I would look into information that I suspect is available free from Michigan St. Univ. Their school of wildlife managemnt shoud have plenty of information on what are good choices for food plots in the area that you hunt. In general, as soon as you can select where you want to plant. Take soil samples and have them tested. Most food plot crops are going to do well in a pH of 6.5-7.0. You can start correcting the pH now. If you are going to plant only cool weather plots, wait until say mid summer, mow the plots down and apply a herbicide mix that will kill the weeds, grass and any woody plants that are there now. A mix of generic "Round-Up" and 2-4-D will be very effective ridding the plot of noxious stuff if done correctly. If needed, hit the plots again about 2-3 weeks before planting.

I have found deer are more comfortable coming into a plot that is long and narrow, rather than one that is "square-ish". And they like a mix of crops. Down this way (SE Alabama) , a mix of wheat, oats, grain rye, clover and turnip works great. I am guessing that there are varieties of these that will work well up your way.

As far as a target that can double as a decoy ... I have no clue.