Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release

September 28, 2006

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856

Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Rabbit season opens Oct. 1

Red River Quail Symposium to focus on habitat management

Wildlife Department tractors, trucks and boats to be sold at auction

Upcoming Hunter Education Classes

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Rabbit season opens Oct. 1

As the mornings grow cooler and the days grow shorter, hunters across the state are anxious to head to the fields and to the woods. Just in time, rabbit season opens Oct. 1 across Oklahoma.

"Rabbit hunting is a lot of fun for young and old hunters alike. And it's a great opportunity to teach youngsters the basics of hunting and hunter safety," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The great thing about rabbit hunting is that you don't need a lot of equipment. Basically, all you need is a shotgun and a place to go."

Healthy cottontail rabbit populations can be found across the state, including many public-hunting areas. One of the best places to look for rabbits is anywhere two types of cover meet such as abandoned homesteads, tangled thickets and fencerows.

One of the best aspects about rabbit hunting is the availability of hunting locations. Many wildlife management areas scattered around the state offer first-rate rabbit hunting with minimal competition. Additionally, many landowners are willing to give permission to rabbit hunters.

Hunters are reminded that jackrabbits can only be taken west if I-35, and anyone hunting rabbits should pick up a copy of the "2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" to learn about license requirements, daily limits and all the other regulations pertaining to rabbit hunting.

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Red River Quail Symposium to focus on habitat management

Hunters and landowners who are interested in improving bobwhite quail habitat, or those who just enjoy pursing bobwhites should make plans to attend the Red River Quail Symposium slated Oct. 11-13, just south of Lawton near Wichita Falls, Texas.

The symposium is a great opportunity for landowners, managers and those who are interested in quail to gain a better understanding of quail and lease management, said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service wildlife specialist.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is partnering with Oklahoma State University and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to coordinate the conference.

"The symposium will provide them with information regarding quail leases, management of habitat, integration of quail management into cattle operations and cost-share programs," Elmore said.

Elmore said exhibitors will be on hand to showcase products and services related to agriculture and wildlife.

"We're very excited to be a part of this symposium. Participants will go home with a lot of valuable information and they'll be able to look at beneficial plants and discuss management actions with experts in the field," he said.

The first day of the event will take place in Henrietta, Texas, and include a tour of the Birdwell and Clark Ranch, as well as a presentation on management innovation. Wichita Falls, Texas, is the site activities on the second day. Topics up for discussion include grasses and grazing, brush management, economic impacts of hunting, incentives and resources for habitat management, state regulations, bag limits and quail cooperatives. The final day of the symposium takes place in Archer City, Texas, and includes a tour of the Harvey Ranch, along with presentations regarding supplemental feeding, habitat management, food plots, cost-shared conservation practices, hunter-covey interface and pricing a quail lease.

"This is a great chance for those interested in quail to interact directly with researchers and managers who work with bobwhites," Elmore said.

Registration is $75. Registration forms and payment may be mailed to Red River Quail Symposium, Texas Wildlife Association, 2800 NW Loop 410, Ste. 105, San Antonio, TX 78218. Registration forms may be downloaded at http://www.texas-wildlife.org.

For more information, contact Elmore at (405) 744-9636.

For more information about the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Wildlife Department tractors, trucks and boats to be sold at auction

In the market for a used boat? How about a used truck or an ATV? All these items will be sold at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's surplus auction Saturday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. at Lake Burtschi near Chickasha.

"We've got a little bit of everything at this sale including cameras computers, lawn mowers, tractors, vehicles and boats. I expect it will be one of our larger sales in recent years," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the first item will sell at 9:00. We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder."

More than 150 items will be available at the auction, including ATVs, boat motors and tires. For those looking for smaller items, there is also plenty to choose from including, office supplies, computer hardware, and much more.

"We encourage folks to attend because it's not only a chance to pick up some good buys, it's a chance to support the Wildlife Department through your auction purchases," Hill added.

For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600. Pictures and a complete list of auction items will be available at wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 9 a.m. at the Lake Burtschi Wildlife Department office, located 11 miles west of Chickasha on SH 92. Items may be inspected Oct. 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In case of rain, the sale will be held Oct. 8, same time and same place.

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UPCOMING HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES

Course locations are listed by town, followed by date, course location and time. If a phone number is listed, pre-registration is required. Courses are a minimum of 8 hours and are free. Students must pass an exam with a score of 70 percent. For updated information on upcoming courses, check our Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm

October

3: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800.

