Clear Roads and Trails
Making sure main access roads and trails leading to key hunting areas are cleared of obstructions is critical for winter preparation. Overgrown brush, low-hanging limbs, debris, and anything else blocking pathways should be trimmed or removed.
Focus first on clearing wider routes that allow larger vehicles like ATVs, UTVs, and trucks to traverse areas safely. Make sure there is adequate overhead and side clearance for transporting hunting gear and game. Trim back encroaching tree limbs, bushes, vines, and anything hanging over the road.
For narrower hiking trails, clear away thick brush and move any downed branches or logs blocking the path. Compact the trail surface and fill in uneven spots prone to icing over. Place wood chips or gravel to cover slick mud patches. Install grab ropes along steep inclines.
Reinforce Soft Spots
Identify and fill any soft spots in dirt access roads that are prone to getting muddy and holding standing water when temperatures drop below freezing. These trouble areas can quickly become impassable pits of thick ice and deep ruts. Spread rock or gravel to stabilize the surface.
Inspect Culverts
Culverts allow proper drainage under roads and trails, preventing washouts. Make sure existing culverts are clear of blockages and allow water flow. Consider adding more culverts in areas prone to flooding and freeze-over. This will help avoid impassable sheets of ice across pathways.