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food plots #1123147 12/23/09 02:22 AM
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JDowns Offline OP
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Just wondering to food plots really make a difference in how many deer you see.
I was thinking about planting some food plots for the spring and just wondering is it really worth all the work thats involved in it.


Re: food plots [Re: JDowns] #1123440 12/23/09 04:10 AM
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jhptxrancher Offline
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my experience has been hit or miss with the food plots. really depends on what native food sources are already available and the pressure on those sources. Deer WILL use the food plots as part of their daily nutritional intake but the food plot will compete with the native forage for the attention of the deer and other game. On my 2000 acre south texas ranch, we have 200 acres of leased commercial agricultural fields that are planted in winter oats and milo through the early spring then peanuts summer through late fall. The deer hit the fields mostly after dark. They still browse on the new growth of native forage as well as the crops throughout the spring and summer until the oak trees drop their acorns. After the acorns are gone, the deer hit the peanuts hard during harvest.(if the acorn drop is late, the deer will hit the acorns before and after the peanuts are harvested) After harvest, our corn & protein feeders get the most attention until the winter oats are up. (full year food cycle). I know that it probably may be different in your area though. Talk to your local wildlife biologist and soil conservation specialist about your place. They are the professionals and can be of immense help.


Re: food plots [Re: jhptxrancher] #1123526 12/23/09 04:41 AM
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okietex Offline
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If you dont have enough acreage of plots your not doing much good. It can help w/ deer sightings maybe add a couple deer to your land. There is no magic to hunting. If you dont plant enough your not going to be happy. JHPTXRancher had some great insight but most problems are to many deer not enough planting


Re: food plots [Re: okietex] #1125173 12/23/09 11:59 PM
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gary75758 Offline
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Have doubled number of deer on my place with food plots, but like Okietex said if you dont have enough acres of food plots, they get over browsed really quick and you will not be a happy camper bang texas


Re: food plots [Re: gary75758] #1125252 12/24/09 12:32 AM
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psycho0819 Offline
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Agreed, we've been putting in spring and fall plots for about three years now. Really increased the total acreage this this year. And this year we're seeing more deer than we have in any year past.

Not so sure how spring plots alone would help the numbers when season comes. We started with fall plots, expanded to spring plots as well, then increased the acreage on both. This year will see more of an increase too. And every year after that until we see a stabilization in numbers, and a surplus of food left over by the deer. Then we'll know we hit the limit.

I know this year, we had neighbors scratching their heads wondering why the deer were moving to such different patterns. Had one neighbor comment on it. Food plots! Our plots! No one else around us plants them on near the scale we did this year. And the deer reacted.

Just my experience so far.

Jay



Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.

The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.


Re: food plots [Re: JDowns] #1125299 12/24/09 12:49 AM
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Spike1 Offline
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We have a 514 acre ranch just outside of Crowell. We planted 3 small food plots & have noticed this year a huge increase in the deer population.


Re: food plots [Re: Spike1] #1125324 12/24/09 01:00 AM
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jjandcompany Offline
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weve tried plots 20 years and lack of rain doesent help. So in 08 went with rolled peanuts,, Cost of planting vs rolls are same ,And deer #s are getting higher on place and carrying fat ,,Going peanuts from now on..


Re: food plots [Re: jjandcompany] #1125541 12/24/09 02:32 AM
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huntindude Offline
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Originally Posted By: jjandcompany
weve tried plots 20 years and lack of rain doesent help. So in 08 went with rolled peanuts,, Cost of planting vs rolls are same ,And deer #s are getting higher on place and carrying fat ,,Going peanuts from now on..

what are rolled peanuts? googeled them and found nothing. Im curious


Last edited by fishindude; 12/24/09 02:34 AM.
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