Reduce your food budget, maximize the benefits of your yard and increase your property value at the same time by installing a vegetable garden In his spot it offers a visual barrier from the nearby road, cover, and a food source. HEAVY Well-Known Member. Reading the article Turning Sand into soil by Anne Lincoln enjoyed the article. I turned part of a 9 acre hayfield into a food plot. One nice thing about switchgrass is it does not go down in the winter with snow etc providing continual cover and habitat. Why not just keep haying it if it is decent hay? As outdoor enthusiasts, everywhere we turn, were hounded with testimonials to the benefits of food plots. So dont expect your food plots to do well if you relegate them to junky clay hills. Break the field up into a grid, paying particular attention to having different grids as elevation changes. Clover Species Read More I will probably also add some apple trees- there are a couple here already and they do ok. Is there anything that will choke out dandelions? The #1 reason to avoid creating a food plot anywhere on your land, is if that location increases the risk of moving deer into your or your neighbor's path. This works best when there is minimal to no competing vegetation in the food plot, and you achieve this by spraying the field with the appropriate herbicide the fall before you frost seed, or by frost seeding a field that was planted in an annual the year before, such as wheat or oats. Like to know more of the process. this property has a section of crp- about 20 acres, a hay field - about 25 acres, and the rest is wooded with a mix of misc. I fall killed the existing alfalfa and broadcast Winter Rye, clovers, and tillage Radish into the standing dead vegetation then mowed it down. There are two sizes of allotment available: 90ft x 30ft, which costs 100 per year and a half size plot, 45ft x 15ft costing 60 per year. However you could buffer up some corners and plant several rows of pine, and diff heights of fruit bearing bushes (there are a ton to choose from) around the perimeter of the crp, to give a feeling of security and add food. At dusk, deer would leave a small woodlot and cross 600 yards of the same field to get to that small plot and start eating. Busted: 10 Myths About Food Plots. I've got a 65 acre parcel in central wisconsin. I'm not talking about a 20' deep 2 acre pond, but something that will hold water longer. Kill it off & mow it close to the ground. I've got a 9 month old son- I'd like this place to be a deer haven in a sea of agriculture by the time he is hunting. In another portion of our field we did a tree seeding with a mix of seeds (oak, chestnut, ash, maple, ?????) A conventional tillage system involves several tillage passes over the field prior to planting. Chicory & clover mix below. Hi everyone. Brush up with these deer food plot tips for when the planting season arrives. I meant to put something around that plot and maybe some tall grasses to the west of the 2nd plot as screens. Clover is relatively easy to establish, readily available, affordable, and there are a variety of species to handle most any climate or soil type. There will be plenty of weeds coming up in that hay field that will draw deer when it's properly limed, fertilized and maintained. Not gonna lie to you here, it's not. I think I have established the fact that a good brassica blend is definitely a worthy addition to the food plot regimen, but we dont want to jump out of frying pan and into the fire on this one, so lets see what it costs to grow a robust crop of brassicas before we convert all the acres over. Those rolling green carpets, where a single plant species grows uniformly lush from one edge to anotherthey dont cut it for mature deer. I assume forage radishes and WR Would be good for breaking up dense Clay soil. The guy on tv plants sorghum each year. When it comes to planting food plots for white-tailed deer, its hard to beat clover for several reasons. Food plot size is dependent on the population of deer and the size of your property. It is hard work. I want to make a one acre (part of land that I just bought) field thats been in Hay, into a food plot. I think trees will be the biggest portion of it (expensive up front but probably cheaper in the long run) and then a small plot I can do by hand or with a borrowed atv. So your food plots will dictate everything. These include forages such as soybeans, corn, grain sorghum, lab lab, and cowpeas. It is entirely weed free and heavily utilized by deer. Here is the 2nd year of the plot. Our #3 Hay and Pasture Mix is the top of the line pasture option for producers seeking the highest yield and forage quality from their grass. if you do the work yourself these programs are at worst a break even cost and in some cases you'll pocket a bit of money at the end of it. Discussion in 'Deer Management, Habitat & Conservation' started by HEAVY, Feb 22, 2018. For this reason, many create small kill plots that serve as areas deer will use as a stop on their way to a larger field. Thats a good looking setup. When the soybean fields start to yellow and turn brown, deer change their feeding patterns overnight. The thing to understand here is, Any improvement to the Habitat