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Outdoor topics => The Outdoor Board => Topic started by: TroyC on August 29, 2020, 09:54:08 AM

Title: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on August 29, 2020, 09:54:08 AM
Getting ready for fall food plot planting 8) and was wondering what others in central Georgia are planting and having luck with.

I have good luck with forage oats, rape, and a little clover mixed in. I'm not super particular and probably don't prep as well as I should but a reasonable weed kill, plowing, seeding, and rolling work satisfactorily as long as it rains some.

I've tried sunflower and soybeans. They get eaten as soon as they sprout.  :'(

I've done 3way and 5way mix but I like to put clover on top.

I do 5-6 plots on 200 acres. Plots are mostly 1/2-1 acre in size.

So, hunters and watchers, whatcha planting this year?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: mike_belben on August 29, 2020, 10:00:53 AM
I put in a tiny plot of radish and turnip on a small dirt hill ive dozed up from stripping the top soil so the area doesnt brush in and obstruct the shot.  Its a narrow lane from a blind on another hill in my back yard.  The deer needs to be standing in a real specific spot for alignment thru the trees.

I also put pokeweed seeds in there.  its covered in native weeds theyve been chewing.  When fall comes all that will lean over but the turnip will hopefully stay thru much of winter.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on August 29, 2020, 10:15:16 AM
I put some of those big radishes in a few years ago and the deer didn't seem to bother them much. They will be on the oats a week or two after planting if it rains.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: mike_belben on August 29, 2020, 06:16:15 PM
Sorry i shoulda clarified.  I companion planted the radish to keep the flea beetles off the turnips.  Or atleast reduce the damage.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: A-z farmer on August 29, 2020, 09:05:42 PM
I do not plant food plots but the deer seem to eat everything we try to grow.I see others here plant food plots and they fence it off so it gets a chance to grow.We used to grow 5 acres of beets but the deer would eat them to the ground I even tried mixing them in with turnips but they still mowed just the beets down .There is 100 acres of alfalfa planted around my house and there is 50 deer a day here but they also eat the corn soybeans and apples every day .Good luck in your planting
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: braucher on August 30, 2020, 07:47:52 PM
I have six acres I split it up with winter rye oats and winter peas .
the other half is ground hog radish and purple top turnips .
I also have two clover plots about two acres lightly seeded with forage radishes for when the clover runs out .The clover plots are seperate from the six acres .
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: K-Guy on September 01, 2020, 08:39:44 AM

A few years ago, I think I had some cajun deer in my garden, they seemed to really like my green peppers!!  :D
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: jb616 on September 02, 2020, 11:49:05 AM
Radish and turnips are coming up and this weekend I will plant winter rye. One more time of winter rye in a couple weeks. My plots are new this year from cleared forest so we hit them with 2500lbs of lime this summer. Also tried buckwheat this spring to build the soil but the deer decided that they liked it better. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on July 30, 2022, 05:19:15 AM
Talked to my buddy about food plots the other day. And without a doubt Buck Forage Oats are at the top of the list to plant. That be what this boys going to plant. His big buck last year was in it when he arrowed it last year. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on July 30, 2022, 09:34:59 AM
Don't plant any food plots. Still lots of nice bucks around. This one walked up a path to a trail cam recently. Two more similar in rack size around too.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/June_buck.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1659188023)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on August 01, 2022, 06:45:52 PM
Nice, a late-night buck!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 03, 2022, 08:05:19 PM
It's Buck Forage Oats! When a Buddy becomes a dealer for Buck Forage Oats and says he's got a pallet coming to my place you say ok 💪. He believes in that stuff more than all the others. He moved to Iowa and no dealers close. So become one. He's only got about 25+ wall hangers. All shot with bow. I think my last count was 28
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: WDH on August 04, 2022, 09:54:49 AM
What makes Buck Forage Oats different than regular oats?  Also, Buck Forage Oats are $2.40 per pound on Amazon but Plotspike Forage Oats Food Plot Seed is $.60 per pound at Tractor Supply.  I would what the difference is?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 04, 2022, 01:02:37 PM
Buck Forage Oats are the best food plot seed for white-tailed deer on the market, period. Here's why: they're the first choice preference of whitetails, they're extremely freeze tolerant, they're resistant to disease and over grazing and they have industry best germination rates.

That's kinda the claim to fame

https://www.buckforage.com/ (https://www.buckforage.com/)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: brianJ on August 04, 2022, 02:10:43 PM
Quote from: WDH on August 04, 2022, 09:54:49 AM
What makes Buck Forage Oats different than regular oats?  Also, Buck Forage Oats are $2.40 per pound on Amazon but Plotspike Forage Oats Food Plot Seed is $.60 per pound at Tractor Supply.  I would what the difference is?
The higher price makes you feel better.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on August 04, 2022, 02:37:39 PM
QuoteThat's kinda the claim to fame

That is the claim.. but does it work?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 05, 2022, 05:51:25 AM
My buddy has been the top 3D champion in the nation. Takes big bucks year in and year out, hunts Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska and knows a network of hunters that believe Buck Forage Oats are tops. A guy we both know that farms a couple thousand acres and has a side business of selling deer feed and food plot seed will tell you that Buck Forage is the most palatable and freeze resistant for his food plots and many others.  He gets food plot seed and bagged deer feed by the semi load. Pallet after pallet in big machine buildings that he sells to customers and outfitters in Kansas and southern Nebraska. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 12, 2022, 02:31:05 PM
Pallet of Buck Forage Oats baby 💪. Let's get to planting. For all the fans of the cheap seed Or should I say quality seed. We got it to 😂 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/38DB2F0B-8611-46F2-970E-6338CEB198E5.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1660328906)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/3339FD82-53E8-499F-8D63-3E9856A74DCD.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1660328882)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/86642111-CA02-4E0E-8804-819CB2968D93.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1660328942)
   
