Has anybody else noticed that most marsh bedding points are ash trees? They seem to grow good in wet areas mixed with water and cattails. Anywho, the ash trees are dying at an alarming rate by me cause of an infestation of emerald ash borer bugs. Its hard to find any that have survived.
So, what Im noticing is that the normal early season bedding points that held bucks previous years are not holding bucks now, and I believe that's cause all the trees are dead and there is no leaf cover. If a buck laid out there he would be in direct sunlight. Kinda enforces why all my ash tree bedding points are only hot in early season...
Im seeing the bucks either bedding up a lot higher into the next tree species, or down in dogwood patches. I think the Emerald ash borers are going to significantly alter buck bedding.
Thoughts? Observations?
Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
I don't have marshes to hunt, but all the ash are dead here, too. I've lost alot of my go to stand trees because of it.
I know deer eat ash saplings and leaves they can reach. So maybe it's a little of both; loss of cover and food.
I know deer eat ash saplings and leaves they can reach. So maybe it's a little of both; loss of cover and food.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
Good observation. I have noticed a lot of ash trees dying too and will pay more attention to how it affects things.
I have noticed a few in areas I hunt on islands have been girdle cut I assume to kill them off.
I have noticed a few in areas I hunt on islands have been girdle cut I assume to kill them off.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
Here in Kentucky, the Ash trees have been decimated by the EAB for a number of years. There is no stopping them.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
Haven't hit my areas yet but I know they are around that is for sure.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
Here is some good info.
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab/survey/eab_handout.pdf
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab/survey/eab_handout.pdf
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
In one area I hunt sometimes, they cut a bunch of ash trees down and let them lie. I know they probably would have harvested the wood but I don't think they could get any equipment back to get them out due to the soft ground.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
The ash trees in my area were decimated roughly from 2008-2012. Most long dead now, the areas I hunt saw a boom in under story growth from all the extra sunlight due to the lack of a canopy. Those areas now are very thick, still a sad situation but it greatly increase deer numbers on those properties.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
No big marshes to hunt here but the Ash trees have really been hit hard here in Ohio the last few years.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
Ash tree population has more or less been completely eradicated here in my part of SE Michigan. A lot of the hardwood lots have a ton of 'widowmakers' in them now. The plus side is I have seen deer bed down near the deadfall in woodlots - similar to hinge cut trees. Can't really comment on the marshes.
I hate to say it but if the ash borer is already there killing trees it's already too late.
I hate to say it but if the ash borer is already there killing trees it's already too late.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
Almost all mature ash trees are long since dead in MI. I have noticed a ton of ash saplings growing well so hopefully that will continue and produce more cover.
Hopefully the borer doesn't decimate the future trees again.
Hopefully the borer doesn't decimate the future trees again.
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Re: Ash trees altering marsh bedding...
dan wrote:Has anybody else noticed that most marsh bedding points are ash trees? They seem to grow good in wet areas mixed with water and cattails. Anywho, the ash trees are dying at an alarming rate by me cause of an infestation of emerald ash borer bugs. Its hard to find any that have survived.
So, what Im noticing is that the normal early season bedding points that held bucks previous years are not holding bucks now, andI believe that's cause all the trees are dead and there is no leaf cover. If a buck laid out there he would be in direct sunlight. Kinda enforces why all my ash tree bedding points are only hot in early season...
Im seeing the bucks either bedding up a lot higher into the next tree species, or down in dogwood patches. I think the Emerald ash borers are going to significantly alter buck bedding.
Thoughts? Observations?
Thats a real impressive observation Dan! Thats awesome Based on what iv learned form you and see my self - that would most definitely cause some type of change.
My question would then be what about colder weather then instead of early season? Although, one thing that amazes me is these guys finding bean field beds in sunlight...when its warm out?! Even alot of CRP beds iv found have some type of base that creates little shade. Not always of coarse but iv also learned from others to target clear cuts in later season bc the back cover acting as a wall for cold winds but the sunlight helps warm them.
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