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Post by michaelc on Dec 29, 2019 8:48:11 GMT -5
I've been kicking this idea around about putting in a food plot at the HNF. Last year there was 3 food plots in the HNF where I hunt, but it seems that nobody took care of them this year as they are over grown. Is there a law against doing this or do I need to contact IDNR to find out more information?
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Post by schall53 on Dec 29, 2019 14:58:30 GMT -5
Remember if you build it they will come. If you put all the work and money into it, you will have every Tom, Dick, and Harry that finds it hunting it.
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Post by michaelc on Dec 29, 2019 15:14:33 GMT -5
Remember if you build it they will come. If you put all the work and money into it, you will have every Tom, Dick, and Harry that finds it hunting it. There are already 4 plots there, but they are over grown and now are bedding areas. I've got 4 different spots I'd like to put plots in, and getting equipment in there is impossible. I was going to use garden rakes and a non powered cultivator to work the ground and use Throw and Grow with miracle grow. The closest spot is about 1000 yards from where we park so it's gonna be tough either way. |
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Post by swilk on Dec 29, 2019 16:49:10 GMT -5
I'd say you'd create a nice middle of the night feeding area for the deer...
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Post by willy7948 on Dec 29, 2019 16:50:03 GMT -5
I've been kicking this idea around about putting in a food plot at the HNF. Last year there was 3 food plots in the HNF where I hunt, but it seems that nobody took care of them this year as they are over grown. Is there a law against doing this or do I need to contact IDNR to find out more information? I think it’s a great idea if you’re willing to hike/ be fairly careful no one knows you’re out there. From what I’ve observed , most of the hunters in hnf don’t tend to make it near 1000 yards from the truck lol (that seems to go for most public hunting land that I’ve witnessed ). If you have the ability (and someone to pick up/drop off) pick a spot that doesn’t have parking to go in/out. People tend to look where trucks are today, and park there next time it’s free , assuming it’s a decent spot. That also gives you the opportunity to be further away from other hunting pressure and helps eliminate hunters walking in on each other. |
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Post by duff on Dec 29, 2019 17:32:12 GMT -5
If the food plots were hunter made, there is probably a reason they abandoned them.
I know the HNF do maintain some wildlife plots but far from what most think of a food plot.
Call the office and ask them what you can do. My guess is not much...legally. I have known guys who would fertilize certain oak and persimmon trees to help what is already established. They were not worried about asking and were not bragging about it.
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Post by medic22 on Dec 29, 2019 17:32:31 GMT -5
Im sure HNF it's the same way, but you cannot legally do that on state ground without the property managers permission.
In my experience, youre much better suited to hunt back off these plots anyway on public ground, deer tend to stage on the outskirts till after dark.
On another point, I have never killed a deer more that 200 yards from a road on public ground. You dont always need to go 1000 yards to kill deer.
And I guess I dont understand why you would want to take a perfectly good bedding area and turn it into food. Food is just a reason for them to be somewhere, if they are bedding there, then they already have that.
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Post by coaldust on Dec 29, 2019 20:56:45 GMT -5
I doubt you would be able to work & maintain a real food plot on HNF ground. Its not that easy. Lot more to it than some throw & grow in march.
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Post by michaelc on Dec 30, 2019 7:50:37 GMT -5
Y'all have some really good points and I appreciate the responses. I get back that far in there because the hunters who hunt there have the 1st 200-300 yrds occupied with stands already. So I slip around and past them because that seems to be where the deer go when the bullets start flying. As for the food plots now turned bedding area's, I don't think I would want to disturb them as they are obviously comfortable there of they wouldn't bed there. I just want to create some small hard to get to plots by some very small water holes and thicket areas. I feel they already have the cover of the thicket and a water supply so why not better an opportunity and create a food source as well.
I know I probably won't be able to do it, but give me an "A" for trying 😆.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 30, 2019 8:39:57 GMT -5
Illegal without property manager's permission and I'm about 99.99% sure illegal on HNF and will not be granted permission.
Now, I'd be HOPING and praying those abandoned plots (I suspect state staff put in) remain fallow and early successional growth occurs and thickens. Food and cover...amazing things to have.
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Post by michaelc on Dec 30, 2019 10:01:31 GMT -5
I didn't really think every avenue through when I created this topic obviously. I've never messed with food plots but I understand that its a lot of time and work. There's some small open areas 20-30 yrds from those areas that were once upon a time plots, that would be ideal to try out. And yes, with it being Government ground I'm sure it would be impossible to do, but I wanted others input on this as well and so far I've got mixed reviews. I don't and will not do anything to jeopardize my privilege to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. I did go to the Ask The Conservation Officer segment and I'm awaiting a reply from that as well. Might be the same answer as you and some others have given me. I'm not new to deer hunting, but I am new to hunting State Ground and what you are and aren't allowed to do there.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 30, 2019 10:11:00 GMT -5
I have hunted Hoosier National quite a few times...place is AWESOME. Lower deer densities than I'm used to but incredible experience to those desiring big woods hunting.
