provide year-round nutrition and attract deer to specific areas of your property.
- Water holes offer accessible hydration for deer and other wildlife.
- Licking branches promote natural deer behavior and movement.
- Travel corridors ensure safe pathways for deer to move through your property.
- Screening creates natural barriers to privacy and security.
- Security covers provide a safe environment that encourages deer to stay on your land.
How to Plan for a Whitetail Food Plot
The success of a food plot starts with its location. Hunters should prioritize places that allow for easy access and create a natural movement path for deer. Here are some ideal settings:
- Easy access for the hunter: Placing the food plot in an area that’s easily reachable is crucial. Ensure you can get in and out with minimal disturbance, especially during prime hunting hours
- On the edges of wooded areas: Transition zones between open fields and forest provide the security deer need while grazing.
- Slight elevations: Placing plots on gentle hills allows better drainage and prevents water pooling, which could damage crops.
- Linear plots are long, narrow plots that work well for creating travel corridors.
- Hourglass plots focus deer activity in the center, perfect for hunting setups.
- Irregular shapes mimicking natural clearings provides a more inviting environment for deer.
Food plot size depends on your property and goals:
- For small properties, plots as small as 1/4 acre can attract deer when strategically placed.
- Larger properties benefit from multiple plots, each ranging from 1 to 3 acres, which ensures adequate forage for the deer population.
The best crops depend on the season and your specific goals:
- In the spring and summer plant high-protein crops like clover, alfalfa, and soybeans to support antler growth and fawn development.
- In the fall and winter, choose grains like corn, wheat, and oats for energy-rich forage that sustains deer through colder months.
- Perennial crops like chicory and clover provide consistent forage, while annuals like turnips and brassicas create diversity and attract deer seasonally.
Steps Towards Bigger Bucks
1. Pick a Plan
From our three options, pick the perfect plan that aligns with your preferences, land, and budget.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
We’ll assess your property and provide a customized plan of action based on your chosen option and land management needs.
3. Score a Trophy Buck
Whether you decide to carry the plan out on your own or you hire Hillcrest Lumber and Whitetail Habitat Designs to execute it, your woodland will become a haven for bigger bucks and lots of them.
