Many Small, or A Few Larger??

[Guest tarbaby]

I have hunted the same creek bottom for 5 years now. The problem is that there isnt enough big timber to hold a lot of deer but it seems that 1 or 2 big bucks hang out there until the crops get cut. So the idea of planting food plots dawned on me to try to keep a few more deer in the area especially this year since every surrounding field within a couple of miles has been planted into beans. I have about a mile of creek bottom with another wooded ditch that runs into it so there is a bit to work with. I thought about asking the landowner if I could use little 'coves' of his fields or places that dont grow real well. Also a cut trail that he uses to get across the creek and a couple of spots where it wouldnt take much clearin to put a plot in the timber a bit. My question is should I go with many (I have about 7-8 in mind) plots about 1/4 acre or less, or a few larger ones of maybe 1/2 acre. I am wanting to do a mixture of ladino clover and chickory in some and some brassicas in some for late winter. I'm not real worried about hunting over these, I just want something for the deer mainly. The landowner is pretty nice about what I do while hunting but I just wanted to get a better picture on what I want to do before I talk to him about it. Also, is there something I could put in that will grow good in shaded areas with just spotty sun throughout the day?? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jason

[wtnhunt]

For feeding plots, think I would try to stick with a few larger plots instead of a bunch of little plots.

[mike]

would have to agree with william here. the small plots will get ate off rather quick. a bigger plot has a better chance of keeping up with demand

[rhine16]

If you're primary goal is to keep the deer around, I'd go with larger plots.