HammerTimeBagley Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I don't have a tractor or any means of large-scale cultivation. What are some good ideas for cheap turkey plots / things you can plant to bring them around. I know I could rent a tractor, but outside of that - anything you can do on a small scale ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 (edited) Start about three to two weeks before the season (here it's the month of May). Use a driven rototiller or a set of atv implements if either is possible. If not look into getting help from your DEC or forestry service to do a CONTROLLED burn. You only want to clear a plot with a 20 yard radius that's a half circle in shape. Setup a ground blind at the edge of it. Stack brush on three of the sides and open the whole front to view. Throw out a bag of oats and anything else you want. Take a good sized tree limb that you can grab and drag (use the atv if you want or need to) and drag it across the plot to lightly cover or seat the seeds. Toss out a little on top if you wish. The turkeys will use it to feed and what they don't get will grow for deer. The idea is a turkey anywhere in the plot is in range of a bow, youth gun with less knock-down power, or any other weapon used. - Dan Edited March 10, 2009 by dbHunterNY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Welcome to the forums. Guess it kind of depends a little on what will grow where you are when your season is in. Clovers and trefoil are super draws for birds here later on in the year, but not so much in April when the season is in. Chickory is another plant that birds like and as far as I know they will eat pretty well any type of grain. Not any help for this year, but a plot of winter wheat or winter rye grain left standing into season should be a good early draw for birds and are pretty easy to plant since both will grow well without having the best soil. Have also heard that chuffas and peanuts are great plants for turkeys, but have no experience with either and could not tell you how easy they are to grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darron Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 I know here in Ohio, right now is a bad time to plant because we still have temps below 32 at night. We often get these temps in turkey season as well. Yesterday I went down and disced in lime on my two plots in preparation for this summer. After discing in the lime, I walked back through the plots and the amount of insects I saw was crazy! I seen worms, various small bugs, catipillers, etc. I am sure turkeys will benefit from just disturbing the soil. Plus, when it does warm up, I'm sure I'll get some green growth in there as well. I was thinking about planting something in there, but A) nothing will mature by the time turkey season starts B) I'll be tilling these plots in July so it would be a waste of money. I'll just leave them disced and it should provide some great bugging areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Tough to plant something early spring that will do anything for turkey season. What I would do is mow a big area and even lightly disc it. This will promote growth of lots of native forbs that the turkeys will feed on. It will also attract lots of insects which will also attract the turkeys. The open area will also attract toms as a strutting area. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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