Hunting Forum

Our family owns a small 20 acre parcel of land. It has farm fields on all sides of it. This year they had corn 2 fields over that the deer just hung out in till it was harvested. The other fields had some kind of beans i think. Our property has like christmas trees on half that are over grown providing good thick cover the rest is tall grass. I want to plant some food plots because this year I hardly saw any deer. Im not sure but i think they are just in the farm fields all around eating. I can plant a food plot in a clearing in the pine trees or in the tall grass, what would be better? Will I be able to compete with all the farm fields around? What should I plant? Any other ideas of how to bring more deer in on the small acre property? Any input would be helpful thanks!

Those deer have to be bedding somewhere, and if your property is that close to cultivated land, then there must be either more woods nearby, or they are using your property for bedding. Is there water on your place? Look for trails and try to figure out travel patterns. The deer have to be going to the fields from somewhere!
Possibly a food plot with turnips and other brassicas would work on your place, but I would plant it in the pines, don't disturb the grass!

There is a lot of public hunting land about a half mile away. Other than that there are a few other small acre propertys around that has good cover to that they might be in. I kinda think they were hiding in the corn that was 2 fields away cause right after they harvested that I started seeing some deer sign on our property and saw a couple deer and tons of tracks around. As for water, the public land goes right out to the bay and has a lot of cattails that i bet is great bedding cover. I dont know if the deer would travel over a half mile out there to bed down and drink and come back to the ag fields around to feed i have heard they will travel a lot?

you will be surprised how far deer will travel for water and back to feeding and bedding areas.that half mile isn't very far at all.
i would try like rthomas4 has stated:put a plot in and around the pines.don't mess with the grass area.
after you have done this,you may have to put up a few differant stands to play the wind and route of travel of the deer.deer hunting is much like a cat and mouse game.

I agree with rt and farmer. Try to keep it out of the grass and use the clearing in the pines. The deer will enjoy the cover of the pines while feeding. You should get a soil test done too. Try to plant something that will grow in the soil in your area but it also should be something that they normally don't get a chance to eat in your area. For instance, if there are corn fields all around you, don't plant corn. You will just be competing with nearby fields. Try a blended seed that may include rye grass, clover and some brassicas. Or, if your soils and climate permit maybe try a mix that has some oats or chickory. I wouldn't plant just one type of seed because the deer may not like it. If you plant a blend, it will give you a better chance of them finding something they like and hitting it often. Also, a blend will often include warm and cool season seeds. Using, my first example, the grass and clover will be your spring, summer and early fall food while the brassicas will be there late fall and winter food source. Keeps 'em coming around all year long!! Good luck to you!

Do you think that i will have a problem with the deer eating in the food plot so much that there wont be enough left by the time the season starts? The area in the trees is kinda small maybe 60 yards by 10 yards. The area that is tall grass is quite big over half of the property actually. If I might have a problem with over eating in the small plot I could still plant another medium sized plot on the edge of the pine and tall grasses and still have a lot of the grass field left. What do u guys think.

I hope you have that problem!! That would mean a lot of deer! Although possible, that would be unlikely. They are still going to feed on the agricultural fields around you. Even if they hit your plot hard, they will typically only eat the tops off the plants allowing it grow back. That is the good thing with rye grass and clover, it grows back fairly quickly. If you would like to plant a plot in or around the grass, then that is your choice. I would hate for you to take out a lot of that grass though. It makes great cover for traveling and bedding and is probably a strong attribute of your property. Of course, if most of your 20 acres is covered in grass, taking out a 1/2 acre to an acre to plant some food plots probably won't hurt. I would start with the plot in the pine trees and then maybe next year, if you have trouble with it growing because of over-browsing, then try another one in the grass area. Just my opinion.

