Food plot waterfowl style

[sodfather]

I started this project in late March. Current situation is have a lease with 3 ponds on it and the beavers have built a nice levy system for me to begin with. However I wanted to do a spring draw down and plans brown top and Jap millet along with barnyard grass in one of the holes. I began by punching a hole in the dam only to come back with it clogged again. I dug a trench and will insert a 4” pipe with boards to do my drawn downs and collecting water by removing or adding boards. I planted a first stage of millet 2 weeks ago and so far is doing well. The rest of the mud flats I will be planting next week. Here are some pics from beginning till now . Apologize for sideways pics . 

Edited June 21, 2019 by sodfather

[BizCT]

I started this project in late March. Current situation is have a lease with 3 ponds on it and the beavers have built a nice levy system for me to begin with. However I wanted to do a spring draw down and plans brown top and Jap millet along with barnyard grass in one of the holes. I began by punching a hole in the dam only to come back with it clogged again. I dug a trench and will insert a 4” pipe with boards to do my drawn downs and collecting water by removing or adding boards. I planted a first stage of millet 2 weeks ago and so far is doing well. The rest of the mud flats I will be planting next week. Here are some pics from beginning till now . Apologize for sideways pics . 

Looks good. Find any sheds or bones when the water became dry?


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[Pygmy]

What a cool idea..A food plot for ducks....They  are more fun to  hunt than deer, taste better, are so much easier to carry home, and the decoys are much lighter...

I LOVE you, Man.....<<sigh>>….

[ATbuckhunter]

Ive seen videos on youtube about the pros and cons on the different food plots for ducks. Looks like a fun project. Do you currently duck hunt out of those ponds?

[sodfather]

13 minutes ago, Biz-R-OWorld said:

 

Looks good. Find any sheds or bones when the water became dry?


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There was a dead deer on the bank early spring before draw down 

[Lawdwaz]

Looks nice JZ......the Dawg is going to be thrilled!

[G-Man]

Nice, I have a spot I want to put a shallow pond and wild rice. Had it set up.thru farm bill back when Obama was in and it kept.expiring .. starting over it seems applying every year

[helmut in the bush]

Looks good, do you have any blinds built?

[sodfather]

9 hours ago, ATbuckhunter said:

Ive seen videos on youtube about the pros and cons on the different food plots for ducks. Looks like a fun project. Do you currently duck hunt out of those ponds?

Yes I did very little last year out of there cause I was so fixed on bow hunting that property last year I didn’t really put much time there last year but does hold birds 

[sodfather]

6 hours ago, G-Man said:

Nice, I have a spot I want to put a shallow pond and wild rice. Had it set up.thru farm bill back when Obama was in and it kept.expiring .. starting over it seems applying every year

Greg I tried wild rice last year and only a little came up but I did not prepare a seed bed. I just threw in water cause that’s what YouTube said to do. I didn’t have much luck . I think if I were to do rice again I’d have a seen bed prepared 

[sodfather]

46 minutes ago, helmut in the bush said:

Looks good, do you have any blinds built?

Not yet but took my kids play set apart and making one . 

[virgil]

This sounds so cool.  Looking forward to hearing how it works for you in the fall.

[helmut in the bush]

8 minutes ago, sodfather said:

Not yet but took my kids play set apart and making one . 

Looks comfortable, the birds will never see you

[G-Man]

1 hour ago, sodfather said:

Greg I tried wild rice last year and only a little came up but I did not prepare a seed bed. I just threw in water cause that’s what YouTube said to do. I didn’t have much luck . I think if I were to do rice again I’d have a seen bed prepared 

Yes they were suppose to 2 shallow ponds 1 an acre the other a half acre in a swampy area.. I figured since it would be fresh exposed dirt I'd seed it. Part of deal was it cannot be developed ,and no timber harvesting.  Asked about planning food for ducks was okn1st year but then would not be able to work land to replant. I dont duck hunt.. mainly because I have no idea what to do. Though I am on fly way for buffleheadd, mallards, woody's, and snow geese, and Canadian.  I have seen large flocks of all use the creek bottom and existing ponds on and near my.place.. one day I'll get it done myself..wont be this year as everything is under water already..

[ATbuckhunter]

2 hours ago, sodfather said:

Yes I did very little last year out of there cause I was so fixed on bow hunting that property last year I didn’t really put much time there last year but does hold birds 

From what I read that was most of the battle there. If you have them using the pond already, then you are in good shape. Wish I could help out, but im definitely interested in how this turns out

[sodfather]

5 hours ago, ATbuckhunter said:

From what I read that was most of the battle there. If you have them using the pond already, then you are in good shape. Wish I could help out, but im definitely interested in how this turns out

It held birds but it was mainly a loafing area. I wanted to bring in more groups for feed and keep the other ponds for loafing. I hope it works I’m sure there will be a learning curve. 

[b3h]

What kind of planning did this project take? Was there a lot of permitting needed?


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[sodfather]

Just a quick update, seed was planted today a mixture of foxtail, brown top and Japanese millet along with some barnyard grass. 

[sodfather]

Was at the property today and things are really looking lush . Water level is a little high but it has poured here the last couple days so that should go down 

 

[helmut in the bush]

Looks nice

[crappyice]

Sweet lookin project!


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[sodfather]

Millet is coming in nice also noticing some native grasses that are coming up after the draw down happened 

[J sin]

33 minutes ago, UpStateRedNeck said:

Was picking up a clevis twist hitch for my disc today at TSC, they have all sorts of plot bags there.  So like sodfather I'm a novice at this, my question would be to you guys with experience:. Is there any reason, really, to getting a couple bags of whitetail institute vs buy the same seed from my local feed supplier?  I know they say it's genetically engineered to taste great to whitetails, but in the end is that really going to make a difference?

Sod does your buddy mix from a local feed store, or combine the bag stuff?

 

Edited August 3, 2019 by J sin
I’m a idiot and shouldn’t be allowed to have a smart phone

[sodfather]

Check out the spot today and birds are tearing the millet tops off. Obviously I planted to early didn’t think the seed would mature that fast but any suggestions ( Real Suggestions) on what to do about this.. looked online and some had tin plates on stake and string . Anyone know of anything I can spray on it ?

Im reaching here 

[Lawdwaz]

Jay are you busting birds off when you check on it?  I’m just curious.