Food Plots Elk plot?

Atchman2 · May 15, 2026

My friend lives in norther Anderson County. We have elk walking through about once per month. Now I have no intention of hunting the elk, but I do like them on the property and I love watching this big things. Also whatever we plant for the elk, should attract deer as well.

What we are thinking is planting strips in his fields. We can turn up the ground with is tractor, disk it up, and then plant seed. TWRA said "clover" would be a good thing for them. I haven't bought the seed yet.

I'm guessing our strips will add up to about 5 acres. It is just a small field along the New River. We like the strips because then we can mow in between them too.

Not sure about fertilizing, but the clover I was looking at said to use 10 10 10. Thoughts? I've never planted a food plot before.

bigtex · May 15, 2026

In my experience Fall is the best time to sow clover. Some clovers are annual some are perennial. Red clover, Ladino and Alsike are three perennial types while Crimson clover is an annual but if you let it flower and go to seed it will reseed itself.
One of the easiest seeds to sow for a Summer plot in my opinion is Buckwheat, it will almost grow on a rock lol. Plus it will reseed itself.

BSK · May 15, 2026

bigtex said:
In my experience Fall is the best time to sow clover. Some clovers are annual some are perennial. Red clover, Ladino and Alsike are three perennial types while Crimson clover is an annual but if you let it flower and go to seed it will reseed itself.
One of the easiest seeds to sow for a Summer plot in my opinion is Buckwheat, it will almost grow on a rock lol. Plus it will reseed itself.

Very true.

Atchman2 · May 15, 2026

Buckwheat sounds like a plan! I'm going to order the seed soon.

Ski · May 15, 2026

In a dietary sense elk are much more akin to cattle than they are deer. Think pasture, not plot. A deer will walk into your plot and pick a little here, a little there, then leave, then come back the next day. A herd of elk will walk into your plot and eat it to the dirt overnight, then be 40 miles away in a day or two. Completely different animals.