For the food plot guys...

[bowhunter1023]

If you don’t like food plots, that is your prerogative. Keep your comments to yourself. I trust the moderators will do their best to keep this a productive thread.

This time of year there are a lot of questions out there about food plots. What to plant? What affect does the soil pH have on my plot? What is the best way to break up the ground? Where to plant? I too have asked myself all of these questions at one point in time or another. I am by no means an expert on food plots. I am a weekend warrior with limited experience. I thought I would post my experiences for those guys that are looking to plant but feel overwhelmed by the task in front of them much the same as I did just a few short weeks ago. This post is my attempt to help out other members who are looking for suggestions and a direction to go with their food plots.

I’ll warn you now, this will get long... Seed choice for me was an easy decision. We have 20 acres of corn to the North of our property. I knew I would have to compete with this so I chose a product that would have high palatability. I planted Tecomate Ultra Forage which has turnips, brassicas, and rapes. Once we get a frost, the sugars in these plants will cure and the deer will pull the plants up to eat the now super sweet bulbs. Turnips and brassicas are hearty plants and take root in marginal soil, so I planted a 50/50 of turnips and brassicas on my second plot.

I choose to plant hunting plots since the neighboring farmer has taken care of the destination feed fields. My first plot is located on the same ridge as the corn field and lies in the middle of an oak flat. This flat lies between two fingers that funnel deer through my plot whether they are coming from an inside corner of the corn to the West, or a nearby bedding are to the East, and just 50 yards South of the corn.

My second and third plots are located near stands that provided a prefect spot to plant, but were marginal stands to begin with. I hung both for NE/E/SE winds. Both have great visual range so I hoped to use them to decoy and rattle out of during the rut, and to use as gun stands for muzzleloader. I planted/planned small plots that are within bow range of both stands.

I have always wanted to plant food plots in the past but have never had the necessary equipment. I was lucky enough to be given a disc this year that had served its purpose to the original owner. He made it out of a larger disc. All it cost me was a 1 ½ drive to get it. Check consignment auctions for cheap equipment. You can find the stuff you need to do these plots for next to nothing. I bought a $7 hand seeder at Wally World and borrowed my parent’s lawn roller. A weedeater, rakes, and a 4-wheeler or tractors are a must in my opinion as well.

This is what it took to get 3 plots on my 80 acres. It took us a total of 10 hours to create and plant my big plot, and a total of 7 hours to carve out and plant the smaller two. I have $75 in seed, lime, and fertilizer. It cost me $50 in gas to get the disc and $10 to make a couple of minor repairs. The seeder was $7. I had the rake, weedeater, roller, and 4-wheeler. Lunch, dinner, and beer for my buddies who helped cost me $30. All told I spent $180 to plant 3 food plots.

Now how we did it. Here is what we were dealing with on my larger plot and one of the smaller plots:

From the stand on the larger plot:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0779.jpg

From the back of the larger plot:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0781.jpg

The area we carved the smaller plot out of:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0864.jpg

Over the winter we cut down 3 trees on the larger plot to open up the area and allow more sunshine to reach the ground. We started by weedeating both plots to the ground and then raked them to remove the grass. Then we took the disc to both plots for a few minutes. Then we raked the plot again to remove more of the weeds and debris. Then we piled 400 lbs. of weight on the disc and began to tear up the ground.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0795.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0872.jpg

After discing:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0855.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0853.jpg

After that we picked out the rocks and started to lay down the lime and fertilizer. I limed and fertilized to the rate written on the back of the seed package. Next year I will do a soil test, but I just didn’t get it down this year. After we laid down the lime and fertilizer, we seeded and rolled.

What we used:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0860.jpg

And when we were finished, we had two very nice hunting plots. On the larger one, I cut 3 water breaks to help with wash out. The red dot in the last picture is my stand placement on the second plot.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0862.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/100_0877stand.jpg

Hopefully this helps a few people that are thinking they would like to plant but don’t have the equipment, or are just scared to try it. I was in the same position 3 weeks ago. I got lucky with the disc and went from there. I am sure I made mistakes. But I will learn from them, and I will pass them along when I figure them out. Good luck and if decide to try this route, take pictures please!