I hope you have that problem!! That would mean a lot of deer! Although possible, that would be unlikely. They are still going to feed on the agricultural fields around you. Even if they hit your plot hard, they will typically only eat the tops off the plants allowing it grow back. That is the good thing with rye grass and clover, it grows back fairly quickly. If you would like to plant a plot in or around the grass, then that is your choice. I would hate for you to take out a lot of that grass though. It makes great cover for traveling and bedding and is probably a strong attribute of your property. Of course, if most of your 20 acres is covered in grass, taking out a 1/2 acre to an acre to plant some food plots probably won't hurt. I would start with the plot in the pine trees and then maybe next year, if you have trouble with it growing because of over-browsing, then try another one in the grass area. Just my opinion.

I concur!

even if you have 4or more deer to hit your foodplot on a daily routine,they may have trouble keeping up with the growth.there would have to be several deer on a daily routine to wipe out your plot or there is a severe drought or disease hit the plot.
the problem i'm having with my plots this year is to much rain.they are either drowning out or they are so green and lush i can't keep them mowed enough.there is also the problem of everything else is so green that they are not hitting them much.this is a rare case this time of year.should have a couple of inches of snow on the groung instead of a new record rainfall.
besure to do a good soil test before you start and fert as reqiured.a good rule of thumb for foodplots is to have 1/10 or more in foodplots to keep and maintain deer on or near your property.

ok sounds like i wont have any problems with over eating. We have a small tractor but dont have a disc for it, do i need to buy a disc or will a rotitiller work for this small plot?

the rototiller is ideal for any sized plot you only have to go over it once maybe twice!

i have a compact 23hp tractor that has a 4' box tiller on it.i use it to my foodplots and several gardens in the area.it's one of the best items i have bought over the years.
go slow on your speed the first time through the area then have your tractor move a little faster the second time.this helps level and smooth the ground out.just use caution the first time if this is virgin ground.you'll be surpised at the amount of rocks and roots that you may find along with other artifacts.just carry some extra shear bolts with you.
this is a great time to do your soil test since the soil is loose and easy to gather in seperate areas.lime can be worked in easily with the tiller.

Do i have to wait any period of time after i work lime in to the soil? I live in michigan and we just got a good amount of snow today so it might be to late to do the soil test? Do you guys do the soil test yourself or send them in? How do i find someone to send it in too?

You can purchase an inexpensive test kit from Lowe's or Home Depot and do it yourself, or you can take samples and deliver them to your local Ag. Dept. and they will have them tested for you. I believe most Ag. Dept's charge a fee for this service.

You can immediately apply fertilizer and plant after your lime application, although it's always a good idea to do it while the ground has some good moisture. Since I don't experience the snow problems ( thankfully) I don't know for sure, but I would think you could actually apply the lime and fertilizer on top of the snow and as it melts it would help dissolve it into the soil!!!!

those kits are quick and easy to use.the test at the ag=dept usualy run about 15=25 per test.these test are normally more acurrate and give more info.
the lime can be put on anytime.ptting it on while the snow is on will help melt it in to the soil and be ready for spring.a pellet type lime is good for type of application.use the pulerized on tilled soil or existing plots.the same can be done with the fert but,if you get alot of rain before your ready to plant you may loose some of it's value.
i live in ohio and won't put fert on my hay fields till about mid-march to early april.i may also mix the fet with the lime if needed.as long as the ground is forze or somewhat dry so i don't leave tracks.

Personally, I apply fert/lime in the fall between first and second discing. I want as many nutrients available for the seeds I'm planting and not for the johnson grass and briars that grow during the spring/summer.
Have you considered planting some mast producing trees?

Deer also like variety! If the farm fields are planted with corn and beans, plant brassicas, turnips (like rthomas4 suggested), winter wheat, clover, etc.

What time about should i aim to plant the food plots this spring? I know that its different for the different areas and for what your planting. I live in michigan in the thumb area and will probably plant a brassica mix. Does anyone live in michigan that can tell me when they plant there food plots?

Plant varieties that are not in the farm field; that may draw them in. May want to think about putting a couple of food plot strips in the grass areas.