dogdoc Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 I know this is more of a deer room but thought I'd show you some progress of my duck plot: My plan was around the first of July I would start broadcasting jap millet on exposed shoreline and every weekend I have been going back out and tossing more as evaporation exposed more shoreline. Well last week we got 4 1/2 inches of rain and it flooded all my millet underwater so I had to open the top drain to let some water out. The millet was underwater for about 48 hours and didn't get hurt at all. It actually created a few more mud flats and allowed me to broadcast some millet in a few open spots. Here is a pic of the pond about 60% full. I made a strip along the dam and planted a warm season wildlife deer/turkey mix. The tall sorghum makes a great natural blind during duck season. The water will rise about 1/2 way up the dam--which is covered with jap millet and quite a bit of barnyard grass and yellow foxtail: This is the shallow flat that when flooded with be about 12 to 18" deep. This area is loaded with jap millet as well as a lot of native plants such as purple ammannia, tooth-cup, yellow nuts-edge, smartweed, and foxtail. When completely full it will flood about 3 feet into the sorghum on the far right of the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 An area of very thick ammannia (good natural duck forage): I also transplanted a bunch of pondweed. I would say about 50% of the pondweed that I transplanted has survived. Hopefully I will get some seed production and it will be even thicker next year. I have little spots like this scattered around the pond. This was all transplanted from another pond on my dad's property. I also transpanted about 100 large smartweed plants from another old cattle pond. These plants are doing awesome. I think everyone I planted has survived. All I did was put them in the pond then pushed the roots down with my foot. Hopefully the ducks won't eat all the seeds and I'll get a bumper crop next year. It's been a lot of work but I am really excited for this years season. My pond has never been this full this late in the season. It will be the first time there will be enough water in it hunt it the first season. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Good luck,your pond looks good.I can't wait till duck season opens,it is my first year,I'm going with my brother.He should have been born one of the duck commanders sons.He loves duck&goose hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 That looks good Todd. I really need to work over our waterhole and redo where I was working on building a pond, only so much I can do with my tractor though, really need a backhoe for the tractor or better yet to have a medium sized trackhoe for about a week. Our ground in the bottom will never dry out this year. We should have tons of ducks down there this fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamp stalker Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Your plot looks good. If this is your first time planting jap millet, it needs very moist soil to grow 100%. Once it gets up about 6-8 inches it will grow in 4-6 inches of water. Also once it matures and seed starts to fall off try to flood more of it or all your seeds will sprout. Not to mention that the deer will hit it like nothing you have ever seen. Remember not to mow/disc any plots you hunt waterfowl in or brag around town. The GWs might try to call it baiting. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 swamp--this is my 3rd year with jap millet. Yep, the GW are pretty darn picky when it comes to food plots for ducks but I've got the regulations down! When I first built the pond for waterfowl I called and talked to the game warden--told them what I was doing and everything was legal. Unfortunately I have no way of flooding so I am totally dependant on mother nature to fill her back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilhnter Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 How late can you plant jap millet and it still be good for duck season? My buddy and I are thinking about planting some on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted August 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 How late can you plant jap millet and it still be good for duck season? My buddy and I are thinking about planting some on Monday. needs 45 to 60 days to mature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilhnter Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 We're planting it in Southwest Illinois, so 50 days or so would be around Oct. 1. So that would work then?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted August 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 We're planting it in Southwest Illinois, so 50 days or so would be around Oct. 1. So that would work then?? It all depends on when you get your first freeze. If your first freeze isn't until mid october then you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 looks like one sweet pond, doc. you'll be loaded with ducks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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