Should I try to control bush honeysuckle on the 24 acres where I hunt?

By Grant Woods, 12/14/2015

Question

I got permission on a 24 acre property with a good portion of timber with a creek running through it. The area is surrounded and connected to large tracks of timber and some ag fields. My question is about bush honeysuckle. All the timber is completely choked with honeysuckle to the point that you have to crawl to get through it. I have a feeling that I need to get rid of it all before I can even create a set up for deer. Other than the honeysuckle the ground is baren only leaf matter. Very few deer use that area I have only seen 2 which blows my mind because I’m in northern illinois. And deer are everywhere. Thanks for your time.

Douglas,

Bush honeysuckle is very invasive! I’ve noticed deer tend to avoid areas where it dominates the landscape.

I suggest you do try to remove/control this invasive species. Check out the following link for more information.

http://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/problem-plants-and-animals/invasive-plants/bush-honeysuckles-control

Enjoy creation,

grant

December 14, 2015