01/13/2026
In recent years, the pressure from out of state hunters has increased in the purchasing of Smoky HIlls land. For decades, a common myth has persisted among deer hunters: if you want more deer, you need more "woods." This misunderstanding has led many of these "hunting” landowners to stand by—or even encourage—the encroachment of Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) onto native prairies and old fields. Allowing this "green glacier" to take over is one of the worst management decisions that can be made for the ecosystem.
The Myth of the Cedar Thicket
Many hunters love red cedars because they provide "thermal cover." While it is true that a dense cedar stand offers a windbreak during a blizzard, white-tailed deer are far more resilient. They have thrived for millennia in the open tallgrass prairies of the Great Plains, using native grasses like switchgrass and big bluestem for bedding and thermal regulation.
The problem with red cedar is that it is a biological desert. As cedars invade a prairie, they create a closed canopy that blocks nearly all sunlight from reaching the ground. Research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that as cedar canopy increases, herbaceous forage production—the food deer actually eat—can drop by over 99%.
Why Prairie is a "Superfood"
White-tailed deer are selective eaters. They don't just eat "grass"; they selectively pick the most nutrient-dense parts of plants, primarily forbs (flowering broad-leaved plants) and high-quality woody browse.
A well-managed prairie contains hundreds of species of forbs like partridge pea, Illinois bundleflower, and native sunflowers. These plants often exceed 20% crude protein during the critical summer months when bucks are growing antlers and does are nursing fawns. In contrast, a cedar-choked woodlot offers almost zero nutritional value at the ground level. Once the cedar branches grow out of reach, the buffet is closed.
Research: Prairie vs. Woodlots
The idea that deer "need" deep woods is refuted by tracking data. In a landmark study from South Dakota, researchers found that white-tailed deer disproportionately used prairie habitats over others. In one instance, prairie made up only 5.7% of the total landscape, yet it accounted for nearly 47% of the deer's summer range.
Furthermore, research in Oklahoma and Kansas has shown that deer densities in open, fire-maintained grasslands are often higher and the animals are healthier than those in areas heavily encroached by brush. Without the shade of the "green glacier," the soil remains productive, fueling the high-protein diet required to produce trophy-class antlers.
Management: Reclaim Your Land
If the goal is to grow and hold big deer, as a local landowner or an absentee landowner, then the red cedar must be viewed as a w**d.
Mechanical Removal: Cut cedars below the lowest branch, especially the females (the ones with berries), to stop the spread.
Prescribed Fire: This is the most cost-effective tool. Fire kills small cedars and "resets" the prairie, stimulating the growth of the nutrient-rich forbs deer love.
Promote Edge, Not Thickets: If you want cover, manage for native shrub thickets like wild plum or sumac, which provide both concealment and high-quality browse.
By keeping your prairie open, you aren’t just saving an ecosystem; you are building a better kitchen for your deer.
The SHPBA annual meeting is January 27, 2026 from 6 to 8pm at the Rolling Hills Zoo conference center. Come out to listen to Cade Rensink talk about the Smoky Hills ecosystem.
