I know some of you guys have really studied food plots and have some good knowledge you've developed already... I've never investigated it too much as I've never owned any land to do anything with. But... tonight, the landowner in Illinois who owns the main farm I've hunted for the past decade or so called me up and wanted to know what I would suggest to him for putting in as far as food plots. He said he'd like to put in several and wanted to know if I had any ideas... What do you guys suggest? If you guys use a particular brand that's a mixture of different seeds, what all does it contain? He was thinking if something like that was the most popular, he could just probably buy all the ingredients and mix it up himself. Thanks so much gang!
Greg: Will these plots be to hunt over, or to attract and hold deer on the property year round? If its going to be a plot to hunt over, Biologic Maximum and Biologic Full Draw are my two favorites. This year I tried Tecomate Ultra Forage as well which is a similar blend of brassicas, and it seems to be doing just as well if not slightly better than the Biologic products.....I haven't seen how well it lasts after frost though quite yet. I like these plots because they produce a LOT of forage per acre when compared to other seed blends. Typically, the deer will stay off them until first frost when the cold sweetens the starches in them. They don't always wait though, this year both jmbuckhunter and I have had our brassica plots hammered early. Main ingredients in these are different types of New Zealand brassicas including rape, kale, and then they will mix in turnips as well. Hope this helps. I know most people have seen these by now, but below are some pics of my brassica plots:
Thanks, Matt... You and John were obviously two I had in mind in making this thread. I'm thinking hunt over... but if they hold deer on the property as well, that'd be a bonus. So it's basically a mixure of rape, kale and turnips, right?
That's the main ingredients. They don't list on their website, but do list on each bag. If you head to a Bass Pro/Cabelas/Gander Mountain you can just look at a bag to write the ingredients and % of each seed to make your own mix. Just a thought Greg, and I don't know how big your plots will be or how much ground you have to work with. I usually try and keep main food sources away from my "kill" plots. My biggest plot pictured above is about 1.5 acres, and is big enough that even though they are browsing it early, it will last all season long. I almost never hunt this plot, maybe one time a year. It's just off some well used bedding cover and I just let it sit unpressured. If I do this, there will always be deer to hunt on the property. My other two plots I will hunt over, they are each about 1/2-1 acre in size. These two "kill" plots don't have any primary bedding cover within 200ish yards.
Next year I got some idle spots near old pastures I am going to put into food plots. So I am gonna see what works best for John and Matt this year and borrow a few of their secrets. I think total area I will have is a few (more than likely two) 3/4 acres plots. I think one would be a kill plot, another would be a holding plot. Good luck with your plot Greg.
Greg, Matt took the words right out of my mouth. I planted Biologic Maximum this year and it has really taken off. I havent been watching it to see if the deer are hitting it yet though, im glad you said something Matt. I will check to see if they are toady. Im hoping they hold off till the first frost. Like matt said, they produce a TON of forage per acre which is key for the areas with high deer density... Heres a couple pics of mine. I also planted some buck forage oats. Im very interested to see how the deer like these.
