From forest to food plot, suggestions?

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Jerry,
Great picture, even got the velvet falling off. What kind of trail camera is that, it is nice that it tells you moon, temp, all that stuff.

I still hold that this is a tractor project link, just need to get some growth from the planting so I can post those pics, hehe. Wouldn't want the thread to be labeled as "mis-classified".

I have yet to get out hunting, too busy this week, hope to get out a couple times next week. And then shortly to post a picture of my successful hunt.

The camera is a Moultrie Game Spy 200.

 

[Tororider]

I haven't been back there yet, but my dad says we have some growth, only about a half an inch, but growth. The deer are definitely traveling back there, so once we get the food grown in a bit, they should have a reason to stick around. I hope to have some pictures this week.

 

[Tororider]

Still haven't gotten back to take a look at the growth, but last night towards the front there were two does and a smallish buck(I think, it was getting pretty dark) that walked right by where one of my tree stands is set up. I really really need to sight in my bow and get out in a tree.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Aw com'on. My 10 year old daughter can shoot a deer over bait.

 

[Tororider]

Thats kind of the idea with creating the food plots. I have no problem using bait though, as long as is allowed by the rules of the state. If you can get way without it by creating food plots like this, thats great, but there isn't any harm in using bait if you are going to eat the animal you harvest. Consider it an investment in your food.

 

[sandman2234]

If your going to hunt over food plots, you need to change what you call it. Instead of hunting, it is more like harvesting. Illegal to hunt over a food plot here, or within a certain distance of it, unless they have changed it recently.
David from jax

 

[Tororider]

Again, that is why I am doing what I am doing with the food plots. I prefer not to hunt over bait. The regulations here are "The volume of bait scattered on the ground cannot exceed two (2) gallons at any one hunting site at
any time...The bait must be dispersed over a minimum of a
10-foot by 10-foot area. The bait can be scattered
directly on the ground by any means, including
mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the
spin-cast feeder does not distribute on the ground
more than the maximum volume allowed"

"Food plots are naturally occurring foods, standing agricultural crops, or foods that are placed as
a result of using normal farming practices, and are not considered baiting or feeding"

Our deer herd in southern michigan is pretty large and the DNR has been trying to make sure it doesn't get overpopulated.

With regards to calling it harvesting, I think that is going a little too far. You still have to be in the tree/ground blind, you have to be quiet, and you have to make a good shot. I am not trying to argue that it doesn't make it significantly easier, but I think it is silly to call someone out for doing something that the DNR says is allowable.

Just my two cents.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I'm just talking about hunting over a pile of apples. Planting crops helps all the game. Food plots keep growing, apples are gone after eaten. Doesn't help anybody but the hunter.
Hey, to each his own, just my humble opinion. Anybody can catch fish in a fish bowl.

 

[sandman2234]

Hopefully you are not taking offense at me calling it harvesting, versus hunting. It beats calling it a few other names that anti hunting people tend to call it. I am not an avid hunter, simply because of the time constraints, but am a hunter when time and the season come together, so don't take it wrong when I call it that. I have planted or helped plant several food plots, and am thinking about planting one for this winter as to keep the deer in good condition and I don't know if I will be able to purchase enough corn for them as I have in the past. I probably picked up the word "harvest" from you, as you used it in your post previously. I also see that you prefer to not hunt over baited fields, as per your statement, so we are on the same page. People that hang a feeder from the tree that they use to hunt from are pushing it a little in my opinion. Right or wrong, in the eyes of the law, I don't agree completely with it. Kind of like giving a kid some candy and then, well you get my meaning. Hunting the trails that they use to get to the food plot, and keeping yourself separated from the food plot is a little more like hunting, as both the hunter and hunted have their senses on full alert but the food plot merely adds in the chance that the hunter will be able to harvest the deer while he is moving thru the woods on his way. Gives the hunter a destination for the deer, and keeps the deer from being a sitting duck.
Food plots can be a lot of work, or you can do them like one of the neighbors in Ga does them, which is just disc the land and drop seed in it, then disc it again. He just runs the disc in areas that he can drive and if it grows fine, if not, oh well. He sets up his stands in relation to where the food grows and the deer are eating it.
David from jax

 

[Tororider]

No offense taken. Just wanted to provide another point. It sounds like we are lockstep in our opinion on this. I just think we have messed with the deer population so much by destroying all their predators so they are way overpopulated, so I understand why the dnr allows, even encourages baiting for hunters. Plus they are just trying to get as many people to buy licenses so they can make a buck, pun intended. But definitely no offense, when/if we get our swamp excavated into a pond and plant some fish, I will call it catching, not fishing, hehe.

