Food Plot recomendations

[hunter3405]

I am fairly new to the forum but have found alot of good info here. I bought some land in Lewis county earlier this year strictly for hunting. We have about 50 acres that is surrounded by somewhere around 2000 acres of timber compnay land. There are alot of deer out here from what I can tell.
My brother and I usually hunt in south Georgia with my family so getting land right and deer ready is somethihgn new to us. We will be learning on this property. THe land was bought in April and I had planned to work it thru the spring and summer to get it cleared and cleaned for season. But I tore my ACL and had knee surgery so that was a bust. I am looking to suggestions on how to get this place drawing deer in from the other land around me. Since i am the only hunter out there i figure it will not be too difficult.
My question is what do you recommed as far as food plots and cleaning of the land to get it right. I am planning for next year already. We will be hunting as is this year and hoping for the best.
Dont know how to post pictures to this message so click on the link below and you can see the blog I set up. Mainly so my Dad can keep up with our hunting excursions, but it will serve this purpose as well. Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks Don




http://tennesseehunting.blogspot.com/

 

[Terry Cunningham]

Hire a bioligist to give you a plan. I would suggest BSK on this site. Not only will he tell you were to put your food plots but where to set up your stands.

Over the long term this will save your money. Plus he will size up the land around your property to make your property the preferred property for BUCKS. There is a difference between "buck" and "doe" areas.

50 acres is not enough to hold deer exclusivley, but you can make it the preferred property in the area, and that is the key to harvesting the larger bucks.

 

[hunter3405]

how do I get a hold of BSK? what does hiring a biologist usually run?

 

[Football Hunter]

You can PM here by clicking on his name in one of the threads,check the serious sitr,hes been on there tonight.Dont know about money,but he doesnt bow hunt so you might can get him now.

 

[rem270]

shotplot. good and inexpensive

 

[Anonymous]

I would assume that the timber company land would be either pines or cutover. In either case, nearly anything you plant that stays green should draw in deer. Pines themselves don't produce alot of food and cutovers provide alot of warm season forage and cover, but that dwindles during the cool season and many times, deer resort to eating buds, etc.
Test your soil first and fertilize appropriately, then plant several different types of plants SEPARATELY instead of mixing so you can see which ones YOUR particular deer prefer. I'd start out with some small grains such as wheat or oats, some brassicas (maybe turnips, rape, or mustards), and a legume such as alfalfa, crimson or ladino clover. If they like it all, plant whatever. I usually find that they don't like at least one plant so the next year I substitute.
You may also want to invest in some persimmon, fall pear (or quints), or crab apple trees for future bow hunting sites.

 

[dirtturner]

Hire hell. First get a aerial photo from local DA/ASCS office. Make many copies. Find your regional bilogist and call him. Set up an appointment and he may be able to come to your site. Send him a map and explain what you want. You may have to go see him but it will be worth it. A major problem with bag mixes is there are almost always a couple of oversized seed that cause you to over seed. Slit has to be big enough for all the seed. Find out and write down what is in the blend and then go to COOP or get online. There are several sites that sell quality seed. Do an extensive soil test now and follow directions. Starting out is hard but it actually gets easier as you go. Good luck. PS some seed are hard to get so don't waste time on making a decision. The state bio-man should be able to help with types of food and sources for seed.