BuckNrut Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I have a "clover" hunting plot that started out great, but the deer keep tearing it up and the clover never really gets established. I'm now thinking of planting a fall annual that will sustain heavy foraging. This is a wooded area with limited (3-4 hours) sunlight. The PH is 6.8 to 7.2. The soil drains well. The area is remote so I am limited to hand tools. Your educated suggestion is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 To help get some of the plots I have get started, I used plastic kids pinwheels, around the plot to scare off wildlife until it could sustain foraging. Cheap watch dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 This is a wooded area with limited (3-4 hours) sunlight. Not too sure how any brassicas would do in low light. There are some shade tolerant clovers and some shade blends out there. Might be better off to try a mixture of grains. I know rye grain will grow in those conditions pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckNrut Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Nice ideas guys. I don't any pin wheels, but how about a scarecrow dressed in hunter orange? I'll contact a local seed company and ask about rye and shade tolerant clover. Will keep Y'all posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 rye grain, like wtnhunt suggested, is a good choice. I've had good luck with red clover in remote low sunlight areas. I'll take a rake and clean as much of the debris off the ground and kind of scratch up the surface--then broadcast it right after or even better during a good rain or on muddy ground when more rain is expected. The rain will help cover the seed giving better germination. You won't have much luck if you just toss the seed on dead leaves and branches. best of luck with your plot todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sabotmaker Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 From your description you have may an over-utilization problem. If that is so you will have great difficulty creating any sustainable forage. It may boil down to: too many deer or not enough foodplot. Personally I would rather deal with "not enough food plot" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckNrut Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 The deer are definately a problem Sabot. State wide the numbers are coming down, but here in 8H they are not. Doe permits are UP again this year (got 2 myself). Also, this plot sits on the edge of a late soy bean field (to the west). The bedding area is about 200 yds to the east. Last week it looked like the deer plowed for me in some spots. This is an hour-glass shaped plot that runs east/west. On the south edge there is a 6-inch maple - I think its coming down the next time I'm out there. By contrast, I have a Secret Spot plot about 500 yds away. It's 3' wide and 12' long. It sits on the edge of a corn field, gets regular deer trafic, yet is still 12" tall and thick. So, sunlight also makes a difference - it's a double whammy. Fortuneately, I always like a challenge. Let's see what Higbies (local seed company) has to say about red clover and rye grain... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckNrut Posted August 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 Well I made it to Hibies today. Nice folks btw. Bought some winter rye, buck wheat, and red clover to mix in a 12-4-1 ratio respectively. Now we just need some rain. Will also use the clover to give my veggie garden a much needed nitrogen boost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 the buckwheat is not winter tolerant. It will die on the first good frost. Regular wheat is a much better choice--however the buckwheat will give some early attraction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 I agree with sabotmaker, You have too many deer using too small of a food source. Deer are selective in what they eat and will target foods that are in season at different times. I don't think a cover crop will help. If you have a hot food source, they will eat it till its gone. I personally wouldn't place noise makers or such devices in plots I want to hunt in or around either. You want the deer to feel secure all the time in that area. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckNrut Posted September 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 Update with pics Well, I went to clear a tree or two but decided the effort would be futile (that's "won't work" for you rednecks:)). So, I decided to create a new plot just a few steps away where there was knee-high vegitation. The original view looked something like this... After clearing brush, saplings ect. I raked up the ground well, and planted "Easy Plot" a throw & grow fall annual intended for the hunting season. After two weeks the plot looks like this: Here is a close-up of the veggies... Here is a view from my treestand... I also gave my "Secret Spot" patch another shot of fertilizer. Here is the SS patch where I arrowed two deer last year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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