Food Plots Bush hog or not bush hog?

[Bgoodman30]

Have a property that has some fields that haven't been touched all summer and its about eye level in thick cover. Certainly a game and deer magnet right now.

Last year the farmer bush hogged it around labor day and it became a coyote feeding frenzy.. We sprayed and drug the thatch and top sowed a couple successful fall .5 acre food plots.

I am wondering if it might be better to just leave as is this year? Maybe just cut a few strips? Or should I let him knock it all down and plant a few kill plots again?

 

[cbhunter]

The most favorite farm I ever hunted was a 15-20 acre grown up field. I guess a lot of it would depend on size for me. That 15-20 acres was a deer heaven

 

[BSK]

For smaller properties COVER IS KING. Once the guns start going off, I would much rather have cover than food.

 

[DoubleRidge]

I would not clear the entire area....but I would mow a few strips in strategic areas....do it in the next couple weeks and it will green up naturally....or you can top sow strips with winter wheat or oats...... multiple strips creates multiple edges and adds diversity....also creates lanes where you can see and shoot better.

 

[MickThompson]

Single-width lanes. The narrower the better

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I would not clear the entire area....but I would mow a few strips in strategic areas....do it in the next couple weeks and it will green up naturally....or you can top sow strips with winter wheat or oats...... multiple strips creates multiple edges and adds diversity....also creates lanes where you can see and shoot better.

I agree with this!

 

[Andy S.]

For smaller properties COVER IS KING. Once the guns start going off, I would much rather have cover than food.

Ditto!!!

 

[Bgoodman30]

I would not clear the entire area....but I would mow a few strips in strategic areas....do it in the next couple weeks and it will green up naturally....or you can top sow strips with winter wheat or oats...... multiple strips creates multiple edges and adds diversity....also creates lanes where you can see and shoot better.

I like this idea. For reference last season there were does frequenting the small plots and I killed a nice 9 point my #3 in November.

 

[Bgoodman30]

I like this idea. For reference last season there were does frequenting the small plots and I killed a nice 9 point my #3 in November.

BUT after It was cut I never saw or got a picture of my #1 again he was 150's+....

 

[muddyboots]

I don't bushog anything unless it's a walking trail or plot.