Food Plots??

[black duck 1]

I am wanting to plant a food plot in the woods where I hunt, and was wondering if anyone here has any advice? The property has been cut about 4 years ago and some small growth has started re-growing. I have fairly sandy soil and was looking @ some of the whitetail institute products. I have called them and have been very helpful!! I have always heard clover was a good food source but was wondering if I should mix it with anything.

We are in the middle of the Eastern Shore, so our wx conditions can be all over the road, drought, flooding, heat and freezing cold!!

This is going to be a project for my 5 year old and daddy, he wants to go hunting with me so this will be a good way for us to get in the woods and share time together.

Thanks,
Jay

[Buckeye]

How Big is it?
If it's to small and they like it they will over graze it quick.
1st soil sample ph is everything!! or your just throwing fertilizer away.
Is it going to be a FOOD PLOT or a KILLING PLOT?
Round up! NAPAUM it first! no sense feeding weeds.
If your going to plant clover I suggest mixing 25% cickory into it. Very drought resistant and over graze resistant and has good digestable protien level.
Food plotting is like farming it ain't easy!

[black duck 1]

Thanks for the reply!

It's gonna be bout 2- 1/2 acre plots and a 1/4 acre plot. I hope they turn into killing plots!! but right now its for my son and I to get in the woods and have some fun time together. I have got the soil tested and PH is low so I am going to put alot of lime down, after I till the soil up.

I have talked to the people @ whitetail institute and the recommend their brand of herbicides but I was wondering if they are different than round-up. I am going to use Imperial Chicory Plus which has clover mixed in to the chicory. I have the tools to keep this project fun for my son and I, and really looking forward to it.

[BTH284]

A one acre plot can support 5 deer with all they need 24/365. Anything more than that keep is subject to overgrazing like Mark said.One way to get around that is plant more per acre that recommended. Just be sure to lime and or fertilize accordingly.

You can also get seed from the last year for cheaper and plant twice as much if the seed certificate is certified with a good germination rate from the previous year.


If you do a rotational plot in that area I would suggest buck forage oats in the fall and winter and cow peas in the spring summer if your weather and season condtions are similar to NE eastern NC.. If it is a clover style plot make sure you do a soil test clover is a muther to get to take off in a plot. Then also cultipack the clover after you sow or it is all for not.

If you can get roundup ready seed to that can be a big plus.

PM SHUNT if you have any questions. He is the plot freaking master! Also, any co share programs available to you in your area through your wildlife branch? Most will cost share with you 75% as long as you put everything together first, then they inspect and if it meets the agreed criteria they re imburse 75% here in NC on the WHIP program.

[Buckeye]

Nothing wrong with whitetails stuff, but herbiside is herbiside! The basic chemicals are all the same. I use Generic Roundup 41% Gyl same as name brand @ 1/2 cost Same for broad leaf and grass herbisides. Whitetail's stuff can be as much as 5 times the $$$$ for the exsact same stuff because the put their name on it. The QDMA web site has a food plot forum with alot of good info.

Ray Scott is marketing master! He made Milliions off of BASS and is now making more off of Whitetail Institue.
It's good stuff, just a very expensive label.

[Buckeye]

If it's going to be for mostly hunting you may want something like a turnip, rape, winterpea or oats planted late to mature during hunting season. Clover makes a good all season food source but frost will knock it back.

2 1/2 acres you may even conside dividing it into 2 or more different strips. divirsity is good too.