3: Hunter Education Home Study, ODWC Office, Jenks; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334.

4 & 5: Hunter Education: Blaine County fairground, Watonga; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. must attend both nights.

5: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888.

5 & 7: Hunter Education: Kiamichi Tech Center, Stigler; October 5 (6 p.m. - 10 p.m.) and October 7 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.).

6 & 7: Hunter Education: Murray County Expo Center, Sulphur; October 6 (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.) and October 7 (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.).

7: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888.

7: Hunter Education: High School Bldg. #7, Jenks;. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (918) 299-2334.

7: Hunter Education: Northeast Tech Center Main Campus (Hwy 20 between Claremore and Pryor), Claremore; . 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

7: Hunter Education: Tri County Tech Center, Bartlesville; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

7: Hunter Education: Community Center, Jay; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

7: Hunter Education: Creek County Fairgrounds (Hwy 33 & 66 Junction), Kellyville; 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

7: Hunter Education Home Study: Midwest City Library, Midwest City; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; (405) 732-4828.

7: Hunter Education: Community Center, Owasso. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (918) 299-2334.

7 & 8: Hunter Education: First Baptist Church, Piedmont; October 7 (9 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and October 8 (2 p.m. - 4 p.m.).

7 & 21: Hunter Education: Methodist Church, Colbert; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. both days.

9: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200

9, 10,12: Hunter Education: Bass Pro, Broken Arrow; 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; (918) 299-2334. Must attend all three nights.

10: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888.

12: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800.

12: Hunter Education Home Study, Tulsa Tech Center, Peoria Campus; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334.

12 & 14: Hunter Education: Northwest Tech Center, Fairview; October 12 (6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) and October 14

13 & 14: Hunter Education: Boswell High School, Boswell; October 13 (8 a.m. - 2 p.m.) and October 14 (8 a.m. - 11 a.m.).

14: Hunter Education: Kiamichi Tech Center, McAlester; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

14: Hunter Education: Gordon Cooper Tech Center; Shawnee; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (405) 521-4636.

14: Hunter Education: Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center, Choctaw; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (405) 390-9591.

14: Hunter Education: Wagoner Civic Center, Wagoner; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

14: Hunter Education: Zoo Education Center, OKC; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (405) 521-4636.

14: Hunter Education: Community Center (600 E Van Buren, Crescent

16: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200

17: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200

17: Hunter Education Home Study, ODWC Office, Jenks; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334.

17: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800.

17: Hunter Education Home Study, H & H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (405) 947-3888.

19: Hunter Education Home Study, Tulsa Tech Center, Peoria Campus; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OCTOBER

1-Jan. 15, 2007: Deer and Fall Turkey Archery Seasons. Be sure to consult the 2006-2007 Oklahoma Hunting Guide.

1: Cottontail, swamp and jackrabbit season begins (jackrabbit is open west of I-35 only). Consult the 2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide for complete details.

1, 5, 7, 8 & 12: Bugling Elk Tours at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Tours will take participants into the Refuge's Special Use Area during the height of the elk mating season. Tours will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Refuge headquarters located on the west side of the Refuge approx. six miles from the visitor center. Registration is required and a $3 fee will be collected. Registrations will start August 28 and can be made by calling (580) 429-3222 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

5: Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet at the Claremore Expo Building 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. There will be dinner, live auction, silent auction, and give-a-ways. Lots of fun for the ladies and kids as well.

6 & 7: Project WILD for college credit at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Class runs from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information or to enroll call Dr. Kay Frank at (918) 456-0116.

7: Aquatic Education Clinic at Wildhorse Pond, Mustang Parks and Rec. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Mustang Parks Department at (405) 376-3411.

7 & 14: Project WILD for college credit at Tulsa Community College (West Campus), Tulsa. Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information or to enroll call (918) 595-8126.

7: Red Dirt Dutch Oven Cook-Off at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. The program starts at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Cast iron cooking competition held at Crow's Corral. There are divisions for kids under age 16, novice, and experienced. Categories are meats, vegetables, breads and desserts. Contact Julie Tarver at (405) 321-4633 for registration and entry fees.

For a complete listing of upcoming outdoor activities and events, go to wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar.

