Hunting Forum

Hello, I have just recently started getting into hunting, and last year found out about food plots. I would like to plant one, but only have enough room for one. What should I plant to get more deer in my area? I hunt in NC, and there aren't many deer in my neck of the woods, so I would like to lure more in from neighboring land. Also what is a good plant to grow for after the frost? I was thinking mainly corn and beans.

Your best source of information for your particular area would be your local feed and seed store. I can tell you that soil preparation is the first step, and that means applying a good herbicide and having a soil test done to check on proper ph levels and fertilizer requirements. Another thing to consider is what if any type of agricultural fields are near your hunting area, as well as other natural food and water sources. You can probably get a lot of assistance from your county agricultural agency that would provide you with some help and guidance for your neck of the woods.

Personally, I don't plant spring plots until after Easter, when I'm pretty sure not to have another frost. Then, I will plant soy beans, peas, sorghum, sunflowers, oats, and millet; but that may not be the best for your area. I usually plant spring plots, summer plots and then fall/winter plots, and rotate or vary the types of seeds I plant on each plot, but I also plant several plots each about a half acre or smaller on my 75 acre property.

Ron, Do the deer eat actual soybeans during the fall, or do they eat the plants as they're coming up in the spring?

Leslie, they eat the plants, around here they don't let them get over about 4-6 inches tall before mowing them down to the ground. That's why I do the three separate seasonal plantings and always plant a variety on each plot. That way once the deer start coming to the plot and have eaten all of the soybeans and sunflowers, there is still something else that keeps them coming back, since a mixture usually won't attract the deer to each plant at the same time frame of it's growth. In the agricultural fields where the acreage is large enough that the soybeans can actually reach maturity, the deer will still eat the beans until they are combined. We have some fields near our dog club, that are usually planted in soybeans, peanuts, or cotton; and the deer will eat all three. They love to lay up in the cotton fields and will actually eat the bolls. In the past, I've planted a few acres of corn and had deer start munching on it time the ears start to develop. I honestly believe they will take advantage of and consume just about any type of crop or garden veggie that can be planted, and it all depends on what else is available as to how much they will eat. This year since the acorn crop has been so heavy, they haven't destroyed the food plots like years past, but just as soon as the season ends and all the acorns are gone, I'll have pictures of entire herds eating away in the plots......just like I had before the acorns started falling. BTW, I've watched them stand on their hind legs to eat the grapes off of the grape vines, and the pears off of the tree limbs, and I've seen them munching down on the pecans right in my back yard.

But to get back to your soybean question, the only thing I know of that will cause them to skip a soybean is a sweet potatoe vine. I just can't afford to plant food plots with sweet 'taters!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, I will contact my local agencies ASAP.