[Samuel]

So I have been messing around with a field that was neglected for the past few years. Have cut it, limed it, disked and seeded it, basically was trying to get it productive without spraying it. Finally got disgusted and started spraying. Sprayed a 3 acre section in July and accomplished about 95% kill and decided to put a match to it. Left a green barrier and disked a section just inside for a fire stop.
Not much left to say, pics tell the rest of the story......
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[img:center][url="http://s963.photobucket.com/user/roberts257ai/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_10.jpg.html"]

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Plan on planting a mix of winter rye, turnip, buckwheat, and oats and depending on the results of my efforts, planting a alfalfa/clover/rye mix next fall.

 

[RonM]

I've burned off more than one field, it really works for fall grass eradication, I just disked along the woods for a firebreak and stayed there with it...

 

[6.5-284BMF]

Fire is such a under utilized tool. This state is so backwards on burning. You realize any fire intentionally set is illegal. At this time anyway. To be legal you need a fire boss on site. To be a fire boss you need I believe something like 12 years experience burning. From what I've been told theres one fire boss in PA. This info was all from someone involved with the Pennsylvania Prescribed Fire Council.

In all honestly I applaud you for doing the right thing. Fire is the cheapest most useful tool. I'd love to be able to burn where I hunt. In the videos and pics I've seen at classes a properly lit and managed fire will harm no wildlife. I even saw pics where burned around a hen sitting on a nest of eggs and she was perfectly fine.

Interesting thing this fella mentioned was how we complain about ticks in Pa and in the South and West that was one of the things that controlled them very well. No wonder the explosion of ticks. We've got so far from burning.

Great pics and I'd love to see how you field turns out. Is it a food plot or a field used for thermal cover? If so what are you planting?

 

[Samuel]

. any fire intentionally set is illegal

So you are saying setting a brush pile a blaze is illegal? Not saying your wrong but I am not aware of any such statute. I attended a qdma seminar recently and discussed burning with a presenter and there was no mention of any rules or regulations

 

[6.5-284BMF]

I don't wanna come off as being negative but as it was explained to me for habitat purposes and such it was illegal.

I was going to try burning a section at the farm I hunt. I called the local fire depts. and the could care less. Checked with the township also and they knew nothing.

The person I got the information from on burning did work for the PPFC. From what I took away was the state is very backwards on the burn regulations. Very. I was trying at one point to get involved with them buy other things in life halted that. I may need to look into it again now.

I believe in fire whole heartedly. I wish it was used more. Hopefully something changes and it becomes easier and more accessible for us non fire bosses

 

[BugleChaser]

There are more than 1 qualified burn boss in PA..

Most just can not burn other than for their agency, because most do not have insurance of their own to burn on private property..

Only 1 private company I know of in PA that is able to burn on private ground.. maybe there are more

 

[cspot]

It is not fun if you put a fire break around the field. LOL. Nice work. Alot of farmers around here used to burn off the fields. Don't see it much anymore though.

 

[Samuel]

Trust me, I have had my share of " fun" and learned the value of a fire break

 

[RonM]

Another rite of spring in this area is burning the marshes, the frag on hundreds of acres of marsh being burned off every Spring along the Delaware River..

 

[Samuel]

Update on my efforts.....
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After disking, ran the aerator and chain harrow to break up the soil, as well as the York rake to level.
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Planted a mix of oats,buckwheat,turnip,winter rye last sat. My results after a week.
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After seeding, ran the chain harrow (thongs up) and rolled. Then the joys of picking rocks

 

[bear king]

looks nice

 

[cspot]

Looking good!!

 

[6.5-284BMF]

Looks great!

 

[delphic93]

Looking great!

 

[Samuel]

Latest pic

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With the lack of rain, I am quite pleased with the results.

Seems the deer have been enjoying the tops of the buckwheat.