Common Questions
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Small Parcel Food Plot
Q: What can I do with a 50 yard x 15 yard grass opening surrounded by woods on my 10 acre property?
A: Grass has no value to deer so it would be best kill it and plant Ladino white clover. White clover has a wonderful ability to regenerate as it is being grazed. It is a favorable food source to may species, honey bees and it fixes nitrogen in the soil. Ladino white grows taller than common white thus producing more forage per plant. It is a perennial so minimal care is needed. It will be the last green food of the year and will be the first in the spring.
https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_trre3.pdf
Q: What is the smallest size for a sustainable food plot?
A: The simple answer is unfortunately not a good answer: It depends on how many deer will visit your plot. According to Mississippi State University, deer will eat 6-8% of it's body in "wet food" (browse) each day. That's 6-8 pounds for every 100 pound doe every single day. A 1 acre plot of Ladino clover can produce over 10,000 pounds per year or 28 pounds per day. That will feed 4 does if that's all they're eating. However, we know they eat meals thru the day while they're not in the food plot. That's why browse and forage are equally as important as food plots on your property.
Q: I don't have enough room for bedding and food plots on my property, what's most important?
A: This answer needs to consider the properties adjoining yours more than your property. On small properties you need to know what your neighbors are doing more than on large properties (250 acres+). You need to supply what the deer are lacking in your area. It may be a lack of bedding due to large ag fields with narrow tree lines, a lot of swamp and you have the only dry ground for plots, mature woods lacking low cover. The criterial to consider is a considerable amount. One thing to strongly consider here is what will your travel paths be as you design the property. Be sure to avoid putting deer where you increase the likelihood of alerting them of your presence.
Minimum Food Plot Size
Food plots or Bedding
Water Source
Q: How important is a water source on my property?
A: Water is not as big of a concern as we might think for wildlife. They satisfy their needs primarily thru the vegetation that they eat. Rivers, lakes and ponds provide structure and edge that deer commonly utilize in their travels but rarely utilize them for consumption. During winter, northern deer have the unique ability to recycle their urine and dry their feces internally to conserve water. Consider forms of water as a enhancement of your hunting grounds and take advantage of the travel corridors they produce. Adding a water hole in a strategic location may provide great opportunities late season when there isn't an abundance of green forage.
Q: What do I do to get rid of moss that seems to be taking over my yard and garden?
A: Moss can easily be a love/hate relationship with land owners. It can be very appealing until it's out of control. To get rid of moss you need to primarily lower the moisture content of the soil. If possible, improve soil drainage, open the canopy to get sunlight to the ground and open the lower cover to increase air flow thru the area. Often, these aren't realistic options. A chemical treatment is always an option or better yet, a spray of diluted dish soap will set it back but neither will kill it. Consider the diluted dish soap spray then after it's showing signs of dying, rake the area to destroy the roots, dispose of the moss and broadcast a clover mixture into the area. Clover adds nitrogen to the soil which is less favorable for moss and will provide an attractive ground cover. This can be terminated in a couple years and a shade tolerant grass could be planted.
Q: I have very sandy (or clay) soil. What do you recommend I plant?
A: The best option is to implement a no-till process by drilling a mixture of forbs and forage into the soil. This is also the best option for great soil. The process involves doing this in the spring and fall. Each planting utilizes the existing plant, root and microbe structure to build the soil quality and hold moisture. It should produce noticeably improved soil quality within a few years. If that is not an option, a clover/chicory mix in sandy soil or a clover/rye grain mix for clay works great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv_PmJc6He0
Moss Invasion
Sandy and Clay Soil
Antler Growth
Q: How fast do whitetail antlers grow?
A: Generally speaking, a whitetail's antlers start growing in March and are full hard mid-September. It's exciting to see the growth thru trail cameras and binoculars thru the summer. This video will help you judge how big a rack may be based on the date you are witnessing your deer's progress.