This might sound weird or stupid but how long before the deer in your area actually realize that the plot is there for them to eat?? I planted an acre of clover, brassica, oats and peas. Not really much happening in the plot. Have been kind of let down so far. The plot is in a field corner with beans and corn on 2 sides and timber on the other sides. There has been some action here and there but they have been hammering the beans, especially after being picked last week. Like I said this may sound dumb but has anyone planted a plot and it took awhile for the deer to actually hit it? Maybe in my head I expected much more knowing how many diff varieties I've planted. This is private property so I know the deer aren't pressured, they are in the bean field throughout the day. Just curious like I said. Any info or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Not sure where you're located, but maybe deer are eating different things in your area right now. They might still be focused on acorns or something. They have particular things they gorge themselves on during each period of the year. Once it gets a little bit later in the season and the frost starts hitting those brassicas, they'll look more appetizing and same with the clover. You said they've been through it a bit eating, so they'll remember it and come when it's time. As for how long it takes for deer to make a foodplot a consistent part of their routine. I have a lower deer population where I am, so it took 2 years before they started using it really regularly. I think it has to do with the fawns that are born during the year you plant your foodplot. It's always existed for them, so they'll make it part of their routine and regular route and pass that along. But if you have a mid to high deer population, I would think they would be on it the first year quite well as soon as the time is right.
Last year I had my first plot with Brassicas. They never touched them until dec/jan. Then they hammered them till there was nothing left. I frost seeded clover in this year.
With colder weather coming the deer will be hitting the corn hard. Corn heats up the body in most animals. I don’t want to sound like a debbie downer but I don’t think the deer will touch your plot until late season.
A lot of times it takes a few consistent frosts on a plot to change it's flavor to a deer's liking. There's so much available to them right now still and most of what you planted is more for the late season. Just wait until after the rut and they need to get back on the food for the winter, you'll probably be loaded with them.
Very few brassicas until nitrates fall will be hit unless other food sources are just not in existence. Food plots are too often blindly assumed to be a magic pill.
This is exacatly what happens in my plots...they don't touch them until DEC/JAN time frame, and when they get done, it looks like you've run a roto tiller thru it.......I'm changing things around next year, I want them in it...in OCT/NOV.......Not DEC/JAN