benefits deer. Picture them in that tree in 20 years. You could put a tree stand in any of them now, and the bucks have been rubbing them each year. It sounds like you are in need of some tree's. All the hours of planting trees, clear cutting to get regeneration of woody browes and strategically planting of food plots is giving the deer herd everything they need in The creek gets down to a trickle in the fall- a waterhole is a good idea. I dont have the equipment to plant corn or beans. i would also do a few acres of soybeans and play with some other mixes as well. The only thing we have that grows faster are the hybrid popple plantings, and they grow quickly, but the trees are thin and as soon as the leaves drop they do not provide a lot of cover unless you have 15-20+ rows. I would sprinkle in many types of quality fast growing wildlife friendly trees with the long term oak trees in your hay field. In the pastures where there are no warm season grasses, I would like to start the process of using a no till drill to plant forage soybeans. Updated: September 12, 2019. Hybrid brassicas like pasja and t-raptor grow well in spring and are palatable without having to rely on frost. I fall killed the existing alfalfa and broadcast Winter Rye, clovers, and tillage Radish into the standing dead vegetation then mowed it down. Those areas have been a ton of work and have provided varied rates of growth. Mar 8, 2011. Plot turned out great. See what will grow here after you get a soil test. If it is open around the creek, make it part of your 5 year plan to add cover around this area too. No duplication without prior consent. One key thing to keep in mind as you look to plant trees and think about your children hunting is the predominate wind direction during fall. the major problem I run into is once the corn is harvested the deer pretty much disappear. Love clover!! Did they seed the pasture and ferterlize? The wheat does very well in shadier areas imo. John Hafner. *Before you even create your food plot, what is your Depth of Cover? Its a small disc pulled behind an ATV so not much soil penetration with all the detritus. I know WV has USDA and Farm Services Offices. They don't like it very much. Sounds cool, you have a nice clean slate to turn over to your kids, I like the long term approach for the kids. Does the little creek/ditch running through the property have water running year round? most of the deer I've killed here have been traveling west to the corn fields along the north end of the hay field. No duplication without prior consent. It the field is going to be limed and fertilized every year you may already have the best of both worlds without the cost of doing a food plot. Based on these experiences, our 2012 project will be a tree seeding and not planting more tree rows. Keep in mind entry & exit routes along with predominate wind directions when planting any feeding or bedding cover. By Jon Cooner. Why not carve out a few corners of that field and plant food plots there? the spring greens could be tilled in in august to put the fall winter mix back in. The hay field would be a good place to start the future for your kids. Plot looks great this year. They are cheap and do not take much to get into the ground. DeerBuilder.com takes you step by step through the process of draining a wet field so it is suitable for planting. The GENESIS is a true, no till food plot drill that will plant a variety of food plot seeds and blends, into the ground, even in the toughest soil conditions. Dont fall for gimmicks and hype. A few friends and I purchased 160ac of "project" not unlike yours (in MN) in 2004. High energy, grain-based food plots are an essential management practice for game birds and other wildlife on private lands.Regardless of winter severity, it always makes good sense to provide additional food and cover for crisis situations, to use food plots to increase habitat diversity, and to create habitat for hunting and wildlife viewing. Also, it is a little small for someone to want to lease for farming. This blend will respond well to fertile soils and is highly suitable for grazing or multi It is slow growing for two years but once established is somewhat invasive. When it comes to food plots, you will get the best possible results in the most cost-effective way if you stick to the basics - and go step-by-step. thanks guys. This wooded section also has a high tension line running across it so I lose cover there. This creates the initial work. I have been using the radishes to break that up. Rent a bobcat or hire a guy with backhoe and put some strategic water holes in this place, look for some type of drainage, low area where water already drains off. If not I think it would be a smart investent to dig out or dam up a small portion of it. However, brassicas also do well in a summer cover crop mix and can put into a mix to plant in the spring as well. I want to convert this field of weeds into a food plot. As outdoor enthusiasts, everywhere we turn, were hounded with testimonials to the benefits of food plots. A gravel road runs along the northernmost edge before turning south to border the west. I currently have two other food plots, approximately one acre