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on August 12, 2022, 05:06:11 PM
How many pounds to the acre are you putting down? Drilling them or broadcast?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 12, 2022, 06:21:00 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/6DEDECE8-48CB-446D-8ED9-AC402AB2DAE5.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1660342805)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/08E495BE-7192-46EE-8801-F10D8924908F.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1660342789)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on August 12, 2022, 07:22:32 PM
So do they come back up first for forage in the spring in harsh winter areas like winter rye does?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on August 12, 2022, 08:10:14 PM
Unless that's some strange hybrid all the oats I've planted are done once they get hit by frost. Very little if any come back that I've noticed even when they were fully headed out. 
Certainly interested in first hand experience with it :P
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 12, 2022, 10:38:09 PM
They are a annual and very freeze resistant
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on August 13, 2022, 08:05:53 AM
So forage oats must be awnless so the deer will eat the seedhead?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on August 13, 2022, 08:18:31 AM
What temperatures are you seeing freeze resistance down to?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 13, 2022, 10:46:16 AM
On the freezing it's going to be a pretty hard freeze. Plus the ground temperatures hold for quite sometime. It stays green after the hard freeze also. My buddy from Iowa came and picked up several bags and said he really likes it for a cover crop planted with your chicory and clover that will come up in the spring. Another good thing to do is frost seeding late winter over the snow on your existing plots to help boost them a little. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 13, 2022, 11:00:22 AM
Jeff if you plant it to early in the fall it can head out. You can mow it or the deer will be mowing it. Usually when you plant it later it's not going to get to the heading out stage and is going to be nice and lush and stay green after the hardest freeze and that's where these oats shine for fall and late winter
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on August 13, 2022, 11:07:14 AM
https://www.buckforage.com/frost-seeding/ (https://www.buckforage.com/frost-seeding/)


https://www.buckforage.com/combination-planting/ (https://www.buckforage.com/combination-planting/)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on August 13, 2022, 12:28:06 PM
Frost seeding is a very effective way to get early season food plots/ cover crops in especially for those without access to tillage tools and equipment. Had great success with clover using this method. 
The natural freeze thaw action creates the seed to soil contact. Lets Mother Nature do most of the work. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on August 13, 2022, 12:34:23 PM
View from a blind over looking new plot areas.  I've doing more mulching another quarter mile back hopefully next week

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20220813_111010.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1660403383)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on August 13, 2022, 02:04:32 PM
In central Georgia I broadcast about 100 lbs/acre, screen and roll. I use Plotspike. Tried Coker and saw Plotspike does a lot better. Think I paid 25.00/50 lbs last year for Plotspike. I add a few pounds of clover and I get good results. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on August 13, 2022, 02:07:41 PM
Quote from: Jeff on August 12, 2022, 07:22:32 PM
So do they come back up first for forage in the spring in harsh winter areas like winter rye does?
Plotspike last me thru the winter but not much regernerates. I replant every September.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 20, 2022, 07:46:39 AM
Food plots are going in today. Yesterday was a record at 100 temp.  Average 78 this time of year. 95 is the record and it should easily be broke today. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 22, 2022, 03:55:11 PM
Got my Buck Forage Oats drilled in several different areas. Here are a few areas. So we need some rain would be nice. Just sprayed some areas and drilled in. Nothing fancy with the seed bed this time. Some other pictures of my buddies food plots he planted earlier
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/1053D441-B07A-45DB-9E1D-A8A6E786581A.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1663876406)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/AC921EE1-490B-4486-9332-6696E00E2095.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1663876210)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/2307C141-834B-42EF-B1F4-6F655473A644.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1663876208)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/21C704FE-7934-4347-B34D-0648086E58CA.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1663876205)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/8AC57309-689E-4EDA-ADE7-63CD45ABD3F9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1663876204)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/EDAB89A9-D0E7-47FE-A283-3380C31AC8CC.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1663876092)
 of Buck Forage Oats and Chicory in Iowa. He said they have had a lot of rain.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 22, 2022, 04:10:54 PM
His food plots were with a little disk that he puts in his hitch on his Kawasaki side by side and hand broadcasting. That's the results 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 29, 2022, 09:45:23 PM
Got my plots in last week in central Georgia. No rain so far, not good. Went with Coker oats this year, Plotspike went to 30.00 and fertilizer is 20.00, each 50 lbs. Cheaper to buy steak than feed deer now!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on September 29, 2022, 10:10:23 PM
This nice buck was into feeding on my meager planting of buck oats. Seemed to like them, more than other deer that ate a bit but moved on. 

https://rumble.com/v1m1z2s-september-29-2022.html (https://rumble.com/v1m1z2s-september-29-2022.html)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 30, 2022, 01:27:18 AM
Very nice!!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 30, 2022, 01:32:48 AM
Need rain really bad! Would have a nice stand of Buck Forage Oats if we had some rain. None for a long time and nothing in the forecast anytime soon 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/2C4D0AD0-7CE3-4FBA-8109-BC6A2BB7DA6E.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1664515921)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on October 01, 2022, 05:16:39 PM
This is in front of our primary blind. The cabin!! Clover mix with a brasica mix, the last week I over seeded with 100lbs winter rye. Lots of deer salad. Lots of deer poop. They found the corn down from the house too.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20221001_162232.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1664658934)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20221001_162300.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1664658906)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20220930_121540.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1664658957)
 

Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 01, 2022, 09:08:26 PM
You lucky dogs! Beautiful food plots. You should feel pretty proud of the hard work getting them in and your shooting houses ready to go. Nice job! Now let's see some deer cam pictures! 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 02, 2022, 08:21:32 PM
If we get some rain these oats would take off. This is where they are at. Absolutely bone dry with no rain. A picture of what it looked like with just roundup and then drilled. No mowing. You can see it coming up through the dead grass  
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/EC7DCD7C-C8D9-4134-8453-F924848162F1.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1664756411)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/146DBBF8-1DA2-458D-AD98-65D50F18C1DD.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1664756424)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 02, 2022, 09:52:04 PM
That's why you plant Buck Forage Oats! My buddy always by bow. This morning 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/BD136E84-7C68-49C6-BD05-D8CE1939C4B4.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1664761874)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on October 17, 2022, 10:45:32 PM
I got all 5 of our food plots disked today and planted the Grandson's two plots.  I will plant and cover my three tomorrow. 

With the cold front on it's way I'm looking for it to be windy.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Southside on October 17, 2022, 10:54:44 PM
Didn't I just see those two guys on the Buck Forage Oats bags in a fishing tournament somewhere?  :D
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 17, 2022, 11:09:36 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/DE8F65C9-6459-470B-A4E0-442295F36863.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1666062527)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/DC9BD3D8-B398-4123-9AAC-7668844E814C.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1666062525)
 Must be a double 😂. Two big bucks in Iowa. Buck Forage 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on October 18, 2022, 10:07:04 AM
Well, those food plots sure look nice. Planted mine last month and no rain until couple days ago. ☹️
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on October 18, 2022, 08:11:59 PM
I laid mine by today today and we have rain forecast for Tuesday & Wednesday.  Kinda late but it is what it is.  At least I should not have an army worm problem.

I have planted earlier and had tall grass the 1st of October and nothing toward the end.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on October 18, 2022, 08:16:55 PM
Mine really neede some fertilizer, but that simply wasnt possible. Enough has come up that I have about 6 doe and or fawns living here. They should attract something I can put in the freezer. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 18, 2022, 09:34:03 PM
Quote from: TroyC on October 18, 2022, 10:07:04 AM
Well, those food plots sure look nice. Planted mine last month and no rain until couple days ago. ☹️
I hear you there!!! Me be didn't turn out as expected due to no rain.

Jeff you can be pretty proud of making and getting the food plot area started! 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on October 24, 2022, 12:17:20 PM
Nice looking food plots gentlemen! I was pleased that we got ours in in mid September and even better that we got a nice rain on it a few days later....then the rains stopped!!

Don't know now if we will have much of anything grow, but have seen a nice 6, two 4's and a tall spike pronghorn about and numerous does so hopefully my grandkids and sons will have some good hunting anyway  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Nebraska on August 13, 2023, 08:55:23 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/55256/20230812_181129.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1691929944)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/55256/20230812_182057.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1691930053)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/55256/20230812_182102.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1691929892)
 
So my number two son really wants to put in some time deer hunting  and asked me to help him  put in some new food plots. He came up and bushogged the spots, I came up week ago and got them worked up. Yesterday I brought the drill up and re worked two of the plots they  needed to dry a little more. Heavy mucky bottom soil.  In the mean time Teresa arrived and helped  me with lifting the drill off of the trailer. Then we hustled off to plant as rain was coming. Finished the little spot up by the house in a shower but as long as the ground doesn't crust I couldn't have gotten them in better.
Had good help last night. :)
Then we went to town for supper, it was pretty good too except they brought me the wrong beer in a diet Bud glass....Glad we were sitting back in a corner.....

Since this was my sons grand idea I am leaving one plot for him to plant hopefully later this week. He needs to learn the grain drill and see the process because someday it will be up to him...
Ignore the old guy in the top picture...
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on August 15, 2023, 05:49:49 PM
Hey Nebraska! Wanted to ask what you plant in your food plots? Here we usually just use a mix consisting of Austrian winter peas, clover, rye grass, oats, possibly trefoil, and some other seed that I can't recall at the moment. Feed store is receiving their shipments this Friday so we'll be picking up 200- 300 pounds. Our plots are not that really very large but have several.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on August 16, 2023, 11:23:25 AM
I have 3 planted, plus my clover field down to the pond.

In one I put a mix of clovers trefoil and chicory then topped with dwarf rape. 

In the second one, red medium clover, with a nurse of forage oats. Then the third, was imperial whitetail clover again topped with oats. Planted 6 days ago.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Nebraska on August 18, 2023, 07:52:52 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/55256/20230817_095356.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1692358299)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/55256/20230817_101951.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1692358301)
 
My middle son running the tractor, just got his flight instructor certification done last week. Waiting to hear from a couple flight schools he  applied to. He will teach and build flight hours and move on to an airline to fly commercial.
Not sure about the backwards hat thing....

Short answer to what we plant is mostly rye and turnips.  

Since there are 100's of acres of row crops within a mile of where we hunt, I try for something different. Green that persists into winter...

This years versions came from various mixtures of commercial foodplot seed i picked in July at a farmstore closeout sale. 

A mix with, winter peas, oats, triticale,and red clover.
A turnip, rape, and radish mix, and a variation with buckwheat. Radishes
A mix with a couple typed of wheat. I don't worry about clover much as there's 40 acres of alfalfa right in the middle of the place. 

@JD Guy (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=59644) 
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on August 18, 2023, 11:53:32 AM
We have a large deer population here in the upstate of SC. One of our challenges is to attempt to get food plots in late enough where they aren't all grazed down prior to gun season which opens 11 October.. Between archery and primitive weapons the season is 15 September to 10 October and none of the family does archery anymore.. Gun season ends 01 January. There are no row crops within 10 miles of our property so any plantings that are appealing get gone pretty quickly.
Thanks, @Nebraska (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=45256)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on August 22, 2023, 06:16:08 PM
I usually try to get mine in around Sept 15-20. Nothing fancy, just oats and clover. Seems foolproof and works great as long as it rains after planting. Been pretty dry lately.............
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on August 23, 2023, 05:54:02 PM
For sure, having some moisture in the ground is key component for us too!!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on August 23, 2023, 06:09:37 PM
My plots are suddenly looking green, I hope it's what I planted!

Here is cedar messing around in my clover going down to the pond from the cabin.
Cedar in da clover (https://fb.watch/mCeWXAn7Jw/?mibextid=R5ymit)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Nebraska on August 29, 2023, 07:41:01 AM
My food plots still look like dirt it went back to over 95 and no rain...Just stale hot air....
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on August 29, 2023, 07:55:51 AM
I can not plant until October to avoid Army Worms.  :-X
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 02, 2023, 07:34:50 PM
Deer food a coming on. Close green, just a hodge podge of clovers and other stuffs. Far green, the mix below, with top of dwarf essex rape and forage radishes. Really started growing rhe last 3 days.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20230826_085139~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1693697656)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20230902_162913.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1693697647)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on September 04, 2023, 01:57:18 PM
Planted a donut-shaped food plot with radishes, turnips, wild rape, and some forage oats August first. Turkeys picked up the oats rather quickly before they germinated.

The tops are up and some deer take a nibble or two as they pass by, but eat the brush leaves or the wilted walnut leaves in preference. Picked up trail cam cards and was entertained by these three bucks that are together (10 pt, and two 8 pointers). 
Thought FF might be interested so assembled the 20 some 20-second videos into one. 
I use Rumble non-monitized and a trailer seems to attach itself at the end, which is annoying but can be stopped. 

 

https://rumble.com/v3ek5hc-three-bucks-jousting.html (https://rumble.com/v3ek5hc-three-bucks-jousting.html)

Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 04, 2023, 02:23:02 PM
Absolutely interested as always! Nice work and video 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on September 04, 2023, 08:54:06 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: thecfarm on September 05, 2023, 09:03:16 PM
I like that.
My grandson has pictures of a fawn and a buck. Kinda odd to see them side by side.
I feed the deer in the winter time. I feed in a long line, about 50 feet. There was a line of deer eating, head to head. One deer came along and it was like the Red Sea being parted. All the deer  stepped back as it went by and came back in line as it passed.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Nebraska on September 06, 2023, 07:43:21 AM
Food plots planted going on 3 weeks in dry soil and no rain don't make for very good progress pictures..... ::)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 06, 2023, 09:15:53 AM
I've been very lucky on rain for food plots this year, but had 3 nights in the 30s last week had me concerned.

Broadcast day of a rain, 4 weeks today. I fertilized yesterday. Rain coming today.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20230906_085450.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694006000)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20230906_085518.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694006011)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20230906_085337.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694006030)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on September 06, 2023, 12:38:18 PM
Planted more food plots this morning. Hoping for rain this week. Supposed to have some tomorrow, and it will be 4 weeks since the last 1/10 of an inch.

Just radish, turnip, forage rape, kale, etc. and I can't tell one from another when they germinate and grow green leaves.

Jeff has a nice green crop of food for his deer. 
Am finding they will cruise through the radish tops and nibble a few but prefer the brush growing alongside. That may change after the leaves fall, and hope the radish etc. tops will remain after that time.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: rusticretreater on September 06, 2023, 01:02:44 PM
Had a ton of rain earlier this year and now they say there is a drought in Virginia.  Most of my veggies cashed it in for the year.  Not gonna waste my time with the second planting.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 06, 2023, 01:45:27 PM
I'm hoping, since I'll be one of the few places around here for miles a deer can get a salad in about 6 weeks, I'll have some deer moving in.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 08, 2023, 12:09:30 AM
First night for cell cam on one of the foodplots.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/b74e646e-36f6-4038-9ecf-cc66f87cb8e8.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694146136)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/f2a5de0e-e2ba-4602-8093-e739744b857f.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694146134)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 08, 2023, 12:33:01 AM
Exciting! 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 11, 2023, 01:10:52 PM
This clover is doing outstanding for a fall plant.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/075a6850-c807-4d93-80a5-0b09de1aa240.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694452231)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20230911_122013.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1694452206)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 11, 2023, 02:35:34 PM
Looks fantastic! 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on September 14, 2023, 12:41:08 AM
Picked up trail cam card today at the donut shaped food plot, and was pleasantly surprised at the buck activity between Sept 3rd and today Sept 13th. Made this rather lengthy video to show the results. The bucks didn't disappoint at all. They stayed active right up to today, just after midnight. Sound up will tell about the antler rattling and the rivalry behavior. I apologize for the tacked-on videos at the end but don't know how to avoid them. 


https://rumble.com/v3hh6eu-bucks-presenting-early-september.html (https://rumble.com/v3hh6eu-bucks-presenting-early-september.html)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 14, 2023, 08:28:06 AM
It was also interesting to note that you are looking at a bachelor pad with no doe activity.  I wonder what will happen when that little 10 point gets 2-3 more years of maturity on him.  Bet he won't tuck and run then.

