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Message
Food Plots-What is your best for deer hunting?
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:40 am
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:40 am
I have small acreage...under 150 I own but often lease a few hundred adjoining. I have 5 food plots each between 1-3 acres.
I've been using oates and winter wheat mainly but I changed up one this last year and added turnips, brassica and rape as well as oates to one plot and it did well.
I've never tried the bagged products from companies like Biologic, Tecomate, Whitetail Institute and so on...Which of these brands and varieties did you like the best and seemed to draw the deer and get the best tonnage?
Obviously small and few plots so if money is no object on what to plant what would you do? What is your go to food plot seed?
BTW, I hunt in southern Alabama in Monroe County if that helps. Thanks!
I've been using oates and winter wheat mainly but I changed up one this last year and added turnips, brassica and rape as well as oates to one plot and it did well.
I've never tried the bagged products from companies like Biologic, Tecomate, Whitetail Institute and so on...Which of these brands and varieties did you like the best and seemed to draw the deer and get the best tonnage?
Obviously small and few plots so if money is no object on what to plant what would you do? What is your go to food plot seed?
BTW, I hunt in southern Alabama in Monroe County if that helps. Thanks!
This post was edited on 7/18/11 at 2:45 am
5
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:57 am to alexanderjcoop
first and foremost check your PH add ag lime, and add at least 100 lbs of 13/13/13 per acre when planting and then to more applications of 50 lbs per acre later in the season.
I would find a local ag supply store and ask them there is likely a blend made semi locally for your area. I have done well evolved harvest throw and grow in my small spots but was told that adding seedkot to any seed would produce about the same results.
Last year I planted Austrian winter peas which did really well, winter wheat, oats, crimson clover, rape, purple top turnips, okra, and 7 top turnips
The turmips and clover did best in shadded areas
the wheat did great but grew 3-4 ft tall by March and was so thick I actually let it die off in the heat as it was too hard to mow with the brush hog.
The deer hit the oats hard, along with the peas
The turnips and rape needed a freeze and it came too late for there to be much benefit. I really couldnt tell if the deer ate the wheat as it grew so fast.
I will say some friends can to hunt in Feb or Mar and poured out a bumch of deer corn and I now have a 2 ft tall patch of corn stalks.
we were going to do a spring summer plot but with this drought we held off and fed protien instead.
I would find a local ag supply store and ask them there is likely a blend made semi locally for your area. I have done well evolved harvest throw and grow in my small spots but was told that adding seedkot to any seed would produce about the same results.
Last year I planted Austrian winter peas which did really well, winter wheat, oats, crimson clover, rape, purple top turnips, okra, and 7 top turnips
The turmips and clover did best in shadded areas
the wheat did great but grew 3-4 ft tall by March and was so thick I actually let it die off in the heat as it was too hard to mow with the brush hog.
The deer hit the oats hard, along with the peas
The turnips and rape needed a freeze and it came too late for there to be much benefit. I really couldnt tell if the deer ate the wheat as it grew so fast.
I will say some friends can to hunt in Feb or Mar and poured out a bumch of deer corn and I now have a 2 ft tall patch of corn stalks.
we were going to do a spring summer plot but with this drought we held off and fed protien instead.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 8:24 am to alexanderjcoop
we planted soybeans, peas, clover, and milo and the deer dont even give the peas a chance to grow. Went on a friday to check it out and the peas were 6" tall went back on monday and there werent any peas left on a 3 acre food plot.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 8:26 am to Bleeding purple
Might consider summer plots as well to help with antler growth & nutrition. We plant American Joint Vetch in the summer. It put's off a higher sugar concentration during daylight hours which inturn increases daylight feeding & will re sead after a couple years of planting. Will stay strong until the first freeze.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 8:47 am to alexanderjcoop
With such a small amount of land you're main goal is probably to attract deer as opposed to loading them up with healthy feed and managing a healthy herd.
There are several things you can go with, depending on what will grow best in your area. Turnips, Brassicas, and Rape are all pretty good. However if the soil doesn't have the right pH, then they will be bitter as hell and the deer won't eat them. They may look lush and beautiful, but deer won't touch it.
Vetch, American Jointvetch, is cheap and grows almost anywhere. Deer love it. I'd recommend checking that out.
Deer love soybeans, but they usually don't last late into the season. If your plots aren't big enough the deer will tear them down before they even sprout seeds. Same with cow peas/winter peas/iron clay peas. Deer love them, but you need huge plots to plant these successfully.
