NEED advice

[wildohio22]

ok ill lay it out ive never had to worry about deer management until now. the farm next to my uncles where i hunt quit growing there crops last year(they're giving their daughter the 7 acres to build a house on) and the deer arent growing like they used to. last year i saw a 8 pointer with a nice rack that i let go because he looked to young and small. this year same deal and same for a couple other deer. ive only been able to get a doe that was a nice size. this year they look like they barely grew. i was wondering if there was anything i could grow on the forest floor in the woods since theres nothing in the field anymore, because from what ive seen on this forum everyones foodplot is in a clearing or field.

[Patriot1]

ive grown a couple wood plots before, and most turned alright. You should look at some of the no-plow varieties that are out there. You need to make sure there is suffient light and the seed can have good soild contact. Debris and leaves need to be rake off as much as possible. Also consider planting winter rye, it will grow about anywhere.

[Wildman18]

Some of the no plow will sprout but if the deer brows on it to much with the lack of light it may not grow quick enough and be eaten to the ground. Patriot Did yours grow well? If you have logging roads or fairly wide trails clover or something shade tolerant or no plow stuff will work. You could selective cut some of your woods. This would open up the canopy get rid the oaks and other nut producers competition. This would in turn allow the understory brush to produce some food or you could put in low or other plot stuff depending on the amount of light.

Remember early and late spring's young growth is what promotes antler growth. Its high in nutrients and essential to development. That's what it sounds like you may be lacking. 2 years ago in Cincinnati we had a bad drought not the one in the summer but in May we had a bad drought. I think it had some effects on the development that year. This year was great young growth everywhere. I would bet if the #'s were plugged in on size from year to year. My theory is that this year had a higher avg. size per buck than last year by quit a bit. Good luck I hope I helped.

[wildohio22]

yea that helps thanks alot brother:idea: