Chicory Success
 

I have a 2 year old stand of Evolved Habitats Pro-Graze, mixed with a Biologic blend, both with Chicory. The deer have been keeping the chicory mowed down since the end of August. Once the chicory gets to a certain stage, they take down to the ground. They did not touch it at all last year and we mow this plot 3/4 times a year. Deer have always hit this plot, but have neglected the chicory in the past!?! I' m going to try a Tecomote Chicory only patch next year. Anyone else notice their chicory being hit like this??

RE: Chicory Success
 

Chicory is a good choice for food plots. It is very drought resistant. Im not sure on preference in your area, but I imagine deer will really go after the stuff when there is a rain shortage. It may not be the first choice with the deer if the weather is cooperating, they may lean towards clover, etc. Being in OH, and snow I would presume, plant some Brassicas. They become a favorite once the grounds frosts.

RE: Chicory Success
 

I' d like to see a picture of the plot - Would you have one - I' d consider it in the future possibly.

Glad to hear its worked well for you.

RE: Chicory Success
 

Farmhunter, Im unable to provide a picture on the net! Its about 12 inches tall and spans about 4-5 inches, when not browsed. This year we had soybeans around my grandpa' s woods. The mixed chicory plot borders the field and just inside the woods. In the field as soon as the beans were picked, we planted three plots of Buck Forage Oats, Biologic Whitetail Addiction and Pennington Annual Supreme. Quick growth, but the deer are mostly hitting the freshly picked corn fields. Seems to be no particular preference of 5 different plots at this time, due to the corn.

RE: Chicory Success
 

Corn will always through a wrench in a fall plot - unless you leave it standing - Then the deer tend to leave it alone longer - sooner or later though - it becomes the #1 food source.

We have the same issue on ours - the neighbor is chopping corn (last 2-3 weeks) the deer just flock to it looking for the waste grain before snow flies.

I video taped a doe feeding on the cut corn - with the tractor still in veiw as it travled down the rows last weekend. She came out of the field where she was bedded. That night we had 3 deer - 1 doe & 2 fawns on all of out plots combined (20 acres approx) - things will even out though in the next couple weeks.

good luck this fall.