7/5/07
Food plots are more important this year
By Terry Madewell

Terry Madewell Photo

Food plot preparation is crucial to success; it can be as simple or large-scale as you desire. The key is to get food plots planted.

Food plots for wildlife, especially deer, are always a key ingredient to hunting success. The more effort you put into food plot preparation, usually the better results you’ll have.

But it could be that this year, food plot preparation will be even more important. Because of the late freeze that hit most of the state, mast production is likely to be way down for several naturally occurring food sources for deer.

According to Charles Ruth, Deer and Turkey Project Supervisor for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the late freeze had a dramatic impact on many food sources.

“The white oak mast production is almost certainly hard hit across he entire state,” Ruth said. “The white oak pollinates and produces fruit in the same year. The red oaks pollinate one year, fruit the next. We don’t know yet if the freeze will hurt that food resource.”

“But we’re thinking it has also hurt persimmons, crabapples and other natural foods that deer rely on as well,” Ruth said. “If that’s the case, then we’re very likely to see deer moving around a lot more this year looking for food. We do know that when there is a heavy mast crop, deer don’t need to move as much for food. This year, odds are good they will ”

Thus, food plots may play a very important role in where deer travel this year. A lot of hunters have already or are now planting summer crops for deer. These plantings will be followed up later with fall and winter food spruces. Getting the deer started coming to the food plots now is the main idea. Start working now for deer success this fall is the main idea.

Generally plantings established in openings may consist of two types. One type may be a perennial food plot that may contain a mixture of foods that are cold season grasses and legumes that can be planted during the early spring or fall planting season.

A second type may consist of annual grains such as millet, buckwheat, sorghum, soybeans, cowpeas and other grains. Both food plots provide a high-energy food source that is available to wildlife during the critical winter period. The high carbohydrate, seed producing species can be knocked to the ground during the fall and winter allowing easy access to the grain.

Food plots typically are established on land that is ready for tillage. How much and how many are the next questions that are usually asked.

However, even using simple equipment such as a four-wheeler, a small seed spreader and a homemade drag, you can work up old woods roads and other narrow strips into highly effective food plots.

Most wildlife biologists agree that food plots should comprise from one to three percent of the available area. More than this is usually not necessary. By monitoring the food plots during high-use periods, you can determine if the plot is adequate.

A good rule of thumb is to plant two-to-three acres of ground for every 100 acres available. A good example would be for a 1,000-acre tract of land, make approximately 20-30 acres of food plots. Ideally, you should divide these 20 acres into at least 10 different food plots. I generally prefer even more plots, even though smaller in size, within limitations, of course. But if you have an already large field that is two or three acres in size, you can plant an extra large food plot as well. Take advantage of the land you have at your disposal.

A good minimum size for a food plot should be around 1/4 acre; anything smaller is just not very effective. Usually, the maximum should not exceed four acres. However, if it becomes apparent that the deer are over-browsing the plot, consider enlarging the plot or switching to a more productive variety of plant. The size of the deer herd can make a big difference as well.

The best places to establish openings are around areas with cover and limited human disturbance. Proximity to a water source is a real plus, too. If you plan to hunt these areas, don’t drive though them repeatedly looking for deer. Slip in quietly and get into a stand and look for them down the business end of a good scope.

Even if you don’t plant cowpeas or beans during the summer, or if you don’t have these type areas to hunt, you can still prepare some excellent food plots for the late season. Right now is a great time to start and again in September and October for fall plantings.

You’ll eat more venison, and perhaps even wild turkey next spring, if you’ll plant and properly hunt the food plots.