Food Plots Milorganite

[Bull_TN]

Has anyone had experience using Milorganite to keep deer off of your food plot long enough to let the plants get established? If so, how long does the Milorganite seem to keep the deer away? I would also appreciate anyone sharing any other products they have used to deter deer from wiping out beans.

 

[Bull_TN]

Nobody has any experience with Milorganite?

 

[Bull_TN]

Well, deer wiped out my soy beans last week. I guess I will just disc them in and plant clover.

 

[hitek7]

Did you try the milorganite? I used it for the first time this year but was not able to spend much time checking it or reapplying to give any input.

 

[Bull_TN]

I didn't try it. I have a hard time getting on board with anything that repels deer from where I am trying to get them to come. Plus, I could never get any info on how long it lasts. So, I was really reluctant to put it down with bow season starting up in a few weeks.

 

[Grnwing]

Never tried the milogranite but do run an electric fence. Works well keeping the deer out of the beans. I planted late this year and before I got the fence up the deer did a great job mowing the beans down. Put the fence up and they are coming back pretty good. Found that earlier planting dates usually will allow the beans to get tall enough to handle the browse pressure. Electric fence is a little pricing and labor intensive to set up but once you have it you can use it year after year versus a one time cost/use.

 

[Bull_TN]

How long does it take the deer to figure out the fence, and how long does it take them to start using the food plot again once it's gone? I considered a fence, but everyone around me has feeders, treat blocks, mineral/salt blocks. I worry if I push deer off my place they will get comfortable on one of my neighbors place and stay there.

 

[Grnwing]

It doesn't take them long to respect the fence and they are quick to get back into the beans once the fence comes down, maybe a week at the longest for them to start browsing again. It may very by proximity to the deers natural travel patterns though your area. I also have corn planted that is in close proximity to my beans so it is a quick transition. I understand your concern about the neighbors getting your deer, but a really good soybean plot that produces good pods and that is over-seeded with grain will provide a lot of forage late into the season. I still had deer eating the pods into late January. Keep thick cover and good food source coupled with light pressure and you will hold deer throughout the season. A good plot will have a lot more draw then corn piles and mineral blocks.

 

[Bull_TN]

I have been reading about electric fences. I am thinking the two layer system is right for me. Has anyone had good experiences with any brands or any other tips on getting this setup?

 

[Bull_TN]

I'm going to start a new thread on electric fences since we have gotten off the topic of Milorganite here.