[Buckmaster]

Sound nice but I can't view the pics.

I have 4 plots equating to about 3 acres of food plots on our 100 acres.
2 are new and 2 are 1 year old. I have about $ 600.00 invested (seed, lime, fertilizer, spray, etc.) this year less gas expense. My wife doesn't like food plot season due to the expense.

[OHBOW76]

Hey bowhunter1023,

Nice work with the food plots, and great pictures and explanations of what went into them. I hope you kill a slammer over one of them this year, it will make all that hard work well worth it.

Just a few comments, they say that the soil test is worth its weight in gold and knowing the results can make or break a food plot, why did you decide to take the risk and forgoe taking the littel time it takes to do this??

Also the last picture you posted of the small food plot in the larger field, have you thought about allowing the grass around it to grow a little instead of keeping it mowed down. It seesm to me that it would potentially make the deer using it feel more secure, as well as keep the view of the plot form a distance obscured (in case its visible from a road??).

[bowhunter1023]

Hey bowhunter1023,

Nice work with the food plots, and great pictures and explanations of what went into them. I hope you kill a slammer over one of them this year, it will make all that hard work well worth it.

Just a few comments, they say that the soil test is worth its weight in gold and knowing the results can make or break a food plot, why did you decide to take the risk and forgoe taking the littel time it takes to do this??

Also the last picture you posted of the small food plot in the larger field, have you thought about allowing the grass around it to grow a little instead of keeping it mowed down. It seesm to me that it would potentially make the deer using it feel more secure, as well as keep the view of the plot form a distance obscured (in case its visible from a road??).

Thanks OHBOW76. I didn't do a soil sample on the big one because I did one last year and I kinda knew where it stood. I was at 6.3 last year. We added 80lbs. of pelletized lime to it. The second one was just planted on a whim. I really have no expectations for it. The disc worked better than I expected so I thought I would plant until I ran out of seed or I broke the disc. All I have in it at this point is my time.

You cannot see that field from the road. The hay field above it obscures the view. I can sneak down through the field and peak through a break in the fence line and watch this field from 60 yards. Dad mowed it for the first time since we have owned it (October 05) last month. I hadn't planned on planting there, or I would have told him not to mow it.

[So. Ohio Outfitters]

Nice post...I love to see a well thought out thread. I'm partial to small plots anyways, and I think they produce bigger bucks more readily when hidden in woods or cover around. The bucks feel way more safe. I like your choice of seed as well, this is what I'm personally going to use in about 3 to 4 weeks. Planting in late august for your fall plots is usually ideal, but it shouldn't hurt you any planting these right now with as much moisture as were're seeing....this has been one of the mildest summers I can remember for a while. The food plots are doing well. You might luck out and have good results, but you'll know for next year...hard work and persistence pays off..

[buckstar25]

You know 1023 that a Polaris bike would have looked a whole lot better pulling that disc.......:whistle::bonk: J/K, I run a Polaris 325 magnum, really though did your bikes have any problem pulling? I need to go over my logging roads again, I have the disc, but we sold the tractor. I am wondering if the old 325 has enough cahones to pull the disc.

[bowhunter1023]

You know 1023 that a Polaris bike would have looked a whole lot better pulling that disc.......:whistle::bonk: J/K, I run a Polaris 325 magnum, really though did your bikes have any problem pulling? I need to go over my logging roads again, I have the disc, but we sold the tractor. I am wondering if the old 325 has enough cahones to pull the disc.

Not sure about anything Polaris :whistle: Its still running :mischeif: J/K of course. To each his own right? Anyways, no the 420 did not have a bit of a problem. I had it in 4x4 when my buddy was sitting on the disc. But we were going 2 mph in 1st gear just to tear it up. After that I was in high 2nd gear and in 2x4 just getting it. I pulled that disc which weighs around 300lbs, plus 200lbs of extra weight, plus 100lbs of fertilizer, plus 120lbs of lime, plus a 12 pack up a nasty hill to my food plot. Those new 420's in 4x4, 1st gear and the ITP Mudlites AT's I invested in, they will do anything and go anywhere.

