food plot ?

[ncboy]

Hello, Im new to this forum. My question. we own some land in northern NC,around 19 ac.Its got alot of deer and turkey around it, and deer go through it I have 4 stands on it. The question is,the property has an old tobacco field that is grown up and very thick with small trees and larger ones,The deer have trails through there like crazy.I am thinking of getting it cleared,around 1 ac, and make a food plot. Would this be beneficial or should I just leave it alone and hunt it. The other side of the property has a feeder and brings in deer. I dontn want to spend the money for clearing unless it will increase the deer coming in and out of the property. Thanks, Jim

[Bowhunters]

First off welcome to the DHC forum.

Putting in some small 'honey hole' plots that are each only the size of a small bedroom within range of your 4 tree stands would probably work nicely.

If you have access to a walk behind tiller thats all you will really need to clear a small bedroom sized plot within bow range of a couple or all of your tree stands and it will reduce costs of creating them and you won't have to clear large pieces of land.

You want to put the plots near your stands but also where they will get sunlight and take into consideration the main wind directions for the fall or winter when you will be hunting, probably mainly North and South winds.

I have no doubt putting in some little honey hole plots would work for your area, deer are browsers in that they like to pick food here and there as they walk along so having those plots along their trail areas fits perfectly for the way they prefer to feed.

If you have no clue as to what to plant I would advise you to do a google search for the (Whitetail Institute) website, they freely give out a lot of information on what type plot mixes work on various types of land and soils, muddy, swampy land all the way to hilly dry sandy soils and they will even send you a free sample of one of their plot mixes for you to try.

You will want to follow their planting instructions and that will likely also include taking soil samples and do a ph test on your plot areas, deer plot mixes usually have clovers or brassica's that will grow best in a particular ph range.

Hope these pointers give you some ideas.

[ncboy]

Thanks for the info. I did forget to mention that I would also like to attract turkeys in spring. I know turkeys like open areas,thats why they are all around but not on our property. I was trying to attract both. Maybe some strips of clover through the thick stuff. The property is pretty good for deer already but doesnt hurt to try to improve it.

[Bowhunters]

Yeah turkey like 'white clover' and some deer plot mixes have some of that in them.

Turkey also like Orchardgrass, Buckwheat, chufa, various millets so if you really wanted to lay out a smorgasboard you could mix a turkey plot mix and deer plot mix together before you plant or put them down in separate areas.

You might want to check out some Delta-Ag seedcoat for your plot mix as it greatly aids in germination so more of your seed will come up and a small amount of it works on a lot of seed.

Should be able to get the seed coat at a farm feed and seed store or maybe even a Walmart.