Slobby, check out this link for info on herbicides: http://www.qdma.com/articles/details.asp?id=12

QDMA has a lot of other great articles about Food Plots and other issues.

Cliff, btw clovers are nitrogen fixing plants. So I don't understand your point about lespadeza.

All the other suggestions are good; lespadeza (VA 70 and korean, avoid bicolor), all types of clovers, winter wheat, timothy grass (and other cool season grasses), vetch, turnips, corn, soybean, alfalfa, honeysuckle, don't forget other options like apple, plums, pears, chestnuts *they LOVE those and each tree makes about 500-800 lbs a year*, pecans, crabapples) ask your local biologist or ag. rep what works best in your area. Look for sales. I've got a nice batch of Biologic that I bought on clearance at Walmart last year. Also, in VA the local Ag office has free wildlife seed mixes each spring (about 10 pounds) for local landowners, check with your agency to see if they offer the same.

RYE

I have a feeling you are not talking a large property - and that you probably cannot maintain in the spring/summer months. - If I'm wrong look into a clover/rye alternate planting schedule.

Otherwise - Rye is easy - cheap - offers excellent carbohydrates as long as the snow is less than 1 ft - has natural weed suppression, and grows fast.

planting PA - Late August/Early September - You will not be disappointed with Rye.

Mossy Oak Biologic Full Draw. I planted a 1/4 acre of this stuff 50 yards from my house on the edge of the field. My intent was to do a little experiment. I didn't plant until mid-Sep and it's still growing after 2 light frosts. I can't keep the deer off it. Tonight I looked out the window and there were 13 does, a button buck and a spike eating it. There were 14 does out there last night. 3 days ago I took a huge 8 point from my dining room window on the patch. He was out there with 7 does. Keep in mind that this is only 1/4 acre planted. My buddy has Imperial Whitetail clover on the same property and the deer pass by it to go to my food plot. We've tried everything, on the farm over the last 10 years, including natural crops, vegetables, grasses and the food plot seeds from every manufacturer. Nothing seems to draw em in like the Biologic. I've got a huge 8 point to prove it.