Food Plot Advice

[PcDeer]

I have been primarily a "meat hunter" the last 8-10 years, putting a couple in the freezer not worrying about size or age. I have recently become much more interested in management by providing better nutrition in order to hopefully grow better quality and increase my deer population. I own 100 acres of hardwoods almost completely surrounded by over 1000 acres of 5 yr old clear cut. In the center of my property I have cleared off about 5 acres. Now I am not experienced with food plots so I would like some opinions on how to manage this 5 acre plot. My ideal is to divide it into three sections. In a larger section plant corn or soybeans in another section plant buck oats or wheat and clover and then in a third section plant some type of blend of greens such as turnips chicory or rape. I would just like to see what some of you more experienced guys would do with this plot. I have enjoyed reading some great info here on tndeer for years but just registered. Great website!

 

[tn droptine]

In my experience I wouldnt even bother putting soybeans in unless you have a very low deer density or unless you plan on planting the entire 5 acres in the beans. I had 4.5 acres of Eagle soybeans planted this past year, and the deer kept them mowed down - I didnt have a single plant that was over 8" tall. The only way around this is if you plan on fencing off the beans, and even then once they get a taste for them you may have trouble keeping them out.

Good luck with whatever you decide to plant, once you start plotting then you are hooked!! Keep us posted on your progress

 

[Football Hunter]

In my experience I wouldnt even bother putting soybeans in unless you have a very low deer density or unless you plan on planting the entire 5 acres in the beans. I had 4.5 acres of Eagle soybeans planted this past year, and the deer kept them mowed down - I didnt have a single plant that was over 8" tall. The only way around this is if you plan on fencing off the beans, and even then once they get a taste for them you may have trouble keeping them out.

Good luck with whatever you decide to plant, once you start plotting then you are hooked!! Keep us posted on your progress

Good point,you better fence them off,or have a lot of them,5 acres seems to be the magic size.