each? When the soybean fields start to yellow and turn brown, deer change their feeding patterns overnight. Providing quality forage is the first step toward turning your property into a dove haven, Ill spread the clover seed over one corner or one small finger of the field. You may want to add some pines around your food plot (in hayfield) or other type of screen mentioned above - so the deer fell a little more comfortable walking out in daylight. Franzen if his field is hay like we have up north here it's basically a thin low nutrient grass that deer only eat once all other options are off the table. I also want to add a mineral rock where the two fields meet. Great Spots To Avoid Creating A Food Plot In. In a half-acre food plot, I typically have a grid network of at least six different areas. So here is a rough idea based on some of the suggestions here. 5 Steps to creating the Perfect Clover Plot. I am not sure how it will do in your state as it loves a lot of heat and hot summers, however if you plant the taller varieties such as Alamo and Kanlow it grow to 8' tall and deer love it to bed in. If you have a new lease or have acquired some new property to hunt you may have some new opportunities for places to establish a food plot. Providing them with a sweet, green food source can be dynamite. Create a screen around the perimeter of the plot or areas that allow the plot to be seen by a road or neighbors. Forget picture-book plots. If you don't like to sweat and work for hours on end, you probably want to go rent a rototiller and skip to step 4. RIT- how did the tillage radish do when you just broadcasted them? You also want the food in areas with at least good (if not great) soil. I am a high school teacher so no farm equipment and I don't really have the means ($) to hire it out every year or pay to take care of a large food plot. Personally I would stay away from any tree that does not have a wildlife benefit. Right now my plan is to wait for the kill, throw in some fall rye then run the disc over the standing dead grass and weeds. Mowed it, then sprayed with roundup. By: Weston Schrank . Where is the water??? My fall plots are planted in late summer and always include oats. brush and red pines (15-25 footers). Is there anything else to break up Clay? Heres what you really need to know about planting food plots for deer. Warm-season plantings are typically planted in spring and grow throughout the summer and into fall. It'll still be hard work, just not to quite such an, um, spiritual level. I have applied gypsum on one plot. The blue is the creek- very small, I can step over it at any point. 1/9/2015 3:16:13 PM Land Projects,Habitat & Conservation. 1,273. Proper alfalfa pH is much the same as that needed for a good clover food plot so shoot for a 6.8-7.0 pH range. Conventional tillage systems allow the opportunity to thoroughly mix applied lime prior to the next growing season. I don't buy it APauls; the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side. Dove Food Plots. A question we are often asked is how do I clear a new food plot or reclaim an old field and turn it into a productive food source? I really like this site! I'd really like to do something with the hay field to add more cover- a food source maybe but definitely cover. Step 1: Taming the Tall Weeds. Even if you normally go whitetail deer hunting with your gut as your guide, there are considerations you need to make in choosing a food plot location that are going to Broadcast clover right before a good rain & it should come up great. One really easy way to encourage whitetails to use a food source is making them feel safe by planting a food plot screen like BioLogic Blind Spot. Lots of options there. Food on the property is currently a few apple trees here and there, a small clover kill plot that needs some variety, and the surrounding property's corn fields. You can turn an ATV into a workhorse. If youve hunted plots like this youve probably noticed deer tend to pause at the forest edge, then trot quickly into the open food plot, stopping some distance from the edge. Popple trees! In August, use a Bush Hog to clear trails and start preparing food plots. If I get time tonight I'm going to sketch up an idea and repost the picture and see what you guys think. The soil was just OK and I knew it would need help. This is a small piece of land to begin with and most of it is wide open, I still manage to kill a few deer there every year but it isn't great. Brush up with these deer food plot tips for when the planting season arrives. 1 50# bag will plant 3 acres. I have one end of my plot that grows nothing but weeds, grass and prolific dandelions. That is going to be very open field for quite a few years. Hay fields as food plots. Tilling killed sod at a trial site at the MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, Michigan. 