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Post by esshup on Dec 30, 2019 10:20:31 GMT -5
Food plots are more work than people realize, it's not just a matter of exposing soil, throwing seeds down and walking away for the rest of the growing season.
While you can do that, I'd bet that success will be very limited.
What I believe is needed for a successful food plot.
Soil test
lime/fertilize to make up any shortcomings
kill weeds/plants
expose dirt for seed to soil contact
Wait 2-3 weeks, kill all new growth
expose dirt for seed to soil contact
plant seeds at proper depth, compact soil
Pray for rain
Kill weeds
Pray for rain
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Post by omegahunter on Dec 30, 2019 10:39:20 GMT -5
I've been kicking this idea around about putting in a food plot at the HNF. Last year there was 3 food plots in the HNF where I hunt, but it seems that nobody took care of them this year as they are over grown. Is there a law against doing this or do I need to contact IDNR to find out more information? I talk to Ron @ Bedford office of HNF some through work. On the side we discuss hunting the HNF and our talks turned to this exact subject one time when I made him aware of some continued atv traffic that I had come across back in the sticks. He had passed that info on to a CO and the owner of the atv trail(s) was contacted and it also led to discovery of food plots and permanent stands. Ron never did find out what all the offender was ticketed with. Lesson: if it is not your property, ask the owner/manager before you do anything. |
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Post by michaelc on Dec 30, 2019 15:39:04 GMT -5
I've been kicking this idea around about putting in a food plot at the HNF. Last year there was 3 food plots in the HNF where I hunt, but it seems that nobody took care of them this year as they are over grown. Is there a law against doing this or do I need to contact IDNR to find out more information? I talk to Ron @ Bedford office of HNF some through work. On the side we discuss hunting the HNF and our talks turned to this exact subject one time when I made him aware of some continued atv traffic that I had come across back in the sticks. He had passed that info on to a CO and the owner of the atv trail(s) was contacted and it also led to discovery of food plots and permanent stands. Ron never did find out what all the offender was ticketed with. Lesson: if it is not your property, ask the owner/manager before you do anything. I agree with that. I was raised an old fashion way and the 1 thing my older family taught me is this, " If you choose to live off the land, respect it and it will show respect back to you ". I think I'm just gonna get the food plot idea out of my head and just be happy with what has been blessed to me. |
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Post by griswold on Dec 30, 2019 16:55:32 GMT -5
Its a good thought. I hunt private land that borders government land and have hunted government a lot over the years too. Most of this ground is big woods and not close to any beans or corn - so it seems like a small food plot would give the deer, turkey and anything else a supplement to their diet and also a reason to draw them to the area.
Thing that concerns me is messing with the government land. I knew a guy that owned some land bordering the government in Kentucky. He got confused on his property line and cut down a couple trees that were on the government side and had to go to court and pay a fine. That's for the birds - not worth it.
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Post by span870 on Dec 31, 2019 6:36:28 GMT -5
Here's my thoughts, agree or not. I'm going to assume a WHOLE bunch here so...
If you're not using atv's or any wheeled equipment
If you're not using any powered equipment ie. discs or Harrow's
If you're not cutting trees
If you're not destroying anything, basically just using hand tools and using throw and go
Go ahead. You're not doing anything that takes away from said property and does benefit said wildlife, to a small degree as I believe you aren't going to have a whole bunch of success with what you're suggesting. Couple years of neglecting and it'll be back to former condition. But be aware. Someone will find it. Be prepared that someone else will be hunting it. A good plot or a placed tree stand or blind does not guarantee your saved spot. Someone will find it and hunt it. Would I waste the time? Nah. Hunting big woods all my life. Probably not going to get the success you imagine. Not that it ain't worth a try but be aware of the limited success it'll probably bring. If all things I assumed are true I'd doubt a c.o. would ticket.
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Post by duff on Dec 31, 2019 7:49:36 GMT -5
Probably more grow plots on HNF than food plots.
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Post by span870 on Dec 31, 2019 8:17:08 GMT -5
Do we count the mineral sights also. I know where there's one right now with a ladder stand over it that looks like a hog wallow. I mean I'm sure they remove all trace of minerals every year before they hunt it.😉😉😉
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Post by INhuntin on Jan 1, 2020 17:15:15 GMT -5
Instead of trying to put in a food plot why don't you do a little scouting & find out what natural source the deer in that area are feeding on. Then find the largest concentration of that food source to put your stand over it.
It would be a lot less work that hauling all that equipment in & out over 1000 yds, than if you only take in your stand to a food source that is natural & already there. Ooh did I mention legal too.
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