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Post by daviesshunter on Nov 25, 2010 10:00:11 GMT -5
We've (maybe 5 at one time) have a 10 acres spot we've been hunting for many years. According to our trailcams that we've started using the past 2 years, we are getting alot of deer activity -- especially during the night time -- but we don't believe we are holding the deer and they are moving thru quickly to the neighbors property which does have food plots & nice bedding ground. It is a solid woods with some nice honeysuckle areas, with crop land surrounding it. The crop land is not ours and is typically planted in corn every year. A few years ago, we did mow/create a roadway thru the property, but don't really maintain it at all. So, after a few years it has grown up and is in need of a good mowing once again. So, we've decided to mow it all down (again) and create our first food plots at the same time as a first step in creating a better deer habitat (and turkey too). I've been reading the other threads and have some great info on what & when to plant, but I'm not sure how the best way to plant it would be. Would you plant the different crops in strips along the entire roadway? Would you plant the different crops in clumps, leaving space between them along the roadway? Would you plant the different crops in clumps, but all together along the roadway? I'll include a snapshot of our hunting grounds. To the right, you can see the two roadways that we have created thru the grounds. The one roadway that is running north and south is actually the boundery between the neighbors woods (who don't hunt) and ours. We are discussing with them also the desire to use that roadway as well, if needed. Also, if anyone has any other comments or suggestions, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I know I'm a newbie here and right out of the box, I'm asking for help, but I do plan to actively participate on the board.  |
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Post by hornharvester on Nov 25, 2010 18:03:28 GMT -5
Unless you plan to use the roadway for travel I would plant the whole roadway. Find the areas that have the most sun available and plant the leafy crops, grasses such as wheat, oats and rye in the more shady spots.
You have to ask your self what time of the year you want the deer to eat in the plots? For summer use plant clovers, fall/early winter plant winter wheat, oats, rape and turnips.
If you are hanging stands on the roadway only plant the furtherest you plan on shooting. Rye grass in areas where stands aren't. I hope this is the info you wanted. h.h.
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Post by daviesshunter on Nov 25, 2010 19:12:18 GMT -5
Thank you, HH! The roadway would double as a travel corridor for the 4 wheelers when dragging deer out.
We want to create plots that are good for year round.
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Post by boonechaser on Nov 29, 2010 13:27:14 GMT -5
I would limit activity on roadways as this will compact ground. If you will be using quad's on road's I would probably not plant turnips/rape as they won't withstand the traffic. Clover/alfalfa mixes most will last 3 to 5 year's and can handle some traffic but regardless i would limit traffic as much as possible. Also would recommend heavy liming and fertilize as manu. label suggest. Winter wheat/oat's mixes are good in fall but again you will have to limit traffic on them. It appear's from photo that you may have a few area's big enough to keep quad's off. If so for hunting plot's turnip's are great and highly attractive to deer for bow and gun season . Good luck I enjoy putting my plot's out and the activity they provide is well worth the work.
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Post by throbak on Nov 29, 2010 16:09:58 GMT -5
dont waste your money on lime or fertilizer, without a soil test . alfalfa ,s fertilizer needs are more than you would want to spend to get a good crop. other clovers are easier on the pocket book
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Post by daviesshunter on Nov 29, 2010 16:37:27 GMT -5
I would limit activity on roadways as this will compact ground. If you will be using quad's on road's I would probably not plant turnips/rape as they won't withstand the traffic. Clover/alfalfa mixes most will last 3 to 5 year's and can handle some traffic but regardless i would limit traffic as much as possible. Also would recommend heavy liming and fertilize as manu. label suggest. Winter wheat/oat's mixes are good in fall but again you will have to limit traffic on them. It appear's from photo that you may have a few area's big enough to keep quad's off. If so for hunting plot's turnip's are great and highly attractive to deer for bow and gun season . Good luck I enjoy putting my plot's out and the activity they provide is well worth the work. I should have been more specific. The roadway would have a lane for the quads and for walking, so we won't be trampling any of our crop. Thanks for the suggestions. |
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Post by boonechaser on Nov 30, 2010 11:34:46 GMT -5
Yes agree you need a soil test. As fertilizer price's are high. Lime remain's pretty cheap. $5.00 50lb bag or so. Being you are in a wooded area soil ph level is probably really low so you are gonna need alot of lime. You are wasting your time and money on seed and fertilizer if you don't get your ph level up!!!
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Post by parrothead on Nov 30, 2010 15:39:57 GMT -5
I have started fert. with this composted chicken poop. It looks just like regular fert. and I think a 1000lb cost me 100 bucks. Get a soil test just had one done it was 7.50 or so.
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Post by daviesshunter on Nov 30, 2010 17:50:24 GMT -5
Where can I get soil testing completed?
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 11, 2010 15:47:59 GMT -5
Local Soil and Conservation office for county or Farm Bureau CO-OP's. I have a friend that does soil testing to supplement his farming income. He just dropped me off some bag's as I'm gonna have all my plot's retested. Fertilizer is just to expensive to waste.
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Post by daviesshunter on Dec 27, 2010 16:46:04 GMT -5
We've basically got our game plan together for where and what we're going to plant, but do have some questions on when to do the work.
We're thinking as soon as we can, we'll mow all the roadways off., along with creating some new areas as well. Then, should we immediately plant or wait until early spring time? We have the equipment to disc/plow. Is that the preferred method?
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Post by hornharvester on Dec 27, 2010 19:53:09 GMT -5
We've basically got our game plan together for where and what we're going to plant, but do have some questions on when to do the work. We're thinking as soon as we can, we'll mow all the roadways off., along with creating some new areas as well. Then, should we immediately plant or wait until early spring time? We have the equipment to disc/plow. Is that the preferred method? If you can do the plot prep now, plant in the spring. h.h. |
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Post by daviesshunter on Jan 29, 2011 15:36:56 GMT -5
Well...the weather hasn't been nice enough to get the equipment in, so we're still contemplating what we'll be planting. Based on feedback we've been getting, Evolved Habitat seems to come highly recommended for their product lines. Let me know your thoughts on this plan: I plan to plant the base of our perennial plots using the ProGraze, which is a blend of some perennials and annuals; brassica, forage clover & forarge chicory. store.evolved.com/home/products/harvest/perennials/prograze.aspxThen, I plan to spot plant our annual plots with MegaPlot, which contains forage oats and triticale, turnips & clovers. store.evolved.com/home/products/harvest/annuals/megaplot.aspxMy hope is that this combination of perennials and annuals will create a nice variety of plot areas for not only deer, but widelife in general. Along with these, the surrounding fields are planted in corn and we might actually sneak a row of beans next to the woods if the farmer gives us permission. |
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Post by throbak on Jan 29, 2011 22:33:46 GMT -5
if you aready have a plan what is your question  |
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Post by drs on Jan 30, 2011 7:08:32 GMT -5
dont waste your money on lime or fertilizer, without a soil test . alfalfa ,s fertilizer needs are more than you would want to spend to get a good crop. other clovers are easier on the pocket book VERY GOOD POINT!! Get your soil tested especially the pH of the soil, before buying lime or fertilizer. This will determine what you can grow, also maintain your stands of wild honeysuckle as this is very good Deer browse & also beneficial to other wildlife. Too many spend way too much money on food plots than is necessary.  |
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Post by daviesshunter on Jan 30, 2011 8:33:49 GMT -5
if you aready have a plan what is your question Ok...Mr. Wisearse LOL! Not really any questions...just wondered if anyone had any comments about the plan. |
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Post by daviesshunter on Jan 30, 2011 8:38:46 GMT -5
dont waste your money on lime or fertilizer, without a soil test . alfalfa ,s fertilizer needs are more than you would want to spend to get a good crop. other clovers are easier on the pocket book VERY GOOD POINT!! Get your soil tested especially the pH of the soil, before buying lime or fertilizer. This will determine what you can grow, also maintain your stands of wild honeysuckle as this is very good Deer browse & also beneficial to other wildlife. Too many spend way too much money on food plots than is necessary. We found a local guy that is going to do our testing for us to ensure the soil is good and what we need to maintain it, but we're very confident in the soil quality --- from a 4th generation farmer, my great uncle and grandfather sort of know these things just be looking.  But, we're going to get it tested anyways. The honeysuckle areas will not be harmed....right now they are being used heavily. The additional food plots are just an added bonus to help us maintain some herd draw to our property. |
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Post by drs on Jan 30, 2011 9:45:30 GMT -5
Sounds like you're "Good-To-Go", Randy! |
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Post by throbak on Jan 30, 2011 13:01:21 GMT -5
in Indiana Japanese Honeysuckle is listed as invasive and should be eradicated when found. there is money available to help with the eradication check with your NRCS. and there are better plants than invasives out there.
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Post by drs on Jan 30, 2011 13:10:47 GMT -5
in Indiana Japanese Honeysuckle is listed as invasive and should be eradicated when found. Hall's Japanese Honeysuckle, should be kept inbounds, but NOT entirely eradicated, as it is a very good wildlife food/cover plant. I've observed that Deer use & browse on Honeysuckle, especially in the Winter Months. |
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But, we're going to get it tested anyways.