Trail Layout & Design
We look at your stand locations, bedding areas, food sources, and prevailing winds before we cut a single trail — the route matters as much as the clearing.
Dozer & Excavator Trail Cutting
Heavy equipment to cut new access through timber, brush, and rough terrain. We get it done clean and wide enough to work without blowing out more than necessary.
ATV & UTV Path Clearing
Narrower paths cleared and maintained for quiet access to stands — width optimized for your machine without overcutting and alerting deer to the corridor.
Equipment Roads to Food Plots
Access wide enough to get a tractor, sprayer, or seeder in and out of plot locations without tearing up the ground or getting stuck in wet conditions.
Creek & Drainage Crossings
Culverts and crossings installed where trails cross drainages — so wet springs don't lock you out of half your property.
Annual Trail Maintenance
Southern Illinois brush grows fast. We come back to mow, bush hog, and trim back trails on a schedule so they stay open and usable season to season.
Access Built Around How You Hunt
Most guys cut trails wherever the ground is flat or a dozer can get through easy. That's the wrong approach. The best access systems on a hunting property are designed around wind direction, bedding locations, and entry/exit timing — so you can slip in and out without alerting deer to your movement.
We've worked enough hunting properties across Southern Illinois to understand how deer use terrain. We talk through your setup before we cut — where your stands are, which direction you're coming from, what time of morning — and we route the trail to support the hunt, not fight it.
Fully Insured · Free On-Site Estimates
We carry full liability insurance on every job. Before any work begins, we walk your site, talk through the scope, and give you a clear number. Call 618-417-7381 to schedule a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide should a hunting access trail be?
It depends on the purpose. A foot trail to a stand — minimal width, just enough to walk quietly. An ATV path — 6 to 8 feet. An equipment road for a tractor or food plot work — 10 to 12 feet minimum. We cut to the purpose, not just what's easiest to clear.
Can you build a trail through heavy timber?
Yes. Dozer or excavator depending on what's standing and how thick. Dense hardwood timber in Southern Illinois is something we deal with regularly — it takes the right machine and someone who knows what they're doing, but it's standard work for us.
Do you install culverts for creek crossings on hunting properties?
Yes. Drainage crossings are a common need on Southern Illinois properties — lots of drainages, wet creek bottoms, and low areas that turn into mud when it rains. We size and set culverts that handle normal water flow without washing out the crossing.
Can you maintain my property's trails if I live out of state?
Yes — annual or seasonal trail maintenance is part of what we offer absentee landowners. Brush and briars grow fast here, especially in the first two years after a new trail is cut. We come back on schedule to keep them open so you're not doing it on the front end of every hunting trip.
How much does it cost to cut a hunting access trail in Southern Illinois?
Trail cost depends on length, terrain, and what's being cleared. A simple brush trail through overgrowth is very different from pushing through standing timber. We quote by the job after walking the route — call 618-417-7381 and describe what you're working with.