Is it worth spending all the time and money into a food plot?

If your spending thousands of dollars and man hours just to shoot a deer, it isn't worth it, you are better off taking that money and hunting another state.

If you enjoy being a good steward of the land, don't mind giving back more than you take, it is well worth it. My reward comes from watching thedeer feed in my plots all year long. I do food plots here in PA and also my sons property in N.Y.

I have spent most of my years hunting on public lands and only a few years ago started managing private property for hunting. I rarely ever hunt public land anymore for deer since planting food plots on private land. Your first year will be the most expensive and the least productive. I suggest planting clover/ brassicas mix for the first year and spend the other money on the herbicides and fertilizer for future seasons. To me, spending the time working in my food plot and seeing the increase in deer and the health of the deer - more fawns, bigger bucks I say it is absolutely worth it. There are also off-brand name clover, turnip, soybeanand other foods that are alot less expensive and still produce well. Google clover seed or whatever and look around. Fruit trees are a great addition as well, Plant them once and spray them every year and they will repeatedly produce fruit. There are Arbor Day specials, google those trees as well to find the best price.

All depends on what the deer have to eat in your area .
Remember that acorns are a #1 deer hot spot but they dont do well every year .
Are ther any agricalture plots in your hunting area ??
corn, alfalpha or clover ??
If you hunt most soft woods or overgrown grassy sections and yoyr neibors are planting and drawing in all the deer I,d say plant something for an atractant .
I f your in an area with little or no outsiders pressure and your seeing deer on a regular basis you should be fine .

Food plots do not need to be expensive. Use what equipment you have available, plant to your soil, and buy seed from your local ag supply store. If you enjoy working the land and growing plants, it will be worth your while. If you want something easy, don't want to work/research it, and expect a 150 class buck to be in it opening day; you will be disappointed. For me, growing a good quality plot that wildlife enjoy is as much fun as harvesting the animal I planted and worked it for (which I have yet to do over a food plot).

yeah its worth it.