Secured the equipment needed to do the upgrades to the new property a couple weeks back and we got started right away. I thought I would keep y'all updated on the progress on here. The original plan was to make 3 - 4 one acre pools with drainage to the creek. Each pool location has a good opening in the canopy to allow sunlight in for crop growth and also to give the ducks a place to enter (my favorite part). We would start by planting Plot Screen by Frigid Forage along the roadside to keep everything hidden and to also make the ducks and other wildlife feel comfortable. We would plant a cover crop on the burms and trails to prevent erosion and finally we would plant Japanese millet and possible some smartweed in the areas that will flood. We will be able to pump water out of the nearby creek for irrigation and for flooding when the time is right. We will install PVC piping for drainage on the low ends with an upright skimmer to maintain desired water level. These skimmers will come off when I want to drain the pool.

 

Since this is my first time building habitat or growing any kind of food plot, any suggestions are welcome. We've progessed along pretty nicely in the past 2 weeks and I will show you that progress in the next couple posts.

 Here's some progress pictures of the tree clearing and grading

Man Josh, you guys aren't messing around. I have to ask, did you rent the bulldozer or did you buy it? I've been trying to find one to rent in my area with out much success. I have a bobcat and can take out smaller trees but I could do a lot with a bulldozer in a day or two. Also, how hard was it to get permits. Around here the DNR is pretty fussy when it comes to pumping or diverting water from a waterway. Thanks for the great photos etc. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

@jballard I'm actually trading the use of equipment from Rentco in Van Buren AR for some local advertising plus I'm making a video of the whole process that he can use. Yes, a bobcat would not even come close to handling this project. I was able to clear and grade in 2 1/2 days. Permits? :-) Lets just say I live in the south...I'll post more pics tomorrow. These were from a week ago. We've already got some growth on our Plot Screen

 

 I've been working with Rooney on this project and I must say it looks awesome.  I can't wait to see ducks dropping down through the trees! Just two months away!

 

Since my last post, we've basically just limed everything, planted our Plot Screen in a few areas and planted rye grass on all the burms and trails. We've been watering every couple of days which has really helped. 

 

 And just this morning we planted our Jap millet and Frigid Forage wildgame buffet. We left some areas unplanted to the ducks had a little landing hole when we flood it. Hoss even brought me a gift today! He's been making deer feeders and we're going to try out the first one on this property. He's making gravity and timered feeders. We'll let y'all know how they do. He's talking about making a few to sell as well. Hit me up if you're interested.

Awesome photos! Thanks for posting Josh!

Thanks Chris...glad you like it...more coming!