Nice video and activity.  :)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on September 14, 2023, 11:37:52 AM
MM
thanks
I pulled out all the doe events.. and there were prolly as many in those 10 days as the bucks. I was glad to see that the deer were starting to eat the tops of the turnips/radishes, etc. rather than just walking by and sniffing at them, while eating the non-planted green leaves adjacent to the planted plot.


Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 18, 2023, 07:45:45 AM
Build it and they will come.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/411a4510-1538-44f3-84ee-ad61222ced79.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695037533)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/2352345f-6231-4a12-bd69-313a06e14e65.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695037533)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 18, 2023, 08:51:04 AM
The Midnight Marauder.  8)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 18, 2023, 11:24:42 AM
He's inspecting your handy work 😂
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 18, 2023, 04:25:44 PM
Hopefully yall can open the fb vid.

Update Your Browser | Facebook (https://fb.watch/n8r4h2W25b/?mibextid=CDWPTG)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 18, 2023, 04:53:03 PM
Grazing.  :)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 21, 2023, 08:50:52 AM
This dude aint in my food plot, but he's on my neighbors bear bait pile back about 400 yards from my back corner.  What a bruiser!!


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_20230919_221525.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695300639)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 22, 2023, 10:09:46 PM
The old apple tree isn't technically a food plot, but it sure was busy this last week down state. I got back to the u.p  today. There needs to be some shootin, and not deer. It sure it a beauty though aint it?

Week of camera on the old apple tree (https://fb.watch/ne0qT1VKE8/?mibextid=TFl8gu)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 23, 2023, 06:40:38 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/IMG_20230916_104106051_HDR~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695464887)
 


Ran the bushog over the plot last week, then the flail mower. Pulled the root rake to break it all up. This plot is a little over an acre.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/IMG_20230916_104110385_HDR~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695464886)


Couple of passes with the disc harrow, then broadcast oats. screened the oats in, then applied the clover on top. Rolled the plot with roller.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/IMG_20230920_082238239_HDR.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695464878)
  

Three days later clover is up! Plot went in last Sunday, I noticed yesterday the oats are up just a little after 5 days and starting to give the plot a green tint. Hoping for some rain now!

I agree with Jeff. If I had a critter like that in my plot I think I'd start hunting early!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 24, 2023, 09:11:10 AM
WHO NEEDS A BRUSH HOG EH? (https://www.facebook.com/reel/2425862380919390?mibextid=g7yvfi)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on September 24, 2023, 08:23:49 PM
Can't eat it fast enough. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: thecfarm on September 25, 2023, 05:24:17 AM
Looks like it is enjoying the food plot!!!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 25, 2023, 09:13:28 PM
I was finally able to make a few moves on our Food Plots:

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4664.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1695689142)
 First, I am appreciating the 50 gallon Diesel transfer tank that I added last year.  I always have sawmill Diesel in the truck so keeping it topped off is a simple matter.  This is so much better than lifting the jugs to the tractor hood.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4667~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1695689138)
 I sprayed Roundup in July to kill the "water grass".  I got a good kill so it was a simple matter for the Kubota M4900 and 3008 Bush Hog to knock the remaining grass down.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4668.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1695689148)
 We have not had any measurable rainfall since May so I used the single tooth subsoiler to break the surface pan.  Any rain now will soak right in.

My goal is to disc and plant toward mid-October.  Hopefully we will get some rain before then.

I still have the Straw Field to bushhog which is about 5 acres but there is no pressing need other than I want it done before deer season opens on November 18th.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: NE Woodburner on September 26, 2023, 10:23:31 AM
Quote from: Magicman on September 25, 2023, 09:13:28 PMWe have not had any measurable rainfall since May


This is amazing to me as I just saw on the news in our area we are 14" over average rainfall so far this year...
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 26, 2023, 11:41:59 AM
The last rain I had here was1.7" and that was on sept 6th.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 26, 2023, 01:03:57 PM
Looks like rain is headed to central Georgia. Hope my food plots get wet today!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: customsawyer on September 26, 2023, 06:24:01 PM
Most of it stayed south of us. We got a little but not enough to get to excited about. Since you planted shallow it will help though.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 26, 2023, 06:40:45 PM
Darn, I was hoping for at least half an inch. >:(
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on September 26, 2023, 09:04:08 PM
Well, rain or not I ran the field cultivator over the food plots last week after bush hogging and sure wish that I had burned them down before that because there was quite a lot of grass that had grown. Nevertheless a couple of passes with the disc a few days later and then again today and the seed is in the ground. Calling for 40% chance of some liquid sunshine tomorrow so we'll see what happens! No pictures but I will try and get some when it comes up!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 26, 2023, 09:11:38 PM
Our forecast for the next 10 days is 60°'s night, 88°-90° day, and no rain.  :-X
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on September 27, 2023, 01:42:47 PM
Quote from: Magicman on September 26, 2023, 09:11:38 PM
Our forecast for the next 10 days is 60°'s night, 88°-90° day, and no rain.  :-X
I feel your pain  ::)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 27, 2023, 03:55:47 PM
Quote from: JD Guy on September 26, 2023, 09:04:08 PMWell, rain or not I ran the field cultivator over the food plots last week after bush hogging and sure wish that I had burned them down before that because there was quite a lot of grass that had grown.

