Worth the time?

[turks]

Been a topic of debate down at camp for a bit now.  Is it worth doing food plots?  We currently lease approx 550 acres in S tier from timber company. Have had lease for 30 years and do ok. Lately, like every where else sightings are on the decline.  So the topic of foodplots arises.  I dont have the luxury of clearing any trees so we would be stuck to planting old staging areas and our main north south rd(which is 3/4 mi).  I figure we could get 5 acres max planted. Is that enough to have an effect at all?  I have read 5-10% of property before there is an actual effect. Any opinions.

 

 

[G-Man]

Anything is extra food for them, as browse declines, plots become more important. You will need a clover with perhaps a brassica over seeding. That's all that will support heavy use as it will become the favored food source for the deer and turkey, rabbits bear , ext..

[nodeerhere]

I say put them in. I had action as soon as I put mine in. Cameras pic up tons of action every yr now. Where abouts in the tier are u? If u need sum help pm me.

[Taylormike]

I'm doing my first this year.  I don't expect it to be that great!  After getting results from my soil sample, it is going to take a year or two for the lime to neutralize the PH.  I'm still going for it.  At this point, I have to establish one.  You should too!

[chas0218]

IF there isn't anything around that 550 acres I would definitely be putting in some plots. I have seen small plots produce great numbers of deer. Food plots and low pressure will surely bring in deer. Google micro food plots, they are small 50'x50' some larger but they are meant to be small and productive. I would plant that access road to something durable to high traffic like clover or alfalfa.

[VT Outfitter]

Food plots are always fun to build and watch the deer. I always say any food plot work is better than nothing. You will always get wildlife to respond to a food plot. shooting a deer or turkey on that plot may be a different story. It depends on whats available for other food sources and how big a plot you plant. The books say you shoyld plant 10 percent of your hunting property in food plot. So on 500 acre hunting property you would plant 50+ acres of food plot. Sure, if you have heavy machinery. Realistically I would say plant many 1-2 acre plots strategically on different spot on the property for different wind directions and so you have many choices of where to sit.

[LET EM GROW]

no matter what, food plots work! get them in if you have the equipment. clovers, oats, brassicas, turnips it will all benefit you no doubt!

 

not sure of what size and how many plots your talking but like VT said, 10% of your property should be food. 40% in perennials, 60% in annuals. "they say"...

 

you will be glad you did come next fall!  

[ATbuckhunter]

I think plots are worth it. I would suggest at a minimum to have some timber improvement on your property. Some timber thinning would do wonders by allowing natural vegetation to grow as well as providing cover any maybe a little money for you. 

[NFA-ADK]

If you have the time and money it is worth the extra effort. 

[turks]

Thanks for the input, think. We will give it a go.  Will amount to 1% but that's all I can do.  Timber company hopefully will log in a few years, could open up more area.  Sounds like clover and some brassica, got some time to think about though. Now just need to convince the 2 doubters at camp.

[LET EM GROW]

Do it without them if they are opposed to it. You will benefit from them and maybe they can see your results after the fact...

[growalot]

I'm surounded by farm crops and mine work...I offer what they don't and some of what they do...But I always make sure there is water near each plot area...be it a tub ,catle water,or plastic pond

[dbHunterNY]

you definitely should and when you do cage in a small spot to gage if it's being over browsed or just not doing well for whatever reason.

[SplitG2]

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