Food Plots Did I screw up big time?

[tree_ghost]

So I have around 1.5 acres in a creek bottom that was sewn in clover. The deer have been in it real good, including my target buck, I decided with the rain coming to overseed it with some throw and grow and add a little 10-10-10 fertilizer on the front side of the rain coming. So Saturday morning me and my youngest son and my little brother headed out to the farm to handle our work. As usual I made lots of noise on the way in with the radio in the truck to as not to startle the deer. I have a theory about this that has proven pretty reliable. So we get our fertilizer and seed spread and hang a couple additional cameras to try and determine the bucks route of travel to the plot. We never blew out a deer while on foot which was my strategy. However since I refreshened everything I have virtually no deer movement in the plot. I was very conservative with the amount of fertilizer I put out so as not to burn up my clover. Am I just being a worry wart here or has the fertilizer turned the deer off?

 

[Pioneer1789]

So I have around 1.5 acres in a creek bottom that was sewn in clover. The deer have been in it real good, including my target buck, I decided with the rain coming to overseed it with some throw and grow and add a little 10-10-10 fertilizer on the front side of the rain coming. So Saturday morning me and my youngest son and my little brother headed out to the farm to handle our work. As usual I made lots of noise on the way in with the radio in the truck to as not to startle the deer. I have a theory about this that has proven pretty reliable. So we get our fertilizer and seed spread and hang a couple additional cameras to try and determine the bucks route of travel to the plot. We never blew out a deer while on foot which was my strategy. However since I refreshened everything I have virtually no deer movement in the plot. I was very conservative with the amount of fertilizer I put out so as not to burn up my clover. Am I just being a worry wart here or has the fertilizer turned the deer off?

Might just be the scent of the fertilizer. Give it some time and let the rain beat it all into the ground really well. I'd say things will get back to normal for you.

 

[BSK]

Any time we do major work in a plot, it spooks the deer out for a day or two. But they'll be back.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Couple good rains and a few days....agree....they will be back.

 

[tellico4x4]

I imagine you are okay. We sprayed clover a couple weeks ago with 24DB & a couple hours later got a cell pic of 5 bucks feeding in it. Ain't no way that could have tasted good....

 

[tree_ghost]

Well we have had plenty of rain here and more on the way. Should have some updates soon I'm hoping. So far just some coons lol

 

[megalomaniac]

I'm terrified... my target velvet buck is using my 1 acre summer plot on the edge of 80 acres of hay... we are going to HAVE to cut that in the next 10days. I hope his bachelor group gets back on their current pattern by the end of Aug. He's 145in... not a giant, but would make a really pretty velvet mount. I have no other backup buck to chase on other farms.

 

[tree_ghost]

I'm terrified... my target velvet buck is using my 1 acre summer plot on the edge of 80 acres of hay... we are going to HAVE to cut that in the next 10days. I hope his bachelor group gets back on their current pattern by the end of Aug. He's 145in... not a giant, but would make a really pretty velvet mount. I have no other backup buck to chase on other farms.

You and I are in the same boat. This is my one and only target for the velvet hunt. I STILL haven't sealed the deal with one since it began and I want so badly to kill him. I'm not an experienced food plotter so I'm sure that's adding to my stress in this situation. My next major predicament is am I willing to tote my recurve to the stand with me….oh heck that's just causing the blood pressure to go up! I better handle one issue at a time over here

I hope you get a crack at him I'm guessing your worried not only about the invasive work of a hay operation but the fact that maybe he's loosing some of his security cover…?

 

[megalomaniac]

Yes... the bachelor group beds 100y off my property, then comes onto my place 30 min before dark. They work their way across the 2 to 3 ft tall hayfield to get to the foodplot of beans, peas, and buckwheat. I'm planning on intercepting them right at the fence crossing 400y away from the plot (they don't get to the plot until dark) but when we cut the hay, I'm worried they may change their approach to the plot and come after dark. But putting up hay comes first.

It's still a low pressure fun hunt. The 10 pt my son missed last year on the velvet hunt is in the same bachelor group this year.... he got injured at some point and one side is palmated and deformed. Cool buck, but not one I want for the wall.

 

[tnanh]

I havent gotten any photos since Saturday and last time I was in mine was last Wednesday or Thursday. So could just be coincidence for you. Crazy weather has slowed down activity at my place.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

You all are getting me fired up and I don't even have a target buck to go after. Love hearing the strategies.

tg - I wouldn't stress too much about the plot. It should turn out just fine. Still some time and things will settle down. As far as toting the recurve, that just depends on your confidence level with it. Don't overwhelm yourself. We have an old family recurve and I am bound and determined to kill a deer with it one day. Just a doe would be a very cool accomplishment in my book. Best of luck!

 

[tree_ghost]

Some good news! He strolled through the plot for about 2 minutes before sunrise this morning. Deer are steadily funneling back in and beginning to feed! The fertilizer must be really pungent to their noses…

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Some good news! He strolled through the plot for about 2 minutes before sunrise this morning. Deer are steadily funneling back in and beginning to feed! The fertilizer must be really pungent to their noses…

I figured it would just be a matter of time. Good deal!