Does anyone hinge cut trees?

[buckcrazy]

I was reading an article on QDMA Forums about hinge cutting and it seems alot of those northern guys hinge cut for gaining thick areas for bedding and travel routes. I actually have a spot I wouldnt mind "making thicker" but all around me is cutovers and dont know if it would really help a whole lot as there are thick areas everywhere for them to bed down. I think hinge cutting is more for the northern more open woods than down here in the south where thick really isnt as much as an issue.

 

[Yellow Lab]

I have been hunting in Pike County Illinois the last nine years. Creating more bedding and thickets is needed in many places up north.

IMO - I don't think we have that problem in Mississippi.

 

[FireCloud]

On my land, enough storms create "blow downs" that serve as great wildlife cover so that I don't have to cut any trees for that purpose. Unless they are in a bad location, I just leave them. The deer and other wildlife are attracted to them.

I also pile up brush and tree tops and just leave them in a good spot when I do clear a trail or small open area. Those things are magnets for all sorts of wildlife, particularly birds, chipmunks, snakes, and other small animals. Once those type critters become prevalent, they attract other animals higher up the food chain who also visit the area, such as fox, hawks, and similar predators.

I personally believe when you have a woodland with a diversity of animals in sufficient numbers, ALL species will choose to live there. For whatever reason, deer seem to not like to live in an area devoid of other wildlife.

 

[lugnutzz]

hinge cutting is just how you cut the tree down, correct? do it by cutting a v notch in tree and then plunging into the tree and cutting out, so the hinge guides the tree down and doesnt splinter up the side as bad.

 

[buckcrazy]

From what I've learned its a form of creating cover that deer will use as travel and bedding areas. You straight cut or angle cut (some say dont angle, its too dangerous) and cut through until the tree falls or is pushed over. You dont cut all the way through the tree because if their is enough left connecting the tree to the stump the tree will still sprout and grow new leaves and branches which in turns creates more cover. Some biologist and habitat gurus frown upon it though from what i hear. You cant just run out with a chainsaw and start wacking trees right and left. Their has to be a purpose or a strategy. Most of the guys I hear doing it have had a forester or a biolgist help them determine where to go about doing it.
But thats just what i hear.....