[Steve]

Nice job and nice pictures. I only wish I had that kind of topsoil where my plot is. If you go down more than a couple of inches you run into sand. I took the liberty of moving this thread into Whitetail Deer Habitat.

[Lucky]

Nice post!

[OhioHunter88]

Looks good jesse, I hope that if any one still has any questions they post them so we can all help out, i will have to get some pics up of the food plot we did with the 4-wheelers,well ok we had to use the tractors to run the planter and plow, but the 4-wheeler's do most of the work, also maybe planting one or two more here real soon, the powerline guys cleared for me, well for the powelines but i may take advantage of it...

[Shed Head]

Buwhunter 1023: You don't know of anyone on your side of the river wanting to sell a disk? I'm looking for a 8'. Traded a survey for a disk and plow for a friend of my dad's but the disk has seen its last days. Seen one at Lemon's sat. afternoon on the way to Boone's to pick up Jeanne's bow, it looked a little used, need to check on the price. Been brush hoggin and spraying some plots for august plantings. Looks like you got a good start on yours. Hope your getting some of this hit or miss showers. If you know of any disk sent a PM.

[OhioHunter88]

shed head, hope you dont get mad because im not bowhunter1023, but if you have like an advertiser that tells about farm sales/estate auctions you can get a disk for next to nothing...

[Milo]

You know 1023 that a Polaris bike would have looked a whole lot better pulling that disc.......:whistle::bonk: J/K, I run a Polaris 325 magnum, really though did your bikes have any problem pulling? I need to go over my logging roads again, I have the disc, but we sold the tractor. I am wondering if the old 325 has enough cahones to pull the disc.

Be careful pulling anything too heavy with your polaris...those belts can't take the stress of a really heavy load...we almost burnt up a 500 ...anything more than what jesse has and you'll be asking for trouble in my opinion.

[Shed Head]

shed head, hope you dont get mad because im not bowhunter1023, but if you have like an advertiser that tells about farm sales/estate auctions you can get a disk for next to nothing...


Thanks for the info, I'll look into going that route

[Milo]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into going that route
shed head, also look at www.ytmag.com (http://www.ytmag.com) they have a classifieds section with implements...tractor prices are kinda high but sometimes a little BS and talkin can get you a good deal on implements.

[mullskinner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSX2SoBd1RE


:whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: ;) :coolgleamA:

[bowhunter1023]

They're growing :D This rain is really helping...

[buckstar25]

Hey bowhunter how are the plots comin? Haven't seen a post in a few days.

[stu192]

I've been looking for this post. I have a few acres in Hocking co. and want to put a small plot on it. I have a mixture of turnips and clover that I plan on planting soon. My dad's been speading clover and buckwheat seed by hand (for his own pleasure) through some of the pasture.

Thanks for thread, and keep us updated.

[bowhunter1023]

I got pics on my phone from yesterday, but the old lady had to take it because her phone is acting stupid. I will get them up ASAP. They don't look too bad. They won't be on the front of any bags, but there should be enough by the season to do the job. My big plot looks the best, but I have the same grass that grew last year in it. I can't get rid of that stuff. I lost alot of seed to washing last year. I dug those water breaks and it paid off. I lost a little with the first rain, but not near the damage as last year.

I got another plot going in soon. I will post pics of it and the others as soon as I can get them up.

[buckstar25]

Cool, have you been watching any of the shows on OLN? Kinda funny how stuff works, a lot of the programs are dealing with wildlife management and how the practice of management is "more than planting a food plot". That is a slogan for some solar powered electric fence, but it rings true. I took out the man killer on Saturday, WOW it was too damn hot to even attempt. I did and paid the price, we got a nice swath cut into the clearcut but that is about it.

[bowhunter1023]

I got a trail along a shelf I have wanted to hunt the past few years back on the 4th of July. I took a chainsaw and a weedeater and cut a 5ft. wide path 150 yards long down this shelf that connects to my sanctuary. Along the way is my mineral lick. I rode down it this weekend on the 4-wheeler and there were tracks everywhere. I dug a pit on the side of the hill for my ground blind cut and fill style. Got 3 shooting lanes and it looks like it will be a great spot all year round.

