Hunting Forum

JJ lots of good advise...I'd really get that soil test first thing...in the mean time while waiting hit it with at least a bag or two of lime...though this is a late response....Id have a hard time advising for I don't know the lay of the land....having a "open area in the pines is great BUT how tall are they and how much sun does it get...and when?...now knowing the position of the sun in the sky changes as the months go by...will it be in a position to keep the plot growing by fall or will the trees be blocking it by then?

Having a grassy area tells me it's getting sun to grow....how many acres of grass....where are your possible stand sites which way does the wind blow through this area and where would your approach be?

Let me give an example... we have a real variety on our place and some being big woods with logging trails....for years we had partial defoliation from moths...and got lots of sun so I grew the great plots in pics....3 years later the moth cycle ended...the leaves grew and every thing died the plots...the bramble and most under growth....now ferns and mosses are taking over...The point is....you need to know what the suns doing through out the day....also water requirements..not just for deer ...but I do put watering tubs near all plots...Food/water..easy...If there is not a under ground source of water ...IE.... clay type soils ...springs...then trees suck the water right out and it can be too much competition for the plot plants.... Which also became a problem in those pictured plots......also if you plant braccs...where ever you decide...don't be discouraged if they aren't hit hard the first year...or way late after season....if it's not a common plant around you...it takes time for deer to get use to....

Well, one week ago, I applied my herbicide and lime, today I disk harrowed everything and then applied my fertilizer. Next weekend I'll plant my seeds, based on the almanac. I added an additional plot, making my total now 10 food plots. I'll be planting several varieties on some of them and on others just a single plant species. After I get all of them planted, then I'll have to decide which ones and where I'll place my five cameras.

Ask your neighbors about what food sources are on their property,and plant something they do not have. Consider something other than food plots,such as hazelnut,apple trees or pecan. Some varieties can grow in northern climates. This should also boost your squirrel hunting.

My winter plots are planted with oats, Austrian winter peas, and turnips for the most part, but I did leave some standing sorghum on several of them, as well.

Have you considered planting different mast producing trees such as hazelnut or a variety of pecan that will grow in your area? I live in Michigan and there is at least one variety of pecan that will grow here. The point is to plant something different not found in the surrounding area. You'll have a food source not available anywhere else and it won't be available until around harvest time. As the farm crops disappear your hazelnuts start to fall. This should increase deer traffic to your property,but that also means they could overbrowse your property. So add some more food to the table. Some options are to burn off small areas in the fall to green up lush in the spring or simply add some fertilizer to areas already getting attention from the deer. A forestry agent told me poplars grow back well if cut down in winter. Then in spring they bounce back with new growth providing a new source of browse. Protect any new trees you plant with a circle of chicken fence. The deer will eat any seedlings before they mature. Hope this helps, Good Luck!

Have you considered planting different mast producing trees such as hazelnut or a variety of pecan that will grow in your area? I live in Michigan and there is at least one variety of pecan that will grow here. The point is to plant something different not found in the surrounding area. You'll have a food source not available anywhere else and it won't be available until around harvest time. As the farm crops disappear your hazelnuts start to fall. This should increase deer traffic to your property,but that also means they could overbrowse your property. So add some more food to the table. Some options are to burn off small areas in the fall to green up lush in the spring or simply add some fertilizer to areas already getting attention from the deer. A forestry agent told me poplars grow back well if cut down in winter. Then in spring they bounce back with new growth providing a new source of browse. Protect any new trees you plant with a circle of chicken fence. The deer will eat any seedlings before they mature. Hope this helps, Good Luck!