Question: Small Food Plots
 

First off want to introduce myself. My names Richie and i've grown up hunting and fishing with my pops. I live in the north of boston area, I'm now in my mid 20's and starting to get out on my own, have been limited because of dedication to football and i have been thinking of different ways to come up with my own techniques. I'll be bow hunting next year with a xbow (due to two broken hands with hardware inside) and also shotgun and prim arms.

That out of the way i've been thinkiing of trying to create a small food plot within public land in a somewhat secluded area (if possible). Does anyone have experience with this in the boston/northshore area? How did it turn out? I'm concerened with the fact if someone spots it they might hunt a game trail heading to it or around it and take that buck i've been feeding before i do. I know private land is best, but i have no idea where to start with that. Seems all farms have a waiting list. Thank you in advance for any advice!

No one has experimented with small plots on public land?

It's Illegal here to put food plots on public land.

I don't know if it is legal or not. But if it is on public any one with the appropriate permits / licenses can hunt it. So just because you planted it, assuming you can do so legally, you have no more rights to it than anyone else.

100% understandable, of course i can't exactly tape it off, I'm more just curious on if anyone has had success with it. Here in MA you can feed up until 7 days before the start of the season, i'm more a call and scent them in guy. I've been pondering this though and curious on results, ideally would be private land of course

14. Prohibited:

(a) trapping deer, or setting, placing, and tending traps for the purpose of taking deer;

(b) baiting deer, hunting over bait, or the placing of bait for the purpose of taking deer or attracting them to a place where they may be hunted. Bait includes any artificial or natural substance, including but not restricted to salt, corn or other grains, apples or other fruit, vegetables, or any product or substance which constitutes a nutritional attraction or enticement to deer. A baited area is any area where bait has been placed and remains a baited area from 10 days prior to the opening of the archery season to 12:00 noon on the day following the close of the primitive firearms season.



In Mass food has to be removed 10 days before the start of the bow season. Foodplots would be considered bait if you planted it to attract deer.

I use the other hunters to my advantage, and use them as pushers.....

Where I hunt I have found a different way to get in other than the traditional parking lot. I am so far away from the parking lot, and food source that I get the other hunters to bump deer to me.

Not only is "baiting" (as we call it) illegal in many States, .........it is also (imho) unethical.

I'll go on record as stating that I am against "baiting" or entrapment in any way.

-Soupy1957

food plots are not considered bait. the above excerpts make no mention of planted food. Only food placed there at the time. if that were the case you couldn't hunt near any farm or field.

I have read that excerpt and noticed it does not speak of something growing in the ground or permanent like a food plot, i understand the "un Ethical" but it's really no different then hunting the edge of a field or farm. You're hunting them as they go to a food supply. Specialist1 i've done the same thing so far this year, found a nice ridge and gully they go to hide in as they get spooked, already filled 2 tags with this and let many walk. But this is similar as you're hiding in the safe zone. To me, hunting is hunting really when it comes down to it. Unless you sit in a tree in the middle of the woods and call them in hunting a field or escape area to me is no different. Also just creating this plot does not guarantee me something. Still need to put in the other efforts. This is for sure a back and fourth type of topic.

If legal and possible maybe spread some clover on some roadways,trail or path...if there's a small open area with a decent amount of sun light hitting it You could clear off an area and put down some clover there?

Check all Your Game Laws to see what You can and can not do?We are allowed to plant food plots here in Missouri and we can put down Salt & Minerals on Private Property,on many Public Land Hunting Areas in Missouri the MDC (Missouri Dept of Conservation) Plants Food Plots for anyone to use while Hunting.We can put out Grain/Corn but as mentioned it has to be removed completely 10 days before Hunting.