Deer Food Plot Planning

January 10, 2024 webmaster

Many of our customers purchase our sprinklers specifically for deer food plots. Supplementing the natural diet of the deer throughout the year on your property keeps them healthy, fattens up the bucks and keeps the herd active in areas you want them to remain.

However, going forward without a plan in place though can be a waste of time and money. Planning will be essential to your success.First thing to keep in mind is the importance of your soil for planting. If you want to plant a good deer food plot, take the time to test your soil, plant a crop just as if you were planting for a farm and fertilize properly. Others who have skipped testing their soil have thrown away their time and efforts in the process. You can achieve much greater results as a result of proper planning. Planting near bedding areas and away from human traffic will increase your chances of producing throughout your season. Plant too close to the bedding areas may increase more night feedings so consider selecting a plot at least a few hundred yards from the bed areas. Plots from 1/2 to one acre are ideal although 1/3 acre plots can be very successful if planned and placed correctly.

The right time to plant and the right crops to plant for Oklahoma will not be the same for Texas, Idaho or Ohio. Look at your region for proper planting times for spring, summer, fall or winter plots. Keep in mind that you don’t want to plant too early and have the does over-forage your plot, leaving it a barren wasteland for the bucks just as hunting season is beginning. The proper time to plant your crops is often a trial and error experiment. Ask others in your region when they plant so you can learn from their experience.

When looking at what crops to plant, you should consider what season plot you are planning for as well as your budget, region and the experience of those around you. Below is a list of some of the successful crops other food plot planters have had in various areas of the U.S.

Alfalfa
Corn
Soybeans
Clover
Chicory
Rye
Oats
Winter Wheat
Winter Peas
Cowpeas
Mungbeans

Creating a deer food plot for your property can be a great way to provide secondary nutrition to the herds on your land, especially during times of stress. However, planning on your part is essential to avoid costly setbacks and disappointment. You can achieve the results you want and keep the deer and your hunters happy with deer food plot plans.

Don’t Forget:
Test Your Soil and fertilize properly.
Ask about the experiences of others. Learn from their mistakes and successes.

Here are some of the best sprinkler systems available for deer food plots: