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Attract More Deer to Your Hunting Land
Thanks Marty. I enjoy your letters and web site.I have a question about seeding trails for deer. I live in east central Minnesota and have 40 acres with mixed hard wood trees on 16 acres and the rest is hay fields. All around me are fields of corn, beans and some times alfalfa fields that the deer use a lot. My hay fields are mostly grass, and I have some trails through the woods. I would like to know if it would pay to seed the trails with something this spring to get more deer to come in and stay. And if so what should I plant?
Thanks for any help Jeff
Jeff,
Thanks for the great question concerning food plots.
Being surrounded by corn, soy bean and alfalfa fields may cause deer to travel off your land in search of food. Corn and soy beans are like candy to deer, and if given the choice of plain grasses or alfalfa, deer will generally go the extra distance to eat the higher protein alfalfa.
“How to Grow Quality Deer Food Plots” was the topic of a recent Free Deer Hunting Tips newsletter. In the newsletter, I cover choosing a food plot location, picking the best seed for your area, the importance of soil testing and much, much more.
To view the full newsletter click this link http://free-deer-hunting-tips.com/articles/quality_deer_food_plots.htm
If you are not receiving your Free Deer Hunting Tips Newsletter and would like to, you can go to http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com to sign up today.
To help attract and hold more deer on your hunting land, and since you have a fair amount of grass hay fields, I would do the following:
Attract More Deer
Since you have grass hay fields bordering your woods, plant several smaller food plots along the edges of your wooded acreage. I have spoken to a seed company representative and food plot expert who said small strips planted along the wood edge will help keep the deer from wanting to travel to neighboring farm fields to graze.
These strips need only be about ten feet wide. You can either plant a food plot border along the entire wood edge, or you can make several smaller food plots of varying lengths along the wood edge.
In regards to planting the trails you have into your woods, by all means plant them. In order for the food plot on the trails to grow, I recommend the trail be at least six foot wide.
I have created walking paths in my woods, and the deer use these regularly. The key is the walking paths must be sheltered or in locations where the deer feel safe. Having your walking trails double as a food source for deer should help keep a few more deer on your land.
The more food you have available to deer on your land, the less likely deer will be to move into neighboring fields in search of food.
Choosing the Best Seed
Choosing the correct seed is important to your food plot’s success. There are several factors that go into choosing what is best to plant in your area. I covered choosing the right seed and creating the best food plot in a recent newsletter called, “How to Grow Quality Deer Food Plots.”
To view “How to Grow Quality Food Plots” in its entirety, click this link http://free-deer-hunting-tips.com/articles/quality_deer_food_plots.htm
Soon I may be offering food plot seed developed to grow very well in the northern part of the United States and seed that grows well throughout the United States and Canada. I will let you know as soon as this becomes available through www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com .
Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Marty Prokop
www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
Posted by Marty Prokop
Comments
Thanks for the solid ideas on food plots. I appreciate you investing the time in helping our sport. Great Blog.
Tim
Posted by: Tim at March 21, 2007 8:50 PM
Hi,
Would do you think about planting Rye for a deer food plot. Seed is less expensive and I heard you can disk it under in July and it will reseed it's self for the next fall. What do you think or what advice do you have?
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by: Dave at October 22, 2007 1:57 PM
Dave,
Thanks for your great question.
If you have not done so, I suggest you get a soil sample taken.
Your soil test results will tell you the soil's ph as well as how much fertilizer and other additives you'll need to add to the ground to produce ultimate growing conditions for whatever seed you choose to plant.
Yes, rye grass is an option for deer food plots. Many of the name brand deer food plot seed companies have certain products containing rye grass in their blends.
I agree rye grass seed can be a cheaper seed to buy, but sometimes cheap is not always best.
Another thing to consider is diversification of your food plots. Instead of planting one large rye grass field, try planting several smaller 1/4 to 1/2 acre food plots with different forages.
Different types of plants will keep attracting deer year long. For example,clovers and chicory are great spring and summer food for deer.
As the temperature drops in the fall, sugar beets, turnips and kales become sweeter and more palatable for deer.
There are even seed blends that claim to stay green under snow during the winter offering the deer a great food source when food is normally scarce.
A properly maintained food plot will offer you many years between plantings. I spoke with one deer hunter who planted his food plots seven years ago and they look as good today as they did their first year.
Do what I did. Test several smaller bags of food plot seed from several companies. There are some companies that will give you free seed samples to try. See which grow best on your land.
The ones that attract deer and grow well for you would be the ones to consider.
Buying food plot seed can be pricey, but the rewards of growing big bucks and healthy does is worth it.
Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Marty Prokop
Posted by: Marty Prokop at October 22, 2007 11:19 PM