FISHING REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2006

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Channel catfish are being caught on cut shad and liver. Crappie are being caught on red and white jigs at 14 ft. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: White bass are being caught on spinners and jigs around dam and off points. Channel catfish slow on cut bait and shrimp. Crappie are being caught on jigs and minnows around docks. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

Thunderbird: Elevation 7 ft. below normal and clear. Channel catfish good in the late evening and night on stinkbait and cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 7-10 ft. on structure. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 5-5 1/2 ft. below normal, water 71-85 and murky. Catfish fair to good on fresh cut bait, minnows, chicken livers, goldfish and stinkbait around dam tower and in deeper water around feeder creeks, Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure and brush piles. White bass fair. Largemouth bass fair on light colored spinnerbaits in shallow water and fair to good on Carolina and Texas rigging along roadbed and main lake channel and around railroad structure at 8-10 ft. Bass are also being caught on topwaters around weed beds and grassy areas in the early morning and evening. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal, water 71. Largemouth bass slow on lizards and cut bait at 14-16 ft, around the dam and channels. Crappie slow on minnows at 12-14 ft. around structures. White bass are schooling and are good trolling off points. All boat ramps are open. Report submitted by Ronnie Arganbright, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Channel catfish fair on live shad off rocky shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs around deep brush piles. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Eucha: Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water 61 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation below normal, water 84. White bass good trolling points and flats. Channel catfish good on cut bait and shad, Crappie good at 10-15 ft. suspended around structure. Report submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner and Muskogee counties.

Grand: Elevation below normal and clear. Channel catfish fair on juglines at 15 ft. on cut or whole shad and in main river channel using shad. White bass starting to pick up around gravel points using spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits and topwater lures, Channel catfish fair on bottom with cut bait and worms. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: Elevation normal and clear. All fishing slow, Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in

Kaw: Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Crappie fair around brush piles at 16-22 ft. on minnows. Blue catfish fair on juglines baited with shad and sunfish around Washunga Bay. Tailwaters are poor. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Keystone: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 70 and clear to murky. Largemouth bass fair on topwaters and spinnerbaits from the surface to 6 ft. in creeks and coves. Smallmouth bass fair on jigs and crankbaits at 5-10 ft. in mouths of deep coves. Spotted bass fair on topwaters and crankbaits from the surface to 8 ft. off main lake points and bluffs. White bass fair on spoons and rooster tails at 4-8 ft. off windy points. Striped bass below the dam are fair on topwaters and bucktails from the surface to 4 ft. Striped bass in the lake fair on live shad and big swim baits at 10-15 ft. off main lake points. Channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbaits at 4-8 ft. in coves and creeks. Blue catfish fair on punch baits and shad at 6-12 ft. in the flats off the river channel. Flathead catfish fair on goldfish and live shad at 10-15 ft. off deep points, Crappie fair on chartreuse jigs and minnows at 6-15 ft. around brush piles and off ledges. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 15 ft. White bass good on jigs fishing main lake points at 5-10 ft. Blue and channel catfish fair on shad around standing timber on north end of the lake. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation 9 3/4 ft. below normal, water 71 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 8-15 ft. and in deeper water above structure on crankbaits. Crappie good on small to medium minnows at 10-20 ft. in creeks, and around structures. Striped bass hybrids fair, on points and in creeks, early morning and late evening, on shad, very large minnows and pearl white sassy shad. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits with rogues. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with large minnows or sunfish at lower end of lake, on rod and reel, try the flats and creeks at upper end of lake. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Spavinaw: Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 65 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on topwater early morning and late evening. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 74 and clear. Largemouth bass slow with some action shallow on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie fair around docks on minnows at 15-20 ft. White bass fair on the flats or shallow points on spoons, spinners or small jigs. Sunfish good on worms around docks or along the bluffs. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky, Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and salt craws along riprap and in creek channels. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 5 ft. below normal. White bass, striped bass hybrids and walleye fair drifting shad and slabs. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 75 and clear. Crappie good on brush piles. White bass slow. Largemouth bass fair using topwaters at dusk and dawn and small worms off points at 12 ft. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 70 and clear. Catfish fair on liver and dough baits. Bass fair on minnows and flies. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Elevation 5-6 ft. below normal and falling. Largemouth bass and spotted bass fair schooling early mornings and late evenings in the mouths of creeks chasing shad. Crappie fair around brush piles and structure with minnows or jigs. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 4 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 4-6 ft. off points. White bass good on slab spoons at 8-15 ft. on the flats. Blue catfish fair on shad at 10-20 ft. drifting the flats. Crappie fair on jigs or minnows at 8-20 ft. in standing timber and boat docks. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 84 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Blue catfish fair on stinkbait. Crappie fair on minnows. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 81 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures at 10-20 ft. around rocky points. Crappie fair on minnows at 10-20 ft. around cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fair on copper john, various soft hackles, wooly buggers, colorful streamers, grasshoppers and ants. The power house could release water at any time, no matter what the published schedule happens to be. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