I had that problem in my plots. The bush hog would cut the grass but not mulch it up. Then the root rake would clog with grass about every 20 feet or so. Because of the short window I have I could not wait for it to dry out and burn. I got the flail mower this year. It mows down to an inch or so and grinds all the long stuff into clippings. All the difference in the world! Now the root rake will tear it up nicely and then a pass with the harrow and it is good. My harrow is only 4' and not real heavy so it wont disc up without the rake first.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 27, 2023, 04:09:01 PM
Which is why my goal is to spray in July thus killing the volunteer native junk.  I have been discing it in and basically replanting the junk each year.  My thought is 3 years of spraying should break the cycle.  I know that it was nice not seeing much "water grass" this year for a change.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: customsawyer on September 28, 2023, 05:33:18 AM
It should be good to go now Troy. It drizzled off and on all day yesterday. Nice and slow, so most should have soaked in.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 28, 2023, 06:57:01 AM
Saw that, looked great! I put in a small plot by the barn feeder and really loaded it with oats and clover. It should sprout now. Keeps the deer interested while waiting on the feeder to go off.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on September 29, 2023, 08:57:10 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/2CAA8ED27834_1695991187201.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1695991385)
 
Jake, looks like the drizzle did it! Photo is from this morning, green is the oats I planted last Saturday. Planting to feeding right about a week, I love oats in the plot! Simple, cheap, relatively easy. After hitting the feeder the deer will often hang around another half hour or so once the plot gets up a little. I usually put a mineral block out and the does really hit it while they are pregnant.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on September 29, 2023, 11:56:08 AM
If I don't get some rain soon, my great looking foodplots are going to get ate to the ground before gun season.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on September 29, 2023, 05:46:57 PM
Quote from: Magicman on September 27, 2023, 04:09:01 PM
Which is why my goal is to spray in July thus killing the volunteer native junk.  I have been discing it in and basically replanting the junk each year.  My thought is 3 years of spraying should break the cycle.  I know that it was nice not seeing much "water grass" this year for a change.
You have the right plan, no doubt! I just got behind this year and ended up with more grass "clumps" than I would've preferred after the scarifier and disc. Won't make a heck of a lot of difference if we don't get some rain soon though  :(
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on September 29, 2023, 07:05:10 PM
Our lack of rain is worrisome.  I just looked at the 10 day forecast and nothing.

I will have to disc and plant mid-October regardless.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on October 01, 2023, 09:56:35 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/2CAA8ED27834_1696168416397.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1696168369)

A little more rain would help but so far plot is working!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on October 07, 2023, 08:24:21 PM
I Bushhogged and subsoiled almost two weeks ago so regardless of whether it rains or not, I had to disk and get my seed in the ground.  After I finished disking,

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4696.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1696724273)

 Grandson followed behind with the fertilizer and seed.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4697.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1696724177)
 And then I covered. 

We leave for Colorado in two weeks so what had to be done, had to be done.  If I loose it, I will have to belly up and buy some more seed.  We have a 30-50% chance of rain Wed-Fri.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: customsawyer on October 09, 2023, 06:45:38 AM
You must be a nicer guy than my Grandpa. Mine would have scolded me pretty good if he saw my foot resting on the clutch.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on October 09, 2023, 08:06:22 AM
Jake I think your grandpa was cut cut from the same cloth as the guys that showed me how to run farm equipment  :D . Hope you guys get enough rain to kick those seedings into gear. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on October 09, 2023, 08:33:06 AM
I am glad that you noticed that because I didn't.  :-X  I well remember my Dad scolding me rather harshly when he saw my foot resting on the clutch petal. 

I have the proof on my phone so it will be handled. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: customsawyer on October 09, 2023, 02:30:54 PM
I had a neighbor ask to use my tractor one time and I said sure. As he was going across the yard I noticed his foot on the clutch. I stopped him and asked him to not ride with his foot on the clutch. He replied "heck it don't matter". I said "you're right it don't, now get off my tractor". He hasn't asked me anymore. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on October 09, 2023, 03:22:51 PM
Problem solved 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on October 09, 2023, 07:02:18 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/2CAA8ED27834_1696892532870.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1696892462)
 

If you plant it they will come............
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on October 14, 2023, 01:08:11 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/IMG_20231014_130200~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1697303126)
 
Looks like the food plot down in the woods is working also!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on October 14, 2023, 01:26:00 PM
Lots of buck activity around my small donut shaped food plot of radishes and turnips. Seems to be a location that has attracted bucks where they spar with each other for some dominance, I am guessing. These smaller ones were determined to be the winner. 

Young bucks fighting (https://rumble.com/v3o3x61-young-bucks-fighting.html)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on October 15, 2023, 06:43:23 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on October 17, 2023, 10:35:42 AM
Shoulda, coulda been in my blind yesterday morning. Trail cam watching over the hanging tree branch for a licking branch, as well as the decoy stake that has become a "licking" stake, and some turnip/radish tops for food plot, seemed of interest to this decent buck visiting everything. But alas, I wasn't there in the blind. 

Buck at blind (https://rumble.com/v3pt2b4-buck-at-blind.html)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on October 17, 2023, 05:39:29 PM
A good one! They always know when to show up. ;)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on October 17, 2023, 07:00:14 PM
Wow. 


Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on October 18, 2023, 10:48:22 PM
Gosh that's nice. Somehow they always seem to know when it's safe. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 20, 2023, 03:13:57 AM
There is my food plot headed for Kansas today.300 bucks 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/IMG_3361.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1697785954)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/IMG_3362.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1697785942)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: chep on October 20, 2023, 07:40:06 PM
How sporting of you  ;D
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 21, 2023, 03:35:20 AM
So sporting two feeders took almost the full load and getting another load for two more of the same exact feeders. Plus there is plenty of corn on the ground in the field 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/IMG_3367.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1697873634)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/IMG_3366.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1697873651)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on October 22, 2023, 08:02:55 PM
Picked up camera card and this time had several bucks of various sizes in front of my blind. They paid no attention to the small food plot of radish and turnip tops, but did rally around the 3 yr old hanging branch that continually gets some attention. Even one doe standing on her hind legs to reach higher.
Couldn't figure out what to edit out, so just left it for whoever might want to watch. And again, I wasn't in the blind (yet ;D)

Blind buck activity October 20 (https://rumble.com/v3r1r9d-blind-buck-activity-october-20.html)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on October 22, 2023, 10:38:05 PM
Are you using a scent on the hanging branch? Great morning buck activity at the blind.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on October 22, 2023, 10:59:04 PM
Ron
Have never added any scent to this branch. All natural from the bucks and doe smelling, rubbing and licking it year around. Same with the stake in the video. Left it there two years ago when taking the doe decoy home, and it is just a hard maple stake pounded in the ground. Thought that I would hang up another branch this year, but don't see any need to do that. Have duplicate combination at the other end of this walnut plantation that shows the same behavior. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on October 28, 2023, 11:26:46 PM
Two nice bucks duke it out at midnight a week ago. Appears one gets a wound under his left eye. I am surprised they don't lose an eye or two in these clashes.
While watching these videos, I noticed my hanging branch tipped upside down so made a trip out to re-hang it today. Even when turned upside down (limbs up), a buck came by and apparently could smell it, so stopped to scrape the ground and urinated on his rear legs. 


https://rumble.com/v3sas3m-bucks-fighting-oct-17.html (https://rumble.com/v3sas3m-bucks-fighting-oct-17.html)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 28, 2023, 11:55:09 PM
Nice video. They are playing. Things can get ugly when it gets serious. Several years ago while bowhunting  two bigger ones were going at it in the field and it turned ugly when the dominant one kept pinning the other buck to the ground and several times blew him off his feet when he tried to get back up.  I about got out of  my stand to get him out. He ended up moving on and it took a little bit but the other one got up and moved on 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Ron Scott on October 29, 2023, 05:00:54 PM
A good display on how the large bucks can often injure one another and even become hooked together.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 03, 2023, 03:37:34 PM
Its a start eh? Feeding in the clover in the middle of the day between the cabin and the pond. 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/VideoCapture_20231103-153435.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1699040242)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on November 03, 2023, 03:48:26 PM
Going to take the chance that he will be around and bigger one to two years henceforth? Nice looking deer.  8)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 03, 2023, 04:20:16 PM
If I find out no one is hunting around me, I may, but this country is different here in the farther north. So many things to prevent a deer from being here next year. Bears, lions, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, and worst of all for a big rutted buck, winter.

I would surely like to, but Id take him before Id take one of the twin 4pts that live here you may have seen in my videos. I'm sure they were button bucks here the year before. The guy in the video can either become part of my collection, or I may try to eat him. Ive not had a deer in 5 years. Maybe 6
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: beenthere on November 03, 2023, 05:41:13 PM
I'd say take him, if you get a chance. i.e. a bird in the hand...  ;)

Good luck too. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 04, 2023, 08:59:40 PM
A short low flying flight, actually just to practice flying, and to look over what will probably be the best clover I'll ever grow. Its been amazing.

I'll probably never have another clover field as nice as this one. - YouTube (https://youtu.be/jbtRl5QtigI?si=Y3jAZg4kaJ7zBKwG)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on November 05, 2023, 08:06:17 PM
 I'd vote to let the little ones walk. After a year or so they are likely to survive unless a hunter or the winter is extremely bad. Look closely- 5 bucks feeding in the food plot I planted mid September. Center left is a really nice one!

br>(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/IMG_20231014_130200.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1697303095)
 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/00000521.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1699232028)

I'll take this one if I see him. Reminds me of an Elk! Right now bucks are feeding at night but rut next week should change things and they will make a mistake.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/61033/00000301.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1699232028)

I think this is one of the oldest deer I've seen on my property. Scars on neck from fighting, broken antlers, and looks like antlers are in decline. Short face.  I bet he is on decline from old age. Not many make it this far.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 05, 2023, 08:22:51 PM
My opinion is that if I do not shoot they might make it.  If I do shoot they did not make it.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 09, 2023, 08:26:18 AM
Getting bigger
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/VideoCapture_20231109-081941.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1699536369)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on November 09, 2023, 12:24:12 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/IMG_0019.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1699550567)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/59695/IMG_3196~0.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1699550564)
 You're absolutely right Magicman. With the exception of many variables. Especially of genetics in the area and hunting pressure of harvesting smaller bucks. Everybody's situation is different and you need to make the choices that depend on your variables in your area. Here are two examples of management practices and passing on the smaller ones from two friends one in Iowa and Kansas this year. The one friend in Iowa doesn't use cell cameras by choice and only does food plots. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 09, 2023, 08:30:20 PM
Iowa and Kansas is worlds away from the u.p. of Michigan.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 09, 2023, 09:41:59 PM
I have not seen my food plots since I planted them on Oct 7th.  With no rain, my Grandson says that they look exactly like they did when I planted.

The weather forecast says that we have a 47% chance of getting .02" of rain tomorrow.  Our season opens on the 18th and I plan to be there.  Just tradition.

I do not put out any corn.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on November 10, 2023, 11:30:40 AM
We are in about the same spot as you are Magicman. No rain since planting but we have a "chance",@ .2 inches of precipitation over the next day and a half >:(.

We don't feed either, maybe just semantics putting in food plots but I'm old fashioned that way.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 10, 2023, 01:31:40 PM
I think that we got our .02" this morning and I never even had a chance to git nekkid. 

