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Hunters are always looking for ways to bring the deer in closer. A food plot can be one of the best tools for accomplishing this legally and ethically. It takes some planning, research, and getting your hands dirty but when done correctly, planting a food plot can be extremely rewarding.

Location, Location, Location

One of the most important factors in a successful deer plot is the location. An ideal spot would be fairly close to a known bedding area. This would result in deer visiting your plot first in the evening before heading to larger crop fields and later in the morning before bedding again.

You also need to be sure the area receives a fair amount of sunlight so you’ll get good growth from whatever you plant. Avoid areas that have large trees that will shade your crop and stunt growth potential.

Check the soil in your chosen area to see if it is good for growing. Your local extension service, co-op, or other county agencies should be able to provide you with a PH test kit so you’ll know what you need to add to the soil for the proper nutrients.

What’s On the Menu?

Deciding what to plant will depend highly on your geographic area and soil conditions. This is where a little research will help. Personally, I like to plant things that will draw the deer in close during the hunting season. Clover type plots are good in the spring and definitely give the deer nutrition, but normally become dormant closer to hunting season.

I like soybeans, turnips, radishes, and rapeseed, and other brassicas. The deer will eat on the green leafy parts of the plant in early fall and once the frost hits, will begin digging up and eating the bulb portion of the plant. This keeps deer in the area all through the hunting season. This is the same with soybeans, the leafy forage will be consumed and then later in the year they will eat on the dried beans late into winter.

Size and Shape

The size of your food plot is critical to its success. If you have a high deer population, a 1/2 an acre plot can be wiped out in no time. On the other hand, if you have other plots or large crop fields in the area, a smaller plot may hold up and would be ideal to lure a deer in for a close shot. Ask around and see what other hunters in your area have had success with as far as food plot size.

The shape of your food plot will have a lot to do with the dynamics of actually shooting a deer. If you are using a bow, then the food plot shape is even more critical. I prefer longer more narrow food plots say 30-40 yards wide so I can easily get a shot with a bow all the way across the plot.

You should also factor into the size and shape of your plot your tree stand or ground blind placement. You need to be on the prevailing downwind side of the plot. Also be sure you have an easy entering and exiting path that will not disturb the deer.

You Reap What You Sow

Food plotting is more than just tilling up an area near your stand and throwing some seed on the ground. I recommend getting an aerial map of your hunting property and taking all the outlined factors into account when detailing your food plot strategy. My personal experience of food plotting is that it is extremely rewarding to see deer feeding in a plot that you mapped out, planned, and planted with your own bare hands. At times, food plotting is a sport in its own right, let alone a great tool to increase your deer hunting success.

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Source by Barry Maddox