Food plot on power line area's

[Drop 4/5]

I have approx. 6 acres of power line easment surrounded by hard woods and good cover on both sides. This area cuts thru the middle of my 150 acres that boarder the Big south fork. The couple of cameras I have set up show some promising deer. My question is it feasible to put a couple acres of food plots in at the power lines. I am just trying to improve my deer population. I have done nothing yet but the cameras over a couple of mineral blocks. The ph came back at 5.0 and needs 3 tons per acre per UT info. The grass is long approx 2'. Would I be better off spraying,bush hogging or scraping the top and getting it level with a dozer. I am not living on the property yet but plan to retire up there in the next couple years. I am trying to spend time up there every couple months. Thanks for any info or advise.

Ron

 

[Boone 58]

What better place?
IMO>

 

[Drop 4/5]

I would think so to, but not sure how to get started with the grass in the easement?

 

[Drop 4/5]

I would think so to, but not sure how to get started with the grass in the easement?

 

[buckdead]

id bushhog it then come back a couple or three weeks later and spray it. id say that would do it in

 

[scrimshaw]

I've got the same situation...with a long power line easement but mine's about 10 acres. I'd recommend at the very least mowing it then spraying roundup. You might consider planting roundup ready soybeans this year and then over seed with oats or clover this fall.

I'm planning on making strips of various food plots connecting the two timber plots on my property so that they run from one timber area or vegetation area on one side of the power line to another. I figured I could plant some corn, and sorghum to get some height and allow some travel corridors as just one large clover field might not be as welcoming to deer coming out and taller structure might make them feel more safe.

 

[Drop 4/5]

It seems like my first job is to get it bush hogged but what about my 3 tons of lime per acre. Should I lime after or before round up. I dont think I can apply lime with the height of the 2' plus grass as it is.

 

[Football Hunter]

Check out my "before and after "Pics

 

[Boone 58]

My preferred choice is prep work first, clearing cutting or spraying and then i drag with a harrow and then lime....the sooner you get the lime out the better if you want it to start working. can take up to 6 months....depending but this is the general rule.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

All good advise.

 

[scrimshaw]

Gut it first, spray your fields with roundup, and drill in roundup ready soybeans. Lime won't be as necessary for it as it will be for the clover. However, be sure to take soil samples first and then apply fertilizer and lime accordingly.

As someone else mentioned the lime might not take effect for 3-6 months so it might not do you any good this year anyway.

My opinion, plant the soybeans and leave them standing. Apply the lime and once you have the soybeans in this year you'll make it really easy to till the fields in the spring and fall where as not it might be too difficult to till with that matted grass on top.

 

[W.Seay]

Long narrow powerlines are my absolute favorite places to put food plots as long as they have plenty of cover on both sides!You potentially have a honeyhole in this spot!

 

[Drop 4/5]

My ph came back at 5.0 so I am still under the assumption that I need to lime before I plant anything. Thanks for all the info up to now

Ron

 

[deertraks]

Everything said above is great advice. Just understand it will take a few years to get your ground up to the ph you want and hold it there. Been working on the five plots we have on our lease for five years now and just beginning to see the results we want. We have a total of about 3 acres of plots and have put somewhere between 15 and 20 tons of lime on these plots. But it will depend on the soil type and drainage of your land. But it is worth it to see those beautiful green plots.

 

[Drop 4/5]

Thanks for the Info, I understand that I have a long way to go and will just chip away at it every couple months. Did you do your own lime or have someone come in. Was kinda of wondering what kind of lime you used.

Thanks Ron

 

[deertraks]

We always used the powder lime that you get at your local co-op. We would always get it on a trailer and take a big corn scoop and spread it that way but if your plots are where a spreader truck can get to them that's a lot quicker. Your local co-op will do this for a few bucks more on the ton for lime. Our plots range from 1/4 to 1/2 acre so it wasn't to bad if you have a little help. Last yaer we used what the local farmers call a easy flow spreader and it worked really good. You can use pelletized lime but it is more expensive by a lot.

 

[Drop 4/5]

Thanks for the info I will check it out