I found this little spot last season and didn't hunt it, don't know why but, I didn't, that is in the middle of thick little area. By little I mean it is maybe 125-150yd long and 60-80yd wide. There is a spot where grass was growing in the middle last season that is shaped like an old thermometer. The round part is bout 30-40 feet across then it narrows down to about 20 feet give or take a few feet wide and 60-90 feet long. The length could vary as I may hinge cut some tree in that area to create some bedding. I have another spot on the outside of the thick stuff I am going to make another small plot in that a tree is right between that will be in bow range of the more secluded plot and the one on the outside edge. This will be one of two small plots, maybe three and an additional 2 bigger plots. It does get some sun but, not a ton. Now there was some type of grass growing in this area and growing good last season so I know something will grow and I will be taking roto tiller to it as I know taking an ATV and disk in would be more trouble than it is worth. My question is, what should I plant that is irresistible to deer and will grow?
Absolutely. We've found that planting clover and oats together in the fall makes for an awesome combination. Both forages will germinate and grow for the hunting season, so you'll have an attractive and nutritious food source at one location. However, by planting in the fall, the clover will establish a strong root system before it goes dormant and won't have to worry about the stresses of drought or overgrazing. So, in the spring, the clover will explode out of the ground and the deer couldn't even eat it down if they tried. I talk about it a little more in depth and with photos here: http://www.bowhunting.com/blog/post/Food-Plot-Strategies-and-Food-Plot-Maintenance.aspx
Have you had any success with hunting over them during the middle of October. I am seriously contemplating planting these together since i love to eat oats myself and you cant beat clover.
While I've never had any "success" while hunting over them, I would certainly recommend you plant this combination and hunt over it all through October. I never actually shot anything while hunting over the plot, but that's in large part due to the fact that deer on my property can literally access the food plot from any direction and use that to their advantage. I never once sat right on top of the food plot, I was always pack in the timber a little ways or tucked back in an inside corner. Had I sat right directly on the plot, I probably would have shot a nice doe or two. That's this coming year I guess. Point being don't let ignorance deter you from planting and hunting over this combo. Every afternoon I hunted the food plot I would see 10+ deer from the minute I got in the stand until dark. I just could never guess where they were entering the plot on the right day.
Oats you can plant pretty late in the season and have good growth. I planted it one time in mid October and the deer started hitting it in about 3 weeks. I would buy a bag of throw and grow and plant that in September then a bag of oats in October.
Ok so what about planting or at least hitting these areas with a roto-tiller now or at least by May? Can I plant it in may? I would like to use it for early season. I would really like to fill the freezer early then focus on public land big buck furring rut then come back to my property in late season.
May is pretty late to plant clover, it won't have much of a chance to establish a root system and will burn up in the heat of summer. The oats won't be very attractive to the deer in the fall if planted in May, they like the tender green shoots of new plants. In my experience fall planted clover does much better and stays weed free longer. You would be better off getting your dirt in shape over the spring and summer and planting late summer early fall. Spray with Round up or some generic equivalent and let it kill off the vegetation at least once and your tilling job will be MUCH EASIER. Then ammend the soil with lime and fertilizer and till it in and then plant. The sooner you can lime the better, it takes a while to work into the soil and do it's magic.
If you have decided on the clover, I would wait until the fall and mix it with oats. The clover will be stronger next year spring, summer and fall than it will at any point this year planting during the spring.
Thank you this was exactly what i wanted to hear. You could try some hing cutting to concentrate deer to one area.
I'd suggest clover as well. Anytime I'm planting anything, and not just baiting, then it's clover. Deer always seem to take to it.