Pine Creek: Elevation normal and clear. Bass excellent on pumpkin seed baby brush hawgs around rocky points. Crappie fair on minnows around submerged timber. Catfish are good on cut shad and night crawlers on yo-yos and pole and line. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 72 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 4-6 ft. using spinnerbaits and plastic baits fishing the weed, rock and woody cover next to deeper water. Crappie fair at 10ft. on minnows fishing the old creek channels of Big Sans Bois, Sallisaw and Dirty creeks. White bass fair at 10 ft. using jigs fishing below Webbers Falls and Kerr dams. Flathead catfish fair at 20 ft. using live bait on trotlines and juglines fishing in the old river and creek channels. Blue catfish good at 10-15 ft. using fresh cut shad drift fishing the old channels. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Crappie good along structure on minnows and jigs and off bridges. Largemouth bass fair on shallow running crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 83 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on plastic baits at 10-20 ft. in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair on sassy shad, slabs and live bait at 10-20 ft. at Washita point and near the islands. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut baits at 10-20 ft. at Washita Point and Platter Flats. Crappie and sunfish fair on minnows and worms at 5-15 ft. around fish attractors. Boaters should still use caution while operating on the lake. The elevation has come up a few inches and many objects are still only covered with a few inches of water. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 1 ft. below normal but rising, water 72. Blue catfish good in the rising creeks on shad or cut bait. Largemouth bass good on jig and pig worked around points. All other fishing slow this week. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer and LeFlore counties.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 33 ft. below normal. Lake level is rising. Walleye and striped bass hybrids have slowed. White bass are being caught daily. Catfish are also still biting. The main boat ramp is exposed above the waterline. Use caution when driving over the wet sand to launch small boats. Large boats NOT recommended. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery.

Ellsworth: Elevation 13 ft. below normal and murky. Blue catfish good on juglines baited with live bait. Crappie fair in flooded timber at 12-15 ft. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 76 and clear, White bass, striped bass hybrids and catfish fair. Walleye and saugeye slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

[BrandonB]

Hi, 

I own a 220 acre cattle farm and I'm wanting to plant a few pockets of conifers (cedars/pines) with switchgrass to draw out deer into an old hay field. Does anyone have any recommendations for the type of trees to plant?

Thanks,

Brandon

[Dutch]

If you don’t have cedars don’t plant them.  They spread like wildfire.  We have a constant battle with them.  Those little berries are seed cones.  Birds eat them then poop and wallah you have more crdars where you don’t want them.

[tjm]

I second the "don't plant cedars".  But I have question, why do you think deer will be attracted to the conifers? I never see them around cedars or pines in my neighborhood unless they are just passing through. I'd suggest a corn patch or green beans, and if the deer don't come (they will) you'll have stuff to eat.

[jdmidwest]

Deer tend to bed in pines in the hills and turkeys will roost in them during winter.  Not sure if needles all year give them more cover, but they gravitate to them.  Pine needle in thickets keep ground cover down so deer my use that for vision while bedding.  Doubt it would be useful in fields.

Cedar is pretty useless except for birds to roost in.

Assuming you are in Mo., MDC has private land guys that can help you return your fields to better manage wildlife.  Give them a shot.

[MrGiggles]

I agree, pass on the cedars.

Plant some type of forage, beans, corn, winter wheat, whatever. and let some pockets grow into CRP. Deer love that stuff.

[Dutch]

My grandson has put in a food plot that is less than an acre at the edge of some timber.  His cameras have shown lots of deer and turkeys using it.  This is its first year and he and his wife took a couple of good bucks in it and saw several others.

[Johnsfolly]

1 hour ago, jdmidwest said:

Deer tend to bed in pines in the hills and turkeys will roost in them during winter.  Not sure if needles all year give them more cover, but they gravitate to them.

Provides a great wind break and minimal snow cover usually. Anytime that I am out in snow storm, I can feel the difference in temp and wind in pines.

[Johnsfolly]

28 minutes ago, Dutch said:

My grandson has put in a food plot that is less than an acre at the edge of some timber.  His cameras have shown lots of deer and turkeys using it.  This is its first year and he and his wife took a couple of good bucks in it and saw several others.

Congrats to the two of them! Always nice to see the reward of their hard work.