I have a hunting club in the mountains of southeast Tennessee.  We have approximately 500 acres of posted private property consisting of approximately 20-25% fields/powerline R.O.W. and the rest bountiful mast producing hardwoods. The property includes a deep and wide hollow (approx. 600ft D x 500 yds W at its widest on our property) with year round water in a few spring pools down in the hollow even during drought as well as 5 spring fed ponds on farmland on one side of the hollow.  Our property borders about 3000 acres of Franklin Forest property, 1000 of which was clearcut 12 yrs ago.  Needless to say the 1000 acre clearcut is one huge sanctuary for the deer. Our food plots have in the past totaled about 2 acres and have been restricted to the powerline r.o.w. running through the middle of our property on top of the mountain. We are limited to the amount of area available for food plots due to the topography of the terrain on that right-of-way (mostly steep). Last year I planted a combination of grain sorghum, white clover, and cowpeas as well as several Trophy Rocks situated at the various plots. Needless to say the deer herd was healthy in the fall. We had an unbelievable mast crop of white oak and red oak acorns throughout the woods. The food plots were literally cleaned, down to the dirt, of all the crop planted. I am considering erecting a small (6ft x 6ft) fenced portion with a top on it to better monitor the actual crop growth potential. Is there anything else I can do or a different seed mixture I can plant that would better benefit the health/antler growth of the herd? We, myself and a couple other members have committed to letting yearling bucks walk and harvesting more does in the hope of improving our buck to doe ratio. Any suggestions/advice/information is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I mean no disrespect whatsoever to anyone viewing or participating in these forums. However I feel that it is utterly complete bullsnot that I am a life member posing a legitimate question about managing and maintaining foodplots for whitetail deer, and after 3 days i don't get even 1 reply, NONE. What kind of club is this? Did the rest of the lifers figure out that they are the club and if they want something done they have to do it and decide that us newbies could figure it out on our own? What the hell?!! Excuse my french.

You might want to try Appin Forage Turnips.. when the deer eat the heck out of
them, the leaves keep growing back, and when you get a good frost, the turnips get sweeter
for the deer, also they say there hi in all the good stuff deer need.....hope that helps...

Thanks Doc! I'll Check in to those. I want to plant the best I can get as far as protein and minerals are concerned without breaking the bank if you know what I mean. Thanks. Also, any ideas on ladino clover vs white, or any other type for that matter, as far as quick growth and sustainability from grazing pressure?

if by chance you have some old or fairly new logging trails that you may use to move around on your proprty,try working some of these areas up by planting clover and some oats on them.these area are are most generally followed by deer,turkey and other game and gives you a larger area for foodplots that are greatly over looked.

Posted By farmer red1 on 04 May 2011 06:59 AM
if by chance you have some old or fairly new logging trails that you may use to move around on your proprty,try working some of these areas up by planting clover and some oats on them.these area are are most generally followed by deer,turkey and other game and gives you a larger area for foodplots that are greatly over looked.

farmer red 1, hit it on the head (im new to tn,) but in fl, the pines so thick and growup that the old logging roads best place to plant and simple to do , and you have some good choices to hunt with the wind in ur face and as we all no the deer diff-use the roads, i hunted here in tn, last season on my lease (by myself. i cant buy a hunting buddy ?) but this season will be my 1st time trying some food plots, i now have a 2nd lease and the new one has some good old logging roads in it, good luck with ur plots and have a good season. E.L.K LEBANON TN.

I here ya on breaking the bank, ladino clover vs white. well i haven't worked with clover
in any way, so i am not much help there, sorry..

I make about a 2 ft circular enclosure with 2 x 4 dog wire about 5 ft tall and anchor it with stakes. Helps me judge usage. Sounds like the deer have plenty of natural food and you are just wanting to supplement? Looks like you are already on the right trac. The brassica family (greens) work well for late season food. As for the clover, try a cpl different varieties and fence 'em off in mini test plots.
The most important part of all.........get a soil test done and follow the recomendations!

Ive never done any food plots especially for deer but in our hayfields we have some redclover (cows love it why not deer) orchard grass (deer dont seem to like it as much as clover) and i think timothy but mostly the first 2. I would like to plant some turnips they appear to be a good plot also. As far as minerals mmhmm im trying buck jam at the moment and it only seems to stop deer that pass by and not attract them so much. IVe heard good things about deer cane, i just might try that next. Good luck and good hunting!

rmoore, the deercaine is a waste of time, just like so many of the products that are hyped on the hunting programs. The best thing to do, is to check in with your local feed and seed store, and find out what works best in your area. Don't waste your money on the national brands, many of the same seed can be purchased locally at an unbelievable cost savings. Pure peanut butter, molasses, or vanilla flavoring will attract more deer than all of the other retail products combined. If you do plant turnips, just remember that the deer don't pay them too much attention, until after one or two good frosts.

I thought that th buck jam looked very similar to molasses actually lol. do you use any mineral/salt sites on your property?

As dry as it has been here, what difference does it make anyway....foodplots gonna die just like the mast...

 

BTW, I know exactly, more or less, where you are talking about. Was in a Club with over 7,000 acres that adjoined Franklin Forrest if you are coming from Orme to the west. Power line right thru it. Didn't deer hunt there but killed several very good turkey and a bobcat and a few coyotes. Former Timber Co land owned by a FL group....sold out from under us without even giving us a notice it was for sale.....

Buckwheat often gets overlooked. I'm not sure about all the nutrients in it, but we planted some for duck season and the deer and turkey were out in it every day.

Try crimson clover and peas for the fall. The deer will eat the peas like candy once they are up and they will last throught the winter. mix them with a lil wheat or rye and youll have a heck of a stand of clover in the spring and the wheat and pas will last through winter

nathan, what type peas are you planting that last thru winter?
Seems mine all die with first heavy frost.

Australian winter peas, i believe put about 30 lb to an acre. The hard part is keepin the deer of them until they get established. I baled mine last year with spring hay and got about 4 rolls/acre

Austrian peas I meant to say. The winter will hit them back a little but not too much. Plant in early Sept and hit em with a little fertilier and look out. When it starts warming up in the spring they will grow baby grow. try the coop for the cheapest price come in 50 lb bag and sow around 30 lb/acre ,cut that in half if you mix it with wheat or rye. they are supposed to be great for nitrogen fixation in the soil. Not only are you improving the animal health but your plots too. Thats the line i give my wife every fall.