Putting in new food plots for 2017

[HunterofWA]

So here's where I'll post up updates for my new food plots!

First off, the first picture is a small spot I have cleared back in the timber called, "The Backwoods Plot" it is about 560 square feet so it's pretty small but I'm hoping to make it into a good kill plot. The picture is taken from about 30 yards up on the slope.

The second is a plot I call "The Rabbit Plot" it is going to be planted in rye-grass. It's also about the same size as the other plot. I have almost completed tilling it (by hand, with a pick ax) and I plan on planting in about a month or so depending on how many weeds end up coming up.

Both these plots are looking like they have some decent potential so I'll keep you guys updated throughout the year on how they do.

(The last picture is the first plot I made on this property and since it is struggling pretty bad I'll keep you updated on how I repair it.)

[CP]

Tagging -

Good luck, I'm still struggling with my plots.

[HunterofWA]

On my larger plot, in the last picture, the rabbits are hitting it very hard and the clover is having a hard time. Moss is also taking over the are due the rain we have been having this year. I have also seen a porcupine around the area quite a lot, any ideas on how to keep him away from the plots? He seems to be eating it down a lot.

I plan to get rid of the moss with some iron, and then spread another coat of new clover seed over the plot to thicken it up a bit.

[Jpmiller]

I failed miserably at a food plot. But then the neighbor started growing alfalfa and I switched to sitting on travel corridors lol. Good luck to you, hope it works great!

[Huntingtony]

I'm planning on doing one in my field this year, gotta finish tearing it up with a bulldozer first though! Had I not busted it a few weeks ago it would be planted!

[huntbow]

Tagging
 I assume its for blacktail? 

[HunterofWA]

Yes, they are for blacktail.

[fishnfur]

Good luck! 

I'm wondering if you'll have much luck with that spot back in the timber.  Not too many deer goodies that I can think of grow well in the shade - only the typical shade tolerant plants do well in a hardwood closed canopy stand.  Trailing Blackberry and salmonberry in wetter environments might do well, but they probably won't attract deer from any distance.  It might be a great spot for a feeder though.  What are you thinking of planting there?

[HunterofWA]

Good luck! 

I'm wondering if you'll have much luck with that spot back in the timber.  Not too many deer goodies that I can think of grow well in the shade - only the typical shade tolerant plants do well in a hardwood closed canopy stand.  Trailing Blackberry and salmonberry in wetter environments might do well, but they probably won't attract deer from any distance.  It might be a great spot for a feeder though.  What are you thinking of planting there?

When I took the picture it was over cast, so it wasn't a good time to tell how good it is but I have been out there a couple times when the sun is out and it seems like it'll get a decent amount of sun. I am planning on planting clover, I doubt it'll last more than a year but I though I would give it a try since I have done a small spot like this before.

[bugs n bones]

My little project

[HunterofWA]

Nice looking plot! Is that for whitetails?

[CP]

Nice looking plot.  Mine still looks like this:

[HunterofWA]

I just spread some iron today on the Clover ridge food plot, I am hoping that the moss will die away and allow the clover to grow better. My next step is to purchase some seed and spread it as soon as I can.

Things are looking better though, I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

[bugs n bones]

Nice looking plot! Is that for whitetails?

Elk

[Huntingtony]

Is it too late to plant a plot on the west side do you guys think? And how well do they stand the summer drought? I won't be.home consistently to water....

[grundy53]

Is it too late to plant a plot on the west side do you guys think? And how well do they stand the summer drought? I won't be.home consistently to water....

Definitely not too late.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[Axle]

Is it too late to plant a plot on the west side do you guys think? And how well do they stand the summer drought? I won't be.home consistently to water....

Technically - it's called 'the wet side'. Gotta get with the program dude! 

[Huntingtony]

I know I know, I did a fair amount of damage to the tractor a few days before I went to Alaska for work! So there it sat, in the middle of the plot and I almost planted around it lol, though I'm home next week and it will be ready to plant an.acre in a day or two, just hoping it can root

[HunterofWA]

Update:

I spread the Iron about a month a go and it effectively killed the moss which is great, but I know have a problem with a bunch of weeds in the main Clover plot. I plan on weed whipping this soon to cut of the tops before the weeds can go to seed.

On my other plots I have decided to just let those go, I am kinda backing away from the whole food plot stuff for now since this area is getting hardly any deer activity and I have transitioned to public land now. I still will maintain this clover plot just cause I have noticed there's a good rabbit population that has sprung up.

The grassy plot is the one that was my fall food plot.
None the less, I have found these food plots to be effective for deer but since this area is getting extremely infested with brush the deer avoid it. If there was still some good deer activity in this area then I would keep this plots up but I think I won't be doing this type of stuff till some time later in the future.

[fishnfur]

I wouldn't give up too soon.  My timber property w/ red cedar has deer feeding on it all winter.  They quit coming in about a month ago. 

Once things green up in the spring, it seems they don't need to travel to eat.  Good food is everywhere.   Come late summer and fall, the deer will likely be in your plots every night - at least if you had a way to get water on it during the summer.

[LeviD1]

Anyone who does or did till up ground for a plot make sure to let everything grow before planting it. I made the mistake of not waiting and now I have been battling weeds in my clover because I didn't start with it all killed off.

[HunterofWA]

I can see the value in that now.