A lot of people recommend clover, but I haven't had much luck with the deer over clover. In my experience they don't eat it as much as the other stuff (however our pH may have been off in our clover plots).
I've had good luck with the Evolved Habitat mixes. We tried Biologic, Whitetail Institute, Evolved, and some cheap co-op mixes last year. Evolved came up the best, but the deer ate the co-op mix pretty good too (wheat, oats, rye).
I wouldn't rule out wheat/oats. They are cheap, easy to grow, and the deer love them. I wouldn't get too caught up in the Biologic/Whitetail Institute propaganda. If you have a few plots, try a few different things out and see how the deer react. See what grows best.
There are several things you can go with, depending on what will grow best in your area. Turnips, Brassicas, and Rape are all pretty good. However if the soil doesn't have the right pH, then they will be bitter as hell and the deer won't eat them. They may look lush and beautiful, but deer won't touch it.
Vetch, American Jointvetch, is cheap and grows almost anywhere. Deer love it. I'd recommend checking that out.
Deer love soybeans, but they usually don't last late into the season. If your plots aren't big enough the deer will tear them down before they even sprout seeds. Same with cow peas/winter peas/iron clay peas. Deer love them, but you need huge plots to plant these successfully.
A lot of people recommend clover, but I haven't had much luck with the deer over clover. In my experience they don't eat it as much as the other stuff (however our pH may have been off in our clover plots).
I've had good luck with the Evolved Habitat mixes. We tried Biologic, Whitetail Institute, Evolved, and some cheap co-op mixes last year. Evolved came up the best, but the deer ate the co-op mix pretty good too (wheat, oats, rye).
I wouldn't rule out wheat/oats. They are cheap, easy to grow, and the deer love them. I wouldn't get too caught up in the Biologic/Whitetail Institute propaganda. If you have a few plots, try a few different things out and see how the deer react. See what grows best.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 9:09 am to Fetch78
One of my neighbors plants vetch and highly reccomends it. I may look into that I have 3 main plots 6, 2, and 1 acre respectivelty and several smaller "draw plots".
All of my apple and pear trees died this year.
Next spring we are grafting fruiting pears to the well established non fruiting ones to see how that does.
All of my apple and pear trees died this year.
Next spring we are grafting fruiting pears to the well established non fruiting ones to see how that does. Posted on 7/18/11 at 9:14 am to Bleeding purple
quote:
All of my apple and pear trees died this year. Next spring we are grafting fruiting pears to the well established non fruiting ones to see how that does.
When I get my own place, the first thing I'm planting is persimmon trees around every food plot. Deer love em.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 9:41 am to Slickback
We have several stands of natural american persimmon, the small ones, that I fertilized heavily last year. This year with the drought they have very few fruits on them but they will likely ripen faster and may be ready in bow season. I wish some of the stands were closer to the water holes.
We have natural muscidine growing too and it seems to have survived well. The american beauty berry (ABB) on the the other hand has really struggled this year. The deer love both of them. If you cut the last 6 inches off of all the stems of the ABB you can create a money spot. Just wait for a rain and hunt the spot 1 week later.
For the OP, I would personally avoid rye in food plots, unless you are using it to provide temporary erosion control or quick shade for other emerging seedlings. I use it only on no till areas, trials, and roadways since it grows quickly and provides little to no nutritional value. The deer will usually stop to take a bite or two before moving on though so it may give you a shooting oppurtunity in a small lane.
We have natural muscidine growing too and it seems to have survived well. The american beauty berry (ABB) on the the other hand has really struggled this year. The deer love both of them. If you cut the last 6 inches off of all the stems of the ABB you can create a money spot. Just wait for a rain and hunt the spot 1 week later.
For the OP, I would personally avoid rye in food plots, unless you are using it to provide temporary erosion control or quick shade for other emerging seedlings. I use it only on no till areas, trials, and roadways since it grows quickly and provides little to no nutritional value. The deer will usually stop to take a bite or two before moving on though so it may give you a shooting oppurtunity in a small lane.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 10:12 am to Fetch78
quote:
consider summer plots as well to help with antler growth & nutrition.
This is key
Posted on 7/18/11 at 10:22 am to TBama93k
quote:
Vetch, American Jointvetch, is cheap and grows almost anywhere. Deer love it. I'd recommend checking that out.
You are correct about deer loving vetch but there is nothing cheap about it. It is WAY more expensive compared to other seeds. Granted, the seed is small like clover & will cover a large area but 1 bag can run upwards of $150.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 12:27 pm to Fetch78
That is why I havent planted vetch. It is damn expensive. I want to get the soil right first which includes total sapling/large weed and vine removal, successive years of lime application, and green fertilizer crops tilled under each spring. I figure in 2 years I will ahve it right.
Anyone plant Chicory?
Anyone plant Chicory?
Posted on 7/18/11 at 12:30 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
Anyone plant Chicory?
We have, as part of a mix. I don't think our deer are accustomed to it.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 12:35 pm to TigerDeacon
When do you put it in and when does it come up? How long does it last in the southern heat? Does it go to flower (blue flowers)
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:09 pm to Bleeding purple
Thanks for all the comments and advice...
Obviously with the small amount of acreage I'm mainly trying to attract deer but most of my neighbors are all 1000 plus acre land owners with only moderate pressure, almost exlusively used for timber but some is leased to hunt.
I haven't done spring/summer plots previously as I didn't have my own tractor (just bought a small 38 hp Kubota) and my closest neighbor who is also the game warden was planting my fall plots for me. We have kept all the feeders loaded with half corn and half high protein/mineral deer feed since the season ended but I will begin spring/summer planting next cycle.
I keep seeing everyone mention PH levels and I'm kicking myself I've never had it tested. I will definitely do so now. We would just automatically put out 200-400lbs of pelletized lime and fertilizer a week before planting on each plot.
I'd really like to try peas but I think we are so overrun with doe that they would never make it.
One additional thing I'm going to try this year is to use the cages that will allow me to see the actual uninterrupted growth of the plant so I can get a better understanding of how much pressure is being put on the plots. Again thanks to all!
Obviously with the small amount of acreage I'm mainly trying to attract deer but most of my neighbors are all 1000 plus acre land owners with only moderate pressure, almost exlusively used for timber but some is leased to hunt.
I haven't done spring/summer plots previously as I didn't have my own tractor (just bought a small 38 hp Kubota) and my closest neighbor who is also the game warden was planting my fall plots for me. We have kept all the feeders loaded with half corn and half high protein/mineral deer feed since the season ended but I will begin spring/summer planting next cycle.
I keep seeing everyone mention PH levels and I'm kicking myself I've never had it tested. I will definitely do so now. We would just automatically put out 200-400lbs of pelletized lime and fertilizer a week before planting on each plot.
I'd really like to try peas but I think we are so overrun with doe that they would never make it.
One additional thing I'm going to try this year is to use the cages that will allow me to see the actual uninterrupted growth of the plant so I can get a better understanding of how much pressure is being put on the plots. Again thanks to all!
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:13 pm to alexanderjcoop
quote:
we are so overrun with doe
Why do you say you are overrun with does? Is there a high buck only harvest there?
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:14 pm to Fetch78
quote:
You are correct about deer loving vetch but there is nothing cheap about it. It is WAY more expensive compared to other seeds. Granted, the seed is small like clover & will cover a large area but 1 bag can run upwards of $150.
I see vetch is mentioned a couple of times...never heard of it but will look into it. Any idea if it will last late into the season? Where I am our rut doesn't really start until the end of January and often tips over into February after the season has closed.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:17 pm to alexanderjcoop
quote:
will allow me to see the actual uninterrupted growth of the plant so I can get a better understanding of how much pressure is being put on the plots.
Im going to do the same this year.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:18 pm to alexanderjcoop
We have been planting clover the last few years and the deer love it.
We also plant Buck Forage Oats as a filler.
We also plant Buck Forage Oats as a filler.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:20 pm to MapGuy
quote:This is what we've been doing.
We have been planting clover the last few years and the deer love it. We also plant Buck Forage Oats as a filler.
Posted on 7/18/11 at 2:21 pm to TigerDeacon
quote:
Why do you say you are overrun with does? Is there a high buck only harvest there?
Yep, to be honest we have too many people just waiting for the racks and not taking out a proper number of does. Until recently I was just as bad to be honest. Now I'll usually take a few does the first week or so and let any friends hunting with me take some as well. Then let things calm down and rack hunt the end of December through January.
Perfect world in Alabama would be to put in a statewide 6 point or better rule and I'm pretty sure our buck doe ratio would be more in line to where it needs to be.
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