When and what to plant?
 

If I plant a food plot this year will the bucks in my area be bigger by deer season?If so what should a guy plant that has been proven in your eyes to work to make the racks and bodies bigger.
Thanks for the advice.
Ray

Raymond Rohrbeck

RE: When and what to plant?
 

Three things are necessary for deer to attain large bodies and racks: genetics, age, and nutrition. Your are probably stuck with the genetics you have. Allowing the young bucks to live to the 5 1/2 or so age to get their maximum growth and antler deveopment is something that you and your neighbors can do something about. In most places the majority of the bucks harvested are 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 year old. Trying to properly manage your deer herd is worth it. Supplementing deer feed with summer crops of soybeand, iron clay peas, Tecomate Lablab or similar crops will pay off, but it is not going to be a one year deal. Actual results will probably not be noticed for a few years and will be a result mainly of the time factor. All big bucks were once little bucks.

RE: When and what to plant?
 

Ray,
There is no quick fix when it comes to QDM. Timbercruiser hit the mail on the head about deer age and genetics. Providing a good yearround nutritional source of protein and letting the younger smaller(1, 2 and 3 1/2 yr old ) deer walk will allow you to get the maximum out of the genetics in your area.
If your property is not very large and there is hunting on the neighboring properties, it may be very hard to control the age of the surviving deer unless your neighbors agree to let the younger deer walk also.

RE: When and what to plant?
 

Ditto the above... As far as planting, you will need to do a soil sample for each plot you want to plant. Also, take a post hole digger and dig down about 18 inches or so. This will let you know what you soil is like beneath the top soil. It is not uncommon to have a good layer of top soil for 4-8 inches and have sand beneath it. This must be taken into consideration. The geographic area you are in will also dictate when and what you may or may not plant. Next you will need to measure the are to be planted and start fallowing the soil of weeds and grasses. The better you work the soil of the pest type growth the better your plot will be in the long run and the longer it will last. Also, you will want to watch for future weather conditions. If a drought is predicted we would suggest that the soil be worked and wait until the next planting season, unless you can afford to loose the money on the seed purchesed. Waiting will allow yu time to work the soil and let the lime, if needed, to do it's thing in the soil.... Don't be in a hurry to fail.... This board and others like it have a great deal of free and good info, use it!!!