I'm thinking about putting in a food plot but I have some questions. First is when should I plant it and second is how effictive will it be?

I dont know much about food plots but I'm pretty sure they should have been planted in early spring? I've heard they are very effective (depends on the original number of deer in the area). I've also heard that many people find where deer enter and exit the plot and set up stands on those trails.

You may want to try another forum here on HuntingNet for more feedback? http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tt.aspx?forumid=10

That being said, I love foodplots and am learning more and more every season about the does and don't and exactly what it takes to make them successful, especially here in IL. You still have PLENTY of options for a great looking plot. Granted it is a bit late for any Spring plots but the door is wide open for a host of Fall plots. Fall Plots are actually considered the "Hunting" plots compared to the nutritional plots that most plant in the Spring. The two type of seasonal plots generally serve totally different purposes.

Fall plantings are usually geared more towards a mid Aug to early Sept planting time and they consist of crops that will last up until the bitter cold nips 'em back. Forage blends such as Brassicas (turnip, rape, etc) and blends that contain Oats and/or wheat seem to be the most popular and the most effective in most regions. As usual, I'll be doing some Fall plots on my own property this season as well. I've found them to be highly attractive to area deer especially once most corn gets picked.

Here's a Brassica plot from last as well as a Forage Oats plot.

If you dont have mcuh experience...1) disc up the plot in september 2) spread winter wheat and some fertilizer 3) lightly disc again or just leave on top, instant food plot.

Wheat is probably the easist plot to establish and the deer start eating it right away, good luck!

You need to wait now until about the second to last week in august to plant. We always plant during this time and have had good luck with Austrian Winter Peas, Rape, CLover, and a bag of biologic and rackmaster mixed together. Itll stay through the winter and into the spring for turkeys and deer both. IF you want to throw in some soybeans and itll get the deer in there but the soybeans wont last long