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Food Plots Food plot rookie :)

Mag

Mag

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Bought my first piece of land for hunting this Summer. Total of 34 acres, 6-7 of which is open area with two sizable clover plots in place as well as Dunstan Chestnut and Oak saplings planted. This open area is surrounded with woods that have a steep incline to a top ridge where I have done most of my sits and see deer regularly. The surrounding neighboring property is similar, open fields with cattle and thick woods and virtually zero hunting pressure. No main roads.
My dilemma is this...I am seeing little to no activity in the clover plots. Even the neighbor who runs the cattle says he doesn't see many in the fields. I'm wondering if I am being impatient or should I consider planting something else like Soybean?
 
Mag said:
Bought my first piece of land for hunting this Summer. Total of 34 acres, 6-7 of which is open area with two sizable clover plots in place as well as Dunstan Chestnut and Oak saplings planted. This open area is surrounded with woods that have a steep incline to a top ridge where I have done most of my sits and see deer regularly. The surrounding neighboring property is similar, open fields with cattle and thick woods and virtually zero hunting pressure. No main roads.
My dilemma is this...I am seeing little to no activity in the clover plots. Even the neighbor who runs the cattle says he doesn't see many in the fields. I'm wondering if I am being impatient or should I consider planting something else like Soybean?
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We always drill wheat in our clover. Our plots are getting hammered, I would be willing to bet it's a pressure thing making them nocturnal. 34 acres can get pressured very fast. I would not get rid of clover to plant soy beans personally.

With the drought this year we played with our fertilizer. And our fertilized plots are getting hit by a big percentage compared to our not fertilized plots.
 
I would never trade a good clover plot for anything else. You can enhance clover by adding wheat and turnips end of august/ first of September. Either hang a camera or put out an exclusion cage to judge how much pressure you are getting from deer. If the plots are too exposed maybe you need som cover or screen to make the deer more comfortable in daytime.
All of our deer seem to have been far more nocturnal this year when compared to recent years.
 
As others have pointed out, a productive perennial clover plot is a wonderful thing to have. Personally, I would monitor the plot 24 hours/day with a trail-camera before deciding the plot is not being utilized. Often, all activity is at night, especially during deer season.

The only time I would convert a perennial plot to an annual one is if food was at an absolute premium. Then I would go with a good warm-season annual followed by a good cool-season annual. In many cases, annuals produce more tonnage of food than perennials do. But if the deer have other food sources available (agriculture, weed fields), then I would stick with the low annual cost of maintaining a good perennial plot rather than the high cost and manpower of two annual plantings per year of an annual plot.
 
Popcorn said:
I would never trade a good clover plot for anything else. You can enhance clover by adding wheat and turnips end of august/ first of September. Either hang a camera or put out an exclusion cage to judge how much pressure you are getting from deer. If the plots are too exposed maybe you need som cover or screen to make the deer more comfortable in daytime.
All of our deer seem to have been far more nocturnal this year when compared to recent years.
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This is a good point, there was cover around the edges that was mowed down. Probably should have kept it high so they weren't exposed.
 
I really appreciate the input. Like I said, very blessed to have such a nice place, just have to figure it out.
 
Popcorn said:
I would never trade a good clover plot for anything else. You can enhance clover by adding wheat and turnips end of august/ first of September. Either hang a camera or put out an exclusion cage to judge how much pressure you are getting from deer. If the plots are too exposed maybe you need som cover or screen to make the deer more comfortable in daytime.
All of our deer seem to have been far more nocturnal this year when compared to recent years.
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Excellent point Popcorn. I analyzed data from our food plot sightings and found sighting rates were much higher from plots that had thick cover directly adjacent compared to those plots surrounded by open hardwoods. Deer are definitely more comfortable walking into a food plot in daylight if they have escape cover directly adjacent.
 
Popcorn said:
For me "figuring it out" is the best part! Hope you enjoy the journey and dont forget to post the pictures.
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1734701319169.webp
 
Mag said:
View attachment 258001
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Looking nice!
In this setting you likely have some crazy thermals that can make scent control more challenging. That redneck will help with that. Deer will learn to look at your windows. I highly recommended the curtain system and you might want to consider moving it to high ground so prying eyes are not above you. Just stick it into the wood line if possible and they will look at you far less often. You do you, just my thoughts.
Awesome looking clover plot! What kind of trees have you added?
 
Popcorn said:
A strip of cover there to the left would be good. Even if it's a 20 ft strip of Eagle summer buffalo blend or just Sudan sorghum with some peas or beans and the turkeys would love it to!
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Hard to see but if you go left of the Redneck blind up that rise where the tree tubes are there is another strip of clover. I have two single ladder stands and two buddy stands around the tree line. This property was set up primarily for turkey. The trees are a mix of Dunstan Chestnut and Oak.
 
Hunted this morning then spent a few hours working on the property. There are a lot of droppings throughout so believe they're visiting at night. Set a few cameras to confirm this. Next year I will allow the edges to grow up to provide better cover. There is a neighboring property that is approximately 25 acres owned by three out of state Sisters and is not used at all. Has a old homestead on it and is absolutely covered up with good deer sign. Going to try and make contact and make a offer, who knows we may be able to expand a bit.
 
Mag said:
There is a neighboring property that is approximately 25 acres owned by three out of state Sisters and is not used at all. Has a old homestead on it and is absolutely covered up with good deer sign. Going to try and make contact and make a offer, who knows we may be able to expand a bit.
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That's where the deer are staying during the day, then hitting your plots well after dark. The old homestead offers cover and woody browse, probably some forb browse as well.
 
Ski said:
That's where the deer are staying during the day, then hitting your plots well after dark. The old homestead offers cover and woody browse, probably some forb browse as well.
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I'm thinking the same. I moved a few cameras to that end to check on traffic.
 
Mag said:
This is a good point, there was cover around the edges that was mowed down. Probably should have kept it high so they weren't exposed.
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Beautiful plot. Study on edge feathering. Just think of no hard, clean edges. You can plant a variety of species to soften the edge or as mentioned, just let it grow up. Doesnt mean you have to let it go until you have woody encroachment , but bush hog a wide strip around edge only once a year or even every other year...see what you get by doing this and add to it as needed. Also, walk the edge of the plot and locate less desirable trees or trees that are crowding each other. Cut or girdle them and allow the sunlight in, this will also soften the edge and add diversity.
We must adjust what we view as beautiful when looking at the landscape. Big closed canopy forest with clean edges are of little to no value to wildlife...enjoy the process, its very rewarding making changes to the habitat and watching wildlife respond.
 
Mag said:
There is a neighboring property that is approximately 25 acres owned by three out of state Sisters and is not used at all. Has a old homestead on it and is absolutely covered up with good deer sign. Going to try and make contact and make a offer, who knows we may be able to expand a bit.
Click to expand...
If you are in a position to buy the 25 acres I would do everything possible to make that happen....but if they refuse to sell then offer to lease it...you could lease it for enough to cover their taxes and you could be there local to "keep an eye" on the place for them....but hopefully they will be interested in selling...good luck.
 

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