poison sumac

[marshhunter]

I hunt some farmland that borders a very large swamp. The farmland turns into cedar swamp and then to tamaracks and long marsh grass. The tamaracks and long grass areas are very thick with Poison sumac and deer trails are zigzagging throughout everywhere. I was thinking of clearing out some of the sumac for shooting lanes along the long grass and the tamaracks and then between the cedars and the tamaracks. My question is, Does anyone know of any good way to get rid of the sumac. I have become sensitive to it and would like to get rid of enough of it so I can walk in to my stand without getting it on me. The grass is soo tall that I can only the see the tops of the deers heads when they walk by. Would cutting the grass or planting something else cause the deer to vacate the area.

[bowman12]

Poison anything really stinks! I get poison ivy pretty bad and I've been dealing with it on our house lot for about 2 years. I've been spraying it with round-up and it seems to be taking care of it. Some of the real bad spots I've had to hit twice but there is alot less of it now. I think they also make a poison ivy/sumac killer too. Good luck and remember to wash with rubbing alcohol, or something to cut the oil, after you've touched it.

[danesdad]

Roundup does have a product that is specifically for poison ivy. It should work on poison sumac too. But it will also kill any other plants it touches, including the grasses you refer to. Plus, you have to spray the leaves, which may not be on the plant in winter.

[ranwin33]

We always like a Crossbow and diesel mix when working with woody plants. 

[hookset6969]

I just seen some idiot's on the TV show a thousand way's to die smoke some of this stuff and they keeled over dead[:D] I guess they picked the wrong WEED!!

[marshhunter]

I heard bad things about inhaling the smoke from poison ivy/sumac burns as well. I guess I will try the roundup and see how that goes.
What does anyone think about cutting the marshgrass shorter in the shooting lanes. Will this cause the deer to avoid this area?
Thanks for your opinions.
 

[ranwin33]

If you cut the marsh grass shorter it may cause the deer to use the lanes more.  Deer seem to like to take the easy way, so making a few travel lanes with shorter grasses should make walking easier for them.

[Ohio farms]

Don't burn it. The oil becomes vaporized, you in hale  it and you are in big trouble.  Best time to spray is when it is warm outside. The plant will absorb it better.  Evil stuff.