I hunt in a Missouri river bottom there is about 8000 acres of crops in this river bottom. Most of the woods I hunt are long and narrow and run between the leave and the Missouri river. I have several differ types of food plot (clover, soybeans, winter peas and wheat, crimson clover, radishes and wheat). Milo is usually my go to plot for early season but I got them in late because of high water and the milo is not mature yet. The deer are not really hitting any of the other food plots yet. My question is what the other river bottom hunters on this forum do for early season tactics and is there any food plots you have luck with during the early season. Also most of the crops are still in standing harvest has been slow because the crops are not a far along as they usual are this time of year.
have you tried sugar beets? Deer in MI tear them up and they are typically in season early. They do well in sandy soils which I would imagine your river bottoms have. Also, think about apples if you have a few years or just planning in the future.
To be honest with you, I have a real problem finding any mature bucks early season in the bottoms that I hunt. If there would be corn planted it may be a different story, but I definitely don't find them with the beans. I usually just have to wait until the last 2 weeks of October before I get any sightings. The beans are usually out by then and the big boys are just starting to show themselves. I would just be patient and don't try and push the issue with the mature bucks. Give them some time and they will show up.
