Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: cboom on July 27, 2013, 08:05:17 PM
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plant apple trees? :dunno:
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For this year, you can prune bushes that are too high for them to reach. The plants will sprout new, tender growth before fall; but not grow like crazy. And leave branches on the ground for them from trees you limb, especially the leafy, deciduous trees. They'll come eat the leaves and smaller branches/buds.
For next year, I think clover is good for the summer early fall. You can mix in turnips and winter rye so that it will be ready for late October or mid November.
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Ive got pure clover in a few small spots and some silage peas I got from the farm store. Of course my unprotected garden went faster than the food plots. So I guess ill just plant a huge garden for the deer next year.
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I tried some Evolved throw and grow this year before I really did any research. The majority of the stuff is made up of rye grass which I've read the deer don't really touch. But it grows like crazy and looks good. I added some white Dutch clover and they have picked through that well.
I found this stuff? Which is kinda spendy but looks like it might do well: http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/tecomate_seed_western_big_game_combo (http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/tecomate_seed_western_big_game_combo)
I might just go with a chicory/clover blend.
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For this year, you can prune bushes that are too high for them to reach. The plants will sprout new, tender growth before fall; but not grow like crazy. And leave branches on the ground for them from trees you limb, especially the leafy, deciduous trees. They'll come eat the leaves and smaller branches/buds.
For next year, I think clover is good for the summer early fall. You can mix in turnips and winter rye so that it will be ready for late October or mid November.
This. Alder branches are the absolute best blacktail bait. Maybe plant alders and keep them topped to about 3' tall making alder bushes?
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Here's my little mini plot and some visitors.
The bare area to the right is all grown up now too.
It's pretty fun and addictive. Haha lots of work too.
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Looks like a good spot! I'd get some roundup on there and kill all of that off. I just sprayed a decent sized spot at the end of an old road. Hope to have it all cleaned/raked out down to dirt in a couple weeks to plant a fall plot.
It's a lot of hard work. Really addicting too. Hopefully it provides some food and can end in a successful hunt!
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I have duel orchards at my moms with apples,plums, blackberries,raspberries and figs. I cleared out a bunch of blackberries in her back orchard with my buddies excavator and have a massive garden. The neighbors next to me clearcut about 5 acres. I now have 5 bucks hanging around. 3 2x2's a 3 point and a 4 point with 2 does. My buddy swares by the barnyard buffet, so I bought an 80 pound bag and the deer don't touch it. They really love the garden , apple leaves and new forest growth.
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Blacktails love blackberries. I planted soy beans, dent corn and sweet corn in a plot a few years ago and the deer pretty much nibbled at it as they were headed to my oaks and apple trees for acorns and apples. The other night they totally wiped out my beautiful strawberry patch. :bash:
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Deer don't graze they brouse. Plant a varity of different clover, a little alfalfa and a salt block. Hem it in with willows and blackberrys and alder..........Then keep the poachers out.
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Brassicas (canola, turnips etc.) planted now if you have enough moisture to sprout them, attract whitetail and elk from miles come January. I bet your deer would do the same. For spring planting, all of the clovers, peas, sunflowers, beardless barley are great choices. Even a short day field corn if you have warm moist soil is used for food and cover. I have had several acres with all of the ears gone by September 15. Mowed or trimmed preferred brush species might be your long term best choice. It takes lots of money and perfect timing to maintain annual plots.
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As mentioned, stick some apple trees (well fenced) in the more open areas. These aren't just "bait". The other tree that the deer out here love are cherry plums, they love them.
As you may have noticed, if you clear a spot here on the west side, the weeds, especially nettles, will blow up. I've also been trying to figure out what to plant as I have an area that could be cleared of the salmon berries. I've thought the brassicas might do well. The bucks, and does, really hang out in my neighbor's yard that has lots of clover in the grass. The turkeys like it as well.
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I wish the tree was still on this old stump, it would pay for the whole project and then some I bet!
Sorry Goob. Scout and I cut that one down last Fall and got a pile of firewood out of it. The growth rings on it were real tight which made for some dang nice and long burning firewood
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I've always thought a plot for Blacktails would be fun to try, But I've read so many blacktail articles written by pros that say stuff like " unlike whitetails, Blacktails have so much food already, that food plots would be a waste of time" That being said, I wonder if any of those guys ever attempted a food plot (doubtful) AWESOME bucks btw.
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Apples for sure. My buddies farm has 2 small orchards, probably 12 trees each, that we hunt. 1 right by his house and one on the edge of a 60 acre wooded area with lots of good cover and water. We've killed 5 bucks in 3 years on that orchard. They come in thick while the apples are falling. One thing we have noticed is they don't pattern at all. Other than the bigger bucks are only on camera at night or right at dusk. The does and small bucks are in there at all hours, even if we are out having a BBQ they'll walk right in and start eatin.
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maybe a few rows of corn?
