Food plots for deer elk,grouse, and turkey HELP!!

[mscheer772]

I have property in Northwestern Wisconsin and would like to attract the above wildlife. Last year I planted oats and overseeded with cloveron three food plots. The oats came up pretty good and the clover came up ok.We harvested(killed)three deer of the This year I had the big boulders removed from 3 new food plots and expanded the existing plots. I sprayed on the areas with Killz-all and have taken soil samples. My questions are many.
1. should I disc the areas that were sprayed and spray a second time?,a third time?
2.What should I plant for turkeys?
3.How soon after spraying sholud I disk?
4.Once I plant how should I maintain the plots?
5. What can I plant to attract partridge?
6. How often should I use lime?
7. How often should I test the soil?
Any and all advice is needed and encouraged.

This TBN is awesome!!!!

Thanks,

-Mike-

 

[mscheer772]

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[ToadHill]

As a Master gardener and Master Forest Owner I can address some of your issues.
1. The more you disk the more weed seeds you will turn up. Some weeds drop seeds that can stay dorment for 10 or more years. I might disk twice and spray twice then wait 2 weeks and plant.
2. Turkey love buckwheat.
3. I'd disk, spray and two weeks later plant, plant with as little soil disruption as possible.
4. Depends on the crop.
5. Partridge need new growth woods for cover, they are not attracted to food plots generally, as long as food is available in their preferred cover.
6. It depends on the pH of your soil and the crop you plant. pH controls the success plants have at taking up different elements and trace elements. Some crops like acid soil and some like "sweet" soil. Find out what the pH level is and adjust it to what your crop likes.
7. Test it before you plant the plot. Soil seldom changes its pH unless altered by adding Lime(to sweeten) or sulpher it acidify. Then I'd test it every couple years if you did something to change the pH.

 

[EddieWalker]

Unless you absolutely have to have or need a certain type of plant, I wouldn't adjust the soil, but instead, find plants that will grow in your existing soil. The reason I say this is that it's expensive to change the soil, it never lasts very long and in the end, the soil will do what it wants anyway.

The animals eat a very large variety of plants and picking just one is limiting your success. Every State has an Ag Extension that's part of the University system in your area. They probably have a website that lists plants that do well there, but more importantly, you can find out where the closest office is and go visit with them. They will give you all the information you need specific to your area, your soil, your climate and your wildlife for free. Next, and just important, contact your state wildlife bioligist. They are all over the state and part of your Fish and Game Department. They also have experts who know what will grow in your conditions that will most help out the animals.

If you have enough land, or they are working on some goals that they have to meet, you might get lucky and enrol in one of there programs. Every State is different, but I've seen some programs that reduce your property taxes, set your own hunting seasons, pay you a monthly check and supply you with the seed for free. It's always hit or miss if you can get into any of these programs, but if you do, they will set out what you have to do over so many years and will follow up to be sure you do these things. When you have done everything they tell you to do, you will receive the benifits they offer.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[npaden]

You might try asking this on the QDMA website. They have a specific forum for food plots.

Food Plots for Whitetails - QDMA Forums

There is a thread right now on pretty much the same exact topic.

Wisconsin Turkey & Deer Plot Question - QDMA Forums

Good Luck.

 

[mscheer772]

Thanks for you guy's help.
TBN comes through again.

-Mike-

 

[john_bud]

Mike,

You have many good nuggets of advice so far. I have 240 acres around the exeland WI area with food plots and I know about the rocky condition!

You probably will have to spray to control weeds the first year. In clover plots, if you have grasses in the plots (I do!!), use Poast Plus. If you have broad leaf weeds 2,4 - DB (must have the "B" ! Super IMPORTANT). You can mix the two together. You should also cut the clover in early June, Mid July, late August. That will stimulate the growth and suppress annual weeds. If you have heavy clay, I like a mix of 1/2 Alsike, 1/4 medium red and 1/4 white dutch (or sweet blossom). Then lightly over seed with chicory.

The poster on buckwheat was spot on. Deer LOVE it and turkeys do too. Plant it in strips mixed with brassica's and canola in August. It will die with the first touch of frost, but the brassica's and canola will do fine. This is an annual plot and will need re-seeding every spring. Adding cow peas in the mix is nice too.


Small grains are a good thing to put in with the clovers. Oats, rye, millet, wheat.

You will probably have to lime every year for a while. Do it after the first or second trimming of the clover.

jb

 

[woodlot]

As a Master gardener and Master Forest Owner I can address some of your issues. Some crops like acid soil.

Really? What?

 

[mscheer772]

Woodlot,
Where in No.Western WI are you?
We have a place 23 miles east of Hayward.
What do you plot in your food plots?

-Mike-

 

[woodlot]

Hey Mike, sent you a PM.

Still wondering about crops for acidic soil too. Anyone? I've got plenty of acidic, sandy soil! About the only "crop" I've found is red pine, but that takes about 20 years to harvest and the wildlife don't like it all that much, unless your a red squirrell.