Outreach Outdoors Christian Hunting Ministry

Hinge-cutting for Creating Browse

How to hinge-cut and create browse for whitetail deer...

Hinging creates a large amount of browse that deer absolutely need...

As always, detailed information on hinge-cutting can be found at this link: Hinge Cuts.

Hinge-Cutting for Whitetail Deer Browse

Many landowners spend all their time on food plots while ignoring the fact that whitetails are browsers and must have natural browse available at all times. Hinging is a great way to provide browse and bedding at the same time. Browse comes in two forms...first from the hinged tree top and stump itself and secondly from the new forage that springs up once sunlight is allowed in.

Blackberries and other regrowth came into this area after it was hinged four years ago...

In the summer, it looks like this...

Some species, such as honey locust, tend to die when hinged but the thorny mass does provide cover. Others, such as shingle oak, are more inclined to remain alive and though not a valuable food source, do provide dense bedding cover, as the leaves tend to remain on all winter. Each tree species reacts differently to hinge cutting. Mulberries tend to sprout back up with lots of quick re-growth from the stumps. Hackberries and shingle oaks tend to hinge easier than other trees, they seldom snap off. Each tree species and scenario will affect how a tree reacts to hinging. One thing you can bet on is that bringing the tree top down to the forest floor and allowing more light in will boost growth and improve your whitetail habitat. When looking at your overall management program, don’t forget about the browse, deer seek it!

The tender sprouts that shoot up from cut stumps provide a source of food and thick cover...

More sprouts for thick cover...

For more helpful information on hinge-cutting trees and how to perform hinge-cuts in your management program or if you have questions, click here. If the hinging trees thread doesn't help, register, and send Paul a personal message.