Food plots

[mobeetiebuck]

I was interested to see if anyone had used or planted food plots in the past, and what your outcomes were.

Thanks for your help

[NYBuckhunter]

I have a small "honey hole" plot that I planted under and around a small bunch of apple trees. I used a mix called Secret Spot, and it has worked very well. I used a small garden rototiller to break up the ground, and then I just spread the seed on top and raked it in. I planted it as a fall/winter plot, and planted it in August. It has come up very well and I see alot of activity on it via my trail cam.The apples on the ground help, but the deer eat the plants in the plot pretty heavily. Next year I am going to till up a few strips in the plot and plant turnips, plus I am going to fertilize the whole thing to see how that improves growth.

I have 2 days left before the season starts, and that will really tell the tale, so we will see if the plot helps with my hunting this year.

[KwackWacker]

We have them planted from a 1/4 acre to 25 acres. They are fantastic. I like the smaller ones better though. I always seem to see more and bigger deer on the little plots.

[mobeetiebuck]

thanks for your replies. I also wanted to see what you guys had noticed in the way of increased size and health of deer that I food plot could influence. And as far as that is concerned how much land did you have to plant to see those results.

[NYBuckhunter]

Well, I kind of doubt that my plot is going to do all that much for nutritional purposes, but even with the little bit of herd management that I have been trying to do has made a decent difference in the number of bucks around. We had way too many does in the past, now the ratio seems to be getting more in balance. After this year it should be alot better if I can take a few more out.

[KwackWacker]

The food plots we planted were just a part of our management plan. The size and health of our deer herd has been very good for the past three years. I can't say for sure that the food plots had much to do with it because we are hunting agricultural areas anyway. I think what elps us more is only taking mature bucks and does.

[Hunt4evr']

I am looking to get some advice on planting a food plot without spending a fortune. The land is mostly highland with old growth oaks/maple and spotty pines. There isnt much undergrowth (which is why Im considering the food plots) and the soil below about 6" is somewhat sandy. I wondering if there is a good technique and hearty/maintenance free seed that can be planted in similar conditions without having to disc or til up the land. Thanks

[DocHolladay]

There are several no-plow seeds out on the market and some that work in the shade, but my suggestion would be clover. You can also do a plantain/clover mix.

Rake the leaves back in the area that you want to plant. Spread the seed on the ground and lightly cover it up. Hope for rain.

It is pretty late in the season to be planting, but come spring you should be great. You can go out there now and prepare the seed bed for the spring planting. Apply lime at 2000lb/acre without a soil test. With a soil test, they will suggest how much lime you need. If you take the lime and mix it in with the soil now, it should be incorporated well when you decide to seed in the spring. It takes the lime up to 6 months to "absorb" into the soil so that the plant can use it to its full potential.

From reading in books that I have and online, it will take 8lbs/acre of ladino clover or 10lbs/acre for plantain. If you want a mix, I would suggest a mix of the two at a rate of 60/40 clover/plantain. If you have a seed company close by(CO-OP), they may suggest a different ratio or different seed mix altogether.

[HuntingGearGuy]

I think deer size is related to the climate they live in. It seems to me the bigger deer live in the colder northern climate verses southern areas with the warm winters. I plant small food plots strategically to encourage antler growth for the bucks but, here in Ohio we have little problem with weight on mature deer of either sex.

[DocHolladay]

I want to change the mix I suggested earlier to a 70/30 clover/plantain mix. You could even do an 80/20 mix.