Choosing a Game Crop

[newbury]

I would be interested in your experience with various game crops. I noticed that Tractor Supply carries a number of clovers et al that require no cultivation -- just spread them around and they should grow.

I'm sure that's true on prepared soil but what if you have a light covering of weeds; or a heavy covering of wees? Will they dominate and spread?

And if you've found one that pushes out Japanese Stilt Grass you're my hero. That stuff is taking over the yard, fields, and forests. I've even considered giving Zoysia grass a try in the yard to see if it will out-compete it.

Thanks

Where?
Orbisonia PA or Ellicott City?

Difference in climate. But regardless first contact your local State Ag department and wildlife department. A wealth of resources you pay for anyways. Check out your soil surveys and get soil tests. Some states used to do it for free but they take time.

What's the purpose of the crops? Little bunnies hopping around or deer to put on the table?

And next what tools do you have at your disposal? I see a tractor listed but what about a rotary mower? tiller? etc.

There are very few things you can just hand spread and forget.

 

[teejk]

A friend of mine planted chicory (maybe 1/4 acre on a much larger plot) and he claims the deer and turkeys love it. I know they greatly increased their deer harvest last season...haven't heard how they did this year.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

2Lane - We out here have experience with wild turkeys. In all their ultimate wisdom - USFWS/WSGD - introduced wild turkeys out here about 15 to 18 years ago. You talk about non-native species taking over the world. Those dam things breed and have offspring that would be the envy of any mouse family.

Anyway - they are EVERYWHERE out here now. Be VERY CAREFUL what feed you might put out in your yard. The turkeys might like it. Neighbor down the road started feeding them - about 15 at first. It got up to a tad over 350 wild turkeys every day in her yard and she was going thru two 50 pound bags of feed every week.

It got to the point where she finally figured - it was pretty darned expensive feeding those things and she quit.

Those miserable birds continued to come into her yard and when they found no food - they rototilled her yard like could be done with the finest of 3-point tillers.

You think the hogs do a number in the fields of central Texas - - you should see what a band of wild turkeys can do to your yard.

They completely tilled all the lawns around her house - dug up and ate most all of any of the plantings in her yard. Then the topper - they decided that her porch was a good place to roost and crap. Imagine - 350+ turkeys roosting and crapping on your porch.

She had previously sold her property to Turnbull NWR - so last year she moved to an apartment in town and they tore down her house and outbuildings.

This particular turkey situation became a very serious highway hazard. Her house was setback only about 100 feet from the county road. Anytime you would drive down the county road - past her house - there was ALWAYS the concern of having a vehicle/turkey encounter.

This band of turkeys has since moved on - but they are still out there - looking for somebody else who is foolish enough to feed them.

I have and do take VERY aggressive steps to keep any wild turkeys out of my yard.

For whatever reason the coyote/eagle population in our area has not been able to keep up with the turkey expansion.

They are actively hunted but that also seems to have zero effects on their numbers.

You talk about good intentions turning into a serious mistake - - this is a world topper.

I'm hoping the predators will catch up soon. We are already beginning to spot some mountain lions in this area, along with coyotes and foxes. As long as the turkey population stays in control with a manageable number, I think we will be OK!

 

[oosik]

Funny story - three days ago I had a good friend and hunter come out and dump half a dozen totes of old apples WAY out West on my property. Idea being - attract the deer. Its of NO USE around here to plant any game crops. Within ten miles or so of my property there are thousands upon thousands of acres of alfalfa and wheat. Our mule and white tail are what you could call - "broad at the hips". I'm sure if you planted a field of wheat or alfalfa to attract - they would come to evaluate and if it was even a bit below their standards - there are plenty of other fields within a stones throw.

So yesterday - as he asked - I and Olly(chocolate Lab) rode out to check the apples. There were three coyotes cleaning up the VERY FEW remaining scraps of all the dumped apples. I was able to ID raccoon tracks in the damp ground also. I don't think the deer even got a sniff - as I told my friend.

He will have to plant apple trees out there or somehow find a dump truck load of apple if he expects the deer to get a sampling. He will definitely have to find something that is only liked by the deer. Too many coyotes, coons, skunks, porcupines and a heard of other scavengers who ALSO enjoy apples.

Somehow or other there is one coyote that "marks" my property that has been able to get apricots. His scat contains great quantities of apricot pits. If anybody wants photo proof - just let me know - I can provide ample photos of proof.

I'm kind of surprised that there was no evidence of the flocks of wild turkey at the apple piles. Perhaps the coyotes found the apples before the turkeys got a chance.

In any case - there be NO deer tracks anywhere around what is now empty ground where the apples once were.

 

[DrRod]

Where?
Orbisonia PA or Ellicott City?

Difference in climate. But regardless first contact your local State Ag department and wildlife department. A wealth of resources you pay for anyways. Check out your soil surveys and get soil tests. Some states used to do it for free but they take time.

What's the purpose of the crops? Little bunnies hopping around or deer to put on the table?

And next what tools do you have at your disposal? I see a tractor listed but what about a rotary mower? tiller? etc.

There are very few things you can just hand spread and forget.

Good questions.

Orbisonia.

I've found those agencies pretty disinterested in the past but probably worth another try.

The purpose is primarily ground cover. I want to find something that blocks the creep of Japanese Stilt Grass. But if it attracts deer and little bunnies I would be happy with that. But I'm less interested in feeding anything and more interested in easy sowing and covering.

I have a brush hog mower, a back blade, and a FEL. I can borrow a disc harrow. So that's why I'm interested in hand spreading on unprepared ground.

My son-in-law spread some kind of clover in a wooded patch and it took hold and thrived. Unfortunately, no one can remember what it was so here I am.

Thanks

 

[dnw64]

He now buys alfalfa round bales and feeds all winter with one of those. Provides a lot more entertainment for far less cost and hassle.

That is considered baiting and is illegal in Vermont.

 

[teejk]

That is considered baiting and is illegal in Vermont.

Baiting/feeding is illegal in Wisconsin if the county (or adjacent county) has had an incidence of chronic wasting disease in deer. The ban covers an increasing number of counties (deer tend to travel).

 

[TractorGuy]

 

[RNeumann]

That is considered baiting and is illegal in Vermont.

Most folks who feed wildlife year round don’t do it to wack the wildlife. Baiting game while hunting is a different subject than OP asked about.

 

[dnw64]

Most folks who feed wildlife year round don’t do it to wack the wildlife. Baiting game while hunting is a different subject than OP asked about.

The intent may be different but it is still illegal in Vermont.

2016 Vermont Statutes
Title 10 Appendix - Conservation and Development
Chapter 1 - Game
Subchapter 3: QUADRUPEDS
App 37 Deer Management Rule

9.0 Feeding of Deer

9.1 No person shall feed white-tailed deer at any time in Vermont except:

a. Under a license or permit issued pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4152 by the Department for bona fide scientific research, mitigation of wildlife damage or nuisance problems, or wildlife population reduction programs only; or

b. By planting, cultivating or harvesting of crops directly associated with bona fide agricultural practices, including planted wildlife food plots; or

c. By distribution of food material for livestock directly associated with bona fide agricultural practices; or

d. By cutting of trees or brush; or

e. By incidental feeding by an elevated bird/squirrel feeders (feeders must be at least five feet above the ground) providing seed, grain, fruit, worms, or suet for birds or squirrels, located within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.