Texas Hunting Forum

alfalfa

Posted By: letshunt222

alfalfa - 06/09/18 09:54 PM

I'm going to put out some alfalfa to try and attract some axis in.

I built 1 hay feeder that I will throw a bale in. I want to throw a couple of other bales around the place and just leave them on the ground.

Should I throw it out with the wire still on? should I leave the bale intact? should I break the bale up and spread it around?

Thank you for the advice.
Posted By: don k

Re: alfalfa - 06/09/18 10:34 PM

From personal experience Axis don't give a rats a** how the alfalfa is presented to them. If you have Axis around they may come to it. The next day, week or month you may never see them again. Unless you are HF Axis don't become addicted to any supplements. Including corn, protein or alfalfa. I have a small LF place. I can put out a camera and you may see 6 big bucks eat at the feeder one time. You may never see them again. Same with Axis does. I have learned that if you see an Axis you want you better damn well shoot it because you may never see it again.
Posted By: BayouGuy

Re: alfalfa - 06/10/18 02:57 AM

Posted By: letshunt222

Re: alfalfa - 06/10/18 04:30 AM

I guess it's better that they're attracted to Alfalfa than to spanky.

Im just going to throw some out and see what happens.

Do you think adding some sweet feed on top will help? or is alfalfa enough to draw them in?
Posted By: don k

Re: alfalfa - 06/10/18 11:44 AM

Originally Posted By: letshunt222
I guess it's better that they're attracted to Alfalfa than to spanky.

Im just going to throw some out and see what happens.

Do you think adding some sweet feed on top will help? or is alfalfa enough to draw them in?
If you could talk an Axis doe in heat to stand on top of a bale that might work out pretty good.
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: alfalfa - 06/10/18 12:54 PM

Axis love alfalfa.
Posted By: don k

Re: alfalfa - 06/10/18 03:30 PM

Originally Posted By: Erathkid
Axis love alfalfa.
They do if they are around. If I see any in the area I may put some out. Then again I may put it out and only the WT eat it. Axis are completely different than WT. WT generally hang around the same quarter mile or so. You feed and you generally see the same deer except when the rut is on. Axis on the other hand have a roaming territory that I have no idea is how large. Around here especially during the summer they usually stay a quarter mile or so from the river. Other times you never know where they might show up one day and then not see any for a month. Like I said if they are like the ones around here if you see one you like you best take a shot at it. A while back I counted 32 at my LF place and have not seen them since.
Posted By: Always ready 2 hunt

Re: alfalfa - 06/11/18 04:02 PM

Just throw the bale out. I would not remove wire or bust it open. Eventually WT or AXIS will find and eat it and hope you are there when that happens. Hunt when you can and if you have access to fresh alfalfa, throw one out (can't hurt).
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: alfalfa - 06/11/18 05:23 PM

I would not put out full bales till they find it and start eating it. I would bust a bail and put it out in several locations if there are no cattle or other livestock on the place.
Posted By: Schpanky

Re: alfalfa - 06/12/18 01:44 PM

Originally Posted By: letshunt222
I guess it's better that they're attracted to Alfalfa than to spanky.

Im just going to throw some out and see what happens.

Do you think adding some sweet feed on top will help? or is alfalfa enough to draw them in?


....never had one attracted to me as far as I can tell....
Posted By: predapex

Re: alfalfa - 06/12/18 03:37 PM

Love to put a tracker on a axis just to see where the heck they go for weeks.
Posted By: Black02z28

Re: alfalfa - 06/12/18 07:49 PM

Originally Posted By: stxranchman
I would not put out full bales till they find it and start eating it. I would bust a bail and put it out in several locations if there are no cattle or other livestock on the place.


This.
Posted By: dogcatcher

Re: alfalfa - 06/12/18 09:59 PM

Originally Posted By: Black02z28
Originally Posted By: stxranchman
I would not put out full bales till they find it and start eating it. I would bust a bail and put it out in several locations if there are no cattle or other livestock on the place.


This.


In my part of Runnels county alfalfa has been a bust unless area hunters are also feeding it.
Posted By: jeh7mmmag

Re: alfalfa - 06/12/18 10:08 PM

Originally Posted By: Always ready 2 hunt
Just throw the bale out. I would not remove wire or bust it open. Eventually WT or AXIS will find and eat it and hope you are there when that happens. Hunt when you can and if you have access to fresh alfalfa, throw one out (can't hurt).


Have you ever seen cattle or deer that have baling wire wrapped around there bleeding sore legs. NOT pretty.
Posted By: letshunt222

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 03:19 AM

I ended up taking a bale, busting it up and putting 1/3 in three different spots.

I have cameras on all three spots so I will report what I find (if anything).

Thank you for all of the input.
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 03:23 AM

You are going to have to post pics of the plant you saw that looked like a grain. To hard to guess what it could be without pics.
Posted By: Creekrunner

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 03:30 AM

Originally Posted By: predapex
Love to put a tracker on a axis just to see where the heck they go for weeks.


My theory is thick cedar breaks. But whatta I know.

I put a camera on alfalfa for a short time (in axis country). All I got was whitetails goin' to town!
Posted By: pigplinker

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 07:01 AM

Originally Posted By: jeh7mmmag
Originally Posted By: Always ready 2 hunt
Just throw the bale out. I would not remove wire or bust it open. Eventually WT or AXIS will find and eat it and hope you are there when that happens. Hunt when you can and if you have access to fresh alfalfa, throw one out (can't hurt).


Have you ever seen cattle or deer that have baling wire wrapped around there bleeding sore legs. NOT pretty.


Yes to this! TAKE THE BINDING OFF. Wire or String take it off.
Posted By: letshunt222

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 10:39 PM

So I was walking the land. My new to me land and I came across this field. Looks like maybe a food plot was once planted here? Maybe some sort of hay? Anyone know what this is? Will it be beneficial?

Posted By: Cast

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 10:41 PM

Looks like oats?
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: alfalfa - 06/13/18 10:54 PM

Looks Rescue Grass but I am not real familiar with all the grass up in that area. That would be a grass that grows in the winter time and resembles oats. Can't really tell from that pic but Google Texas Rescue Grass and see if it looks like it to you. That looks like a natural clearing or opening. Could have been an old field and now has regrown in Junipers.
Posted By: jeh7mmmag

Re: alfalfa - 06/14/18 02:29 AM

What county?
Maybe sideoats grama

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