 

[john_bud]

So, Sandman, what do you call it when you set up next to the sole white oak tree on a wooded 40 acre as it starts to drop acorns? Or set up next to a bean field ? Or an alfalfa field?

I don't see any difference except the proper food plot will provide higher % protein and will have food available in as many seasons as possible. Around here that's spring, summer and fall. Not too much is green under the snow at -30F. Although, some brassicas, rape and canola will stay green up to December.

jb

(By the way - no offense taken either!)

 

[sandman2234]

I guess I would call it lucky...

Lucky in the fact that my hunting partner didn't get that spot first.
David from jax

 

[john_bud]

Exactly!

But around here, the white oak acorns fall before bow season opens, and are GONE quick. Then the red and black oaks drop and they are around for a while but not a favorite.

To help the luck, planting nutritious foods helps. Then again, It's 5 weeks into the season and my meat locker is still empty

 

[TC29-dude]

Great topic gents, I have hunted in the same area on 20,000 acres for the last 15 years. It's down near Fort Lost in the Woods MO in the Mark Twain national forest and it's a big woods area. I have several nice racks on the wall but it took year of scouting etc. to find the honey hole I have been at for the last 5 years or so. I worked hard to get those deer! This will be the 1st year that I won't be there...(anyone want to buy my GPS location for the spot? )

I now own 44 acres and will be hunting there this year. I have food plots out, deer cams taking pix of all, stands/blinds in good spots etc. I know I am going to get a deer...but somehow the I am not as geeked up to go and I don't know why.

To your point, I think food plots are fine but lessen the "man points" garnered by hunting down that big buck as opposed to luring him in. The bonus is the comfort level...no more climbing tree stands for me!

 

[Tororider]

John Bud, five weeks already, I didn't realize that WI season started so early. Bow season opens the first of October every year here. Unfortunately I have only been out in a tree once so far this year, and it wasn't over the food plot or bait, in case you were wondering. I just have too much to do to get ready for this party.

With regards to man points, if you want ultimate man points I heard about this family out west. They were all amazing cross country runners and amazing trackers. They would actually run the deer down. Apparently deer don't do well over long distances being pushed. They could pretty much take the deer with their hands after they ran it down. Now if you can do that, you don't need to worry about adding man points.

 

[john_bud]

Man points!~

How many of those are traded in for a thick slab of deer sausage while watching the Packers beat the 'skins?

In the past 10 years, I have probably only taken a couple of bucks. The rest have been does. Probably 25 in that time. It's sad to let a 2 1/2 year old 8 pt pass only to hear a BANG! over the next hill. But, you gotta let them grow old to grow big.

jb

 

[Tororider]

That is the hard thing about being a good steward of the natural resources you have. If you don't have cooperation of your neighbors all the quality deer management in the world won't help. I am glad that you stick with it. That is one of the reasons I am doing planting this food plot, and have a couple others planned for next year, so that they stick on my property, not likely with all the farm fields around there, but every little bit helps I guess.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here's a few pics of a small buck that's been hanging around my feeder just about every night. He has what we think is his brother with him, but that's just a guess from the look of their racks.

Neither Steph, nor I have any interest in shooting them. Maybe in a few years they will read John Bud standards!!!! We know there are a few older bucks around, we just have to wait for our oportunity.

Next year, I hope to have a good food plot out. I've been clearing out an area for it and I'm almost ready. Just a few more months, and it will be where I want it.

Eddie

 

[Tororider]

Eddie,
Nice Texas deer, I agree, he will be a big boy in a couple years, wallhanger maybe.

You are lucky with the weather down there that you can work on the food plot year round if desired. Up here, when the white stuff flies it makes it a lot harder. I think we will take to cutting down some of our standing dead trees and making some more wood chips. I love Texas weather, the dry heat sure beats the 95% humidity with our 95 degree weather. How much property do you have down there?

 

[john_bud]

Maybe in a few years they will read John Bud standards!!!!

Eddie

You mean like this one?

Eddie, if you are up in the area --> bring a bow

jb