RE: Bowhunting Food Plots
 

Mauser:

Winter oats seed isn't that expensive (Unless you're buying buck forage or some other brand name seed). I have nothing but the overall herd health in mind. Otherwise.......why take a chance on ruining my hunting? I just want the deer I have, now.............to be able to eat better without having to travel so far. The areas I'm talking about seeding....are already sanctuaries for these deer. I got 100's of game cam photos, last Summer/Fall.....in the exct area I'm talking about seeding.....all on a mineral site. It's about 1.5 acres (field) in the middle of the woods. I've also got 2+ acres that my neighbor is going to let me plant whatever I want (he just cleared the land).

I'm taking a chance, in my eyes.....that the deer will be changing their patterns. I'm willing to take a chance....knowing they're not going wayward to eat, so much.

Should be interesting.

RE: your comments, above.....I used to feel the same way you do. That is....until the QDMA guy told me different. I'm gonna trust him, at least this year.

RE: Bowhunting Food Plots
 

GMMAT, I think you're in NC? I live in VA and have had plots on the tidewater, piedmont, and mountain areas. I've found clover does ok if you at least scar the surface. They suggest a 1/4" coverage, which isn't much. I usually will plant winter wheat as a buffer crop to protect the tender clover shoots from browse. I have had ok success with wheat just broadcast on bare ground but not with clover, you do lose a lot to birds, and turkey's will even pull the young shoots. Plant the wheat two weeks before the clover to allow them to take the brunt of the browsing until they get established. I also mix perennial and annual clover, (ladino, crimson, dutch white).

RE: Bowhunting Food Plots
 

hope it works out for ya Jeff..i just hope the plots come up. if they do...youll be all over deer again.

since they already use the area it will be interesting to see what happens. they might not NEED to change. and you may attract even more deer then you know you had. but id definently do some observing and stuff..might change them a big...might need to find staging areas to find the bucks..i do bet that they bed in the same areas..connect their bedding area to the safest, easiest route to your plot and deer will be there i bet...

good luck.....

RE: Bowhunting Food Plots
 

Thanks, Mauser. I move a lot....and utilize a climber a BUNCh.....I can follow them.

I'll post photos if/when they come up.

RE: Bowhunting Food Plots
 

I've tried the "mow and throw" method....didn't work very well. I'd disc it if I were you.

Putting in the food plot didn't drastically change the deer's travel patterns either....and we cleared out about3 acres of woods. I wouldn't worry about that, especially since you use a climber and you move a lot. You'll pattern them pretty quick.

Good luck.