Food Plots for Ducks

[Shannon]

Its becoming a yearly thing the last few years where friends of mine who are farmers have pieces of land that are to wet to grow what they want to and they write off certain fields this time of year. These fields are just becoming dry enough to plant but its to late for their cash crops. I have been offered about 10 acres that surrounds a small pond to plant whatever I want for the price of the seed. They just want a cover crop. The pond has a drain in it that I can plug and partially flood the field. I don't need a tall crop to hide in because this field has several tall stands of brush and a few trees with some over grown areas where I can build a blind. I am in Skagit county and wonder if you guys have had any luck with Jap Millet, Milo, or barley this late in the year? Is there anything else you would recommend. Its so close to my house with some ducks using it anyways I want to get something in the ground this weekend. Let me know your thoughts.

[yelp]

Read this first.. Different rule apply for food plots targeting federal migratory species.


From:
 
http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/09-30-04%20Buhl%20Web%20text%20Waterfowl%20Baiting%20Brochure.pdf

[Shannon]

Theres nothing illegal about planting barley or millet as long as you don't manipulate it. Hell the state does it on a grand scale in multiple locations across the state.

[singleshot12]

I would think it be too late to plant a grain crop and have it go to seed in time for this fall.  Millet as i recall may go to seed earlier than most other grains. You may want to look into a wild rice that is parcial to flooded ground.

[h2ofowlr]

Go for the millet you mentioned as we are having a late summer..  If you get it planted this week given the forecast you will have rain to get it to take off.  Some of the fields you have are typically hit a little later in the season, so you may make it under the wire.  The seed shouldn't be to bad cost wise.  It may not be as hot without it going to seed, but if you don't pressure it to hard and flood it, you will shoot limits.     All the data is showing a good duck year as long as the potato crop doesn't go to crap in B.C. again and then the farms turn the fields and leave all the potatoes on the surface you should be fine.

[Shannon]

I am planting the millet this weekend. I will let you know how it goes.

[PatoLoco]

x2 for millet. Its going to go to seed still, and you don't need fully mature seed to attract ducks. Plus, it will be shorter than if you planted in May, and being in a low spot it will puddle up sooner. Sounds perfect! Oh, and you will have less lost to songbirds if it matures later.