5 Steps To Creating A New Food Plot. But I've pretty much settled into a routine that includes a blend of clover, alfalfa and soybeans. Latest . Three years later this plot is the best ladino clover plot Ive ever planted. the soil here is pretty heavy- clay and rocks where it is dry and soggy in other spots, especially along the creek. I want to have early, mid and late season food plots and rotate them as needed. I planted Ladino. old pasture with thorny locust converted to apple, pear & persimmon orchard. More Hunting. Have it a few weeks, and ready to plow plant and disc. first time posing an image, hope it works. You are not registered - please click here to register now. Field Notes. I'd really like to do something with the hay field to add more cover- a food source maybe but definitely cover. Alternately, the tree seedings still require a lot of prep, some spraying and mowing the first 2 years but after that you just kind of let it go. The high tension line area - soil test it? It is hard work. In other words, if your plot has even a slight slope, make sure to have a grid section at the high and low point of the slope. Rye may not be for everyone, but it certainly is a species worth looking into! If they cut the hay field like they are supposed to..You want need a foodplot..Just hope they cut it last right before 1st frost..The the deer will come eat in the field.Small weeds and such..We have 100's of ac of hay fields here at the house..I can plant plots and the deer want eat them..Your not gonna wanna plant wheat.It will mess up the cutting the next spring AND Argh!! I have a 3 acre field that is overgrown with weeds (I think it's mainly what you call golden rod). field & stream expo; blogs; email; facebook; twitter; youtube; instagram; snapchat; rss; Skip to content. Busted: 10 Myths About Food Plots. An aerial or satellite would be very helpful indeed. then in fall plant a honey hole food plot in area I intend to hunt over. The red is the property boundary. I have a question for some of the guys that have hay fields. The timing is geared to let mother nature use her freeze thaw cycle to work the clover seed into the ground, and give us the necessary soil to seed contact for germination without working the ground. with a one acre field why not split it and do half perennial plus from deer creek seeds and the other half a fall winter mix like autumn buffet or hog radishes or winter rye, this would help build the soil up and then in spring put spring green in that half and the perennial plus will come back on its own. Franzen- I have around 15 acres between the three different hay fields. The sun is on the way up, and you have just received enough light to make out the silhouette of the tom on his roost. This food plot is in the middle of our hay field and is about 50 yds by 50 yds. Look into Egyptian wheat - it is of the sorghum family - primarily grows in the SE - but I am pretty sure they have varieties that will grow in your area. A working power transmission line stands along the north/south gravel road. How to Turn a Lawn Into a Vegetable Garden. But hopefully some of your passion for planting food plots has evolved into other aspects of deer management such as timber stand improvement, coyote hunting, or trail camera surveys. Summer is upon us and many gamekeepers are starting to get the fever for the fall hunting season. Here is a pic I took last weekend before I mowed it. This photo is from a second year plot with clover. You will also see a buck come out into the [] It grows up to 10 feet tall - great screen. Plot turned out great. Food Plots. To put it simply, clovers are a very versatile deer forage. I broadcast buckwheat into winter rye to add a different root structure into the soil. When my dad bought his land he planted so many of these things and they grew fast! we received from one of our DNR Forestry offices. If oaks grow in this part of Wisconsin I would start planting a variety of oaks especially white. One key is you do NOT really want to say I am doing this for Deer ( At least in WV ) You want to look at an overall wildlife habitat improvement plan. They grew about 5 feet or so a year. Did they seed and turn the grass under each year to feed the soil? Clover is a productive food for both deer and turkeys. Spring Turkey Hunting | Food Plots, Scouting, and Bale Blind Placement for Turkey Hunting. Field edges offer great opportunities; as the deer are already using these areas and as a new food source is introduced via your food plot, it wont take long for it to be a deer magnet. It is a diverse blend of the most productive cool-season grasses on the market and we use improved varieties to keep performance at the highest level possible. Creating screens for increased daylight activity. deer bed anywhere in the pines along the power line but I've found that bucks will bed in the northeast corner which is pretty thick and nasty. For example, creating a food plot for white-tailed deer where heavy populations currently exist, you may need large, numerous plots to prevent over use, especially if Poor man food plots can be understood by the obvious nameequipment is either hard to come by or access is not possible into the plot. I would suggest your first priority is long term, and that means trees. I'm looking for as low maintenance and low cost as possible. Rather than simply turning the soil, it mixes and mulches the vegetation into the soil and breaks up the clumps leaving a well prepped seed bed behind. Over seeding clover in food plots for deer Over seeding clover in food plots for deer is easy.