what to plant for deer

[georgia redneck]

O.K. So we have about 680 acres of very steep property near washougal wa. Prop has not been touched in about 17 yrs and was clear cut and not replanted that far back. We are wanting to bring in the bucks. So we would like to plant something up there that does not take alot of up keep. Thought of alfalfa, rye grass, but just want to know if there is any knowledge here with the guys that someone would want to pass on. Thanx. Oh and did I say S T E E P

[Armadillo]

vine maples and ground clover, the bucks in my area seem to be drawn to them like flies on sh#t.. what kind of tress have been replanted? and how high are they?

[DeKuma]

Looks like he said it has not been replanted........??

I have a similar situation on our propery near Colville.  A bio recommended a hearty food plot like Frigid Forage.  Have no experience in any of this so we have not done anything yet...........

[Armadillo]

Oh I read improperly lol. I dont know about the plots in a bag you can buy? never tried.

[DeKuma]

Do vine maples grow readily in the far NE?  Hot summers and Frozen winters?
Thinking about putting a small orchard on the hillside, but it is too steep on parts of it.  It maples like you say are hearty enough to grow well, may look into that.  Bag plots seem like a lot of work.  I want to keep it looking as natural looking as I can, meaning that it appears to be native plants.

[georgia redneck]

We have a few places we will probably plant some apples but man when I say it is steep I meen if we wanted to scout the entire property we would have to bring a tent and ropes. Which we will eventualy but we just gained access through longview fibres land what a fiasco that was. Will look into the vine maples and ground clover though thanx.

[stickslinger]

try fruit trees you won't be able to keep the critters away. just ask any farmer you know

[huntnphool]

Roses, the deer love them.

[TeacherMan]

Salt, apples, and a little "Comer Deer" 

[huntnphool]

Mossyoak Bio-logic Clover Plus is some good stuff. Drought resistant and grows back each year for about 5 years.

http://www.mossyoakbiologic.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=7

[LongTatLaw]

huntphool's MO biologic is a great start  + some nice apple trees!

[bearpaw]

try fruit trees you won't be able to keep the critters away. just ask any farmer you know

excellent advice and good for all wildlife

[corktex]

Huntnphool---beat me to it "clover plus"..Don't know if you can grow it there,but deer love peanut hay,aka peanut..I heard about peanuts from some old timers,long ago! They said to snack on peanut butter and apples while in the field,also!...Timers,gotta love 'em!

[SHANE(WA)]

Fertilizing the native forage works excellent too

[shoot-em-dead]

If it is that steep then cut some trails through and forget the planting. Deer like the easiest path. Also, the blacktails seem to be picky cause I put out salt blocks and apples for them for a couple weeks and I don't think anything touched them. Good luck