Hunting -vs- Feeding Plot....

dogdoc · October 8, 2005

Here is a little article I wrote a couple years ago--just thought I'd share it.

There are 2 types of food plots---Feeding plots and Hunting plots.

Feeding plots are large food plots that are capable of producing large quantities of wildlife forage. These plots should be easily to get to and work, bringing in large amounts of seed, fertilizer, lime, and equipement. These plots should be large enough to withstand heavy browsing.

Hunting plots are smaller plots designed for the sole purpose of hunting. These small plots should be irregular in shape and highly attractive. Hopefully attractive enough to get regular daylight use. Hunting plots should be more secluded---completely surrounded by cover---deer will like to use the smaller plots as a staging area before heading to the larger feeding plots at dark.

I like to make my hunting plots shaped like a "V" or "U". I will place a couple stands so I can hunt various wind directions. Try to arrange your plot so that you can get to the plot without spooking the deer. If the wind in your area is mostly out of the north during the hunting season then place the bottom of the "V" or "U" to the south. The bottom of the "V" and "U" is where the bucks like to hang out---they can see the entire plot from this location, which in return makes a great place for a stand.

Making your hunting plot can be fun---grab a sharp chainsaw, bottle of gatorade, and a good pair of gloves and get to work. Start cutting the trees and make a nice opening that will get some good sunlight. If you can just get about 3 hours of sunlight a day in the plot you can grow some good food. Position the trees that you cut down on the edge of the hunting plot---leave openings that will force the deer to enter your plot where you want them too.

After the clearing, spray the area really well with roundup to kill all existing plants---respray in one month. Now you are ready to plant. There are 2 ways to plant---no-till and till. You can till the ground with a garden rototiller or an ATV with a small disc. With the no-till I like to spread the seed during a nice soft rain. The ground is wet which will help the seed stick to the ground, and as the rain continues to fall this will bury the seed. I have had a lot of success with no-till seeding during a rain. Just be sure to clear the plot from years of falling leaves so the seed can make contact with the soil.

Ok--you have the land cleared, existing vegetation dead, the only other recommendations I would make is to apply pelleted lime at a rate of 300#/acre and triple 13 fertilizer at a rate of 250#/ acre. So, if your hunting plot is 1/4 acre---apply a fourth of those quantities.

Seed choice is up to you---I like quick producing annuals for my hunting plots---they get up in a hurry and are highly attractive.

good luck

todd

October 8, 2005