[buckstar25]

Amazing how the deer will use the trails that you open up. They will not expend any more energy than they have to. I have noticed that he deer are all concentrated around my creek bottom, They have the beans, the cover, and most important, the water. I want to post the trails in the bottoms, some of these things are 16" wide and like 2" deep, we saw 22 deer in a parcel that was no larger than 10 acres.

[10Gauge]

1023,

nice looking foodplot work! I saw your pics in "that other" thread and read some of the "misguided opinions" on foodplots there and it's great to see some of you guys are getting out and working hard in the woods, giving back to the habitat & wildlife! One key part of "foodplots", that most people don't understand, is the diversity they create which is GOOD for ALL wildlife not just deer & turkey.

Having been involved with "Habitat Improvement", "Deer Management" and "Food Plots" for about 10 years now it still amazes me that these topics can stir up so many emotions. Deer Management, regardless of whether you are talking Trophy or Quality Deer Management, requires both habitat improvement and in most cases food plots. We can do a lot to improve our existing habitat by clear-cutting, select harvest and fertilizing our native species (oak, beech, etc.), planting native warm season grasses, mowing and even control burns. Regardless of how much we improve the natural native vegetation, some managers will find they still need to increase the nutrition to the deer herd in order for it to reach maximum potential. While genetics plays a tremendous role in both buck & doe growth, proper nutrition is still the only guarantee that the deer are reaching their genetic potential. This is NOT just in reference to "Antler Growth" but in the doe's ability to grow, reproduce and lactate giving rise to a stronger offspring that will also reach his or her potential.

Ohio has been blessed with a lot of very good natural habitat that is conducive to growing a healthy and strong deer herd. This is especially true in Southern Ohio where the diversity of habitat was timber and small farms. "Deer Management" came about not ONLY as a means to grow "trophy" bucks but to improve deer numbers in states where whitetails did not have the forage the great state of Ohio has naturally. Food Plots became a valuable resource in Texas, Georgia and Alabama for improving deer numbers, increasing growth of both doe's and offspring and studies quickly showed antler growth could be increased with the right combinations of nutrients. I have heard many of my fellow hunters tell me "food plots" are not needed in Ohio and "our deer" have done fine without them and on one hand I can agree. However, on the other hand some deer, the land and landowners can benefit from the planting of food plots and I have seen this for myself first hand!

That's my 2 cents, good luck with your plots and I hope you get lots of rain the rest of the growing season! Just remember foodplots are addictive and nobody ever grew a monster buck in one season!:biggrin:

[deerhunt45]

Jesse,

I've been very interested in your progress and just been keeping quiet. Great topic to post and allow others to learn from your hard work and dedication.
Cool plan you got going...keep it up man http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif Great pics too. You can tell you really enjoy what you do!


While I don't own land to manage directly, (other than my house in the burbs :eek: ), I assist farmers and their agronomists with their fertilizer management for hundreds of acres of crops...that includes 40 acres, 30 acres and 10 acres of alfalfa respectively, (and just replanted last year :) ) that I'm particular to.
Do I hunt these "plots" ?



YOU BETCHA BROTHER!!! :bouncy:



;) :coolgleamA: :D

[bowhunter1023]

I fully intended on staying up with this thread, but I have spent the last week and a half finally moving out of my parents house. And my camera batteries are dead and I have no way of getting them charged until September. I took these pics on my phone so sorry for the crappy quality. I can see now that the rain did wash some of the seed away on my smaller plot. They will be good enough. There is plenty of time to grow between now and then too. I will get some better pics up in a week or so when I get my fiances camera.

My small plot...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/PIC-0016.jpg

My big plot...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/bowhunter1023/PIC-0017.jpg

[stumphole]

Jesse, Can't ya reseed the wash outs? They ought to catch up.

[bowhunter1023]

Jesse, Can't ya reseed the wash outs? They ought to catch up.

I did after the first rain. I was hesitant to do it again in case they were just lagging behind and I overseeded too heavy and choked everything out. I will wait until the last week of August or so and maybe throw down some more and see what happens.