I have native Fescue surrounding my food plots so the deer will come anyway.  They always munch on the Fescue before they come to the plots anyway.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on November 11, 2023, 05:30:55 PM
My plots are looking poorly but today's 1" or so should perk them back up. Rut starting here, should be fun this week!
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 11, 2023, 08:10:03 PM
Ben was at the Cabin today and he just told me that our plots are finally sprouting.  Maybe this bit of rain that we are getting will make it jump.  Hope so.

They did see a really nice buck but it offered no shot for the grand.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 28, 2023, 10:16:20 AM
It's amazing that seed know what to do.  I planted during the 1st week in October and those seed remained in the dry soil for over a month and a half.  With moisture, they sprouted and I now have a nice stand of Oats and Wheat.  Hopefully I can top-dress with Nitrate soon.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 28, 2023, 12:45:27 PM
My foodplots are becoming buried. 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 28, 2023, 05:31:28 PM
No Sir, your footprints will always be there.
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_3788.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1517148113)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on November 28, 2023, 05:42:26 PM
 :) Is my brass on a nail? :)

I meant here.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/20231128_083113.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1701211297)
 
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on November 28, 2023, 06:33:56 PM
OK. 

Yes, I looked for the picture and could not find it.  It's here somewhere.  When I go back I will take another.  thumbs-up
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: JD Guy on November 29, 2023, 06:38:05 PM
With what little rain we've received since planting food plots it has surprisingly come up however we have a very good deer population and they just keep mowing it off :). Supposed to get 1" total over the next 3-4 days and that should help boost the plants a bit. Oldest grandson hunted opening day of rifle season here at our place and passed on a really nice 8 point because he "wanted to see what else might come along". I'm really impressed with his maturity and he wasn't the least bit disappointed about letting it walk. He did take a better 9 point a couple weeks later at his Dad's place so maybe good karma was at work 8)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on December 04, 2023, 08:58:34 AM
OK, already planning for next year. My setup was really good this year but want to make it better.

Got 2 things in the works. Soil samples done and I'm going to put in another 1/2 acre plot about 250 yards from the one I hunted this year. I drew in some really nice deer and saw lots of nice bucks in the early season. Elevated shooting shed going between the two plots so I can view a 360 area from a high spot and watch both plots. New plot will be just up from a seasonal creek bed just inside a heavily wooded old growth area that the deer traverse continually.

Two questions:
1. I plant oats and clover. Works great for me, simple, affordable. My soil isn't the greatest, sort of sandy, and the oats are very forgiving. The mixture provides plenty of protein and the deer love it. My friend gave me some chickory seeds. Gonna try that in the new spot to see how it does. Any tips or pointers on the chickory and how it will do in central Georgia?

2. Looking for a new shooting shed. I've made a few, 4x6, 3-5 feet off the ground, simple, cheap, easy to move with tractor forks. For the new spot I want higher, at least 8' to the floor. Been looking at the factory ones made from plastic but lots of people complain about the doors sagging and falling off after a year or so. I'm considering erecting a wooden platform and then building the house on top. I could construct the house at the shop and transport it out or build in the woods. I'd prefer not to build in the woods. My needs are simple, doesn't need heat or A/C, just a dry roof and 360 degree viewing ports with a lawn chair.

So, my two questions- what can I expect from the chickory, and what sort of elevated shooting houses have worked well for you? Metal base, wooden base, factory or homemade shed?
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on December 09, 2023, 03:31:50 PM
Quote from: Jeff on November 28, 2023, 05:42:26 PM:) Is my brass on a nail? :)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4953.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1702153142)
 
Yes Sir @Jeff (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=1).  I took this picture yesterday evening.  There has only been one buck taken since you got that one in 2018.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4955.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1702153148)
 
The Strawhouse was built in 2000 by PatD and I and yours is the only non-family deer ever taken from it.

I only saw 9 head yesterday.  (Does & young.)   

Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Walnut Beast on December 09, 2023, 03:47:04 PM
That's pretty neat. Looks like you have a couple nails looking to get filled
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on December 09, 2023, 04:13:16 PM
There I is! Even if I forget everything else, I'll never forget the memories spent with my Mississippi Family.

First memory up. Lynn falling off the porch while eating crawdads. I know'd I I was where I was suppost ta be. :D
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Andries on December 09, 2023, 04:21:40 PM
Deer love to pick up acorns under the burr oak trees. No need to plant anything.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/IMG_5621.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1702156358)
The dogs know that there's no chance of catching those speed demons.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Andries on December 09, 2023, 04:26:32 PM
This buck came snuffling for acorns just outside the kitchen window.
Final destination, the bbq in the foreground?
Ironic, eh? 😆
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/IMG_5541.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1702156361)
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: newoodguy78 on December 09, 2023, 04:46:05 PM
Andries that's one very thick necked buck.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Magicman on December 09, 2023, 05:18:56 PM
Quote from: Jeff on December 09, 2023, 04:13:16 PMFirst memory up. Lynn falling off the porch while eating crawdads. I know'd I I was where I was suppost ta be. :D

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_1777.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1484745697)

Yup, I did back my chair too close to the edge  :o  but we still ate some Crawdads.   food6

Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: Jeff on December 09, 2023, 06:01:44 PM
My mouth is watering.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: customsawyer on December 10, 2023, 04:17:51 AM
The deer around here really like messing with Chief. He thinks he is herding them. They think he's not to smart.
Title: Re: Food Plots!
Post by: TroyC on December 10, 2023, 03:58:06 PM
If those deer could learn how to kick the ball for him they would get along really well, smart or not.