Growing wildlife plots takes planning and preparation

Food plots are an excellent way to attract and retain deer and other wildlife in a desired area, but success doesn’t happen without planning and preparation.

That’s the approach Tyler Busker, MFA crop consultant, takes when establishing forages to enhance wildlife viewing and hunting on his own property near Fayette, Mo. Just like the advice he gives growers for produc- ing a cash crop, Busker says factors such as location, timing, fertility and planting method lay the groundwork for an effective food plot.

“If you’re going to take the time and expense to put in a food plot, you might as well do it right,” Busker said. “I think a lot of food plots fail because there’s not enough consideration for the management practices it takes to make them successful.”

Choosing a suitable spot is a good starting point, he said. Areas near wildlife habitats that provide protective cover are ideal for food plots. How- ever, he cautions not to choose a location just because it’s where the deer population is most abundant. “You need to be sure the soil profile will allow your food plot to grow and be productive,” Busker said.

When a location is selected, the next step is to take a soil test. Adjusting the soil pH and nutrient needs according to test results can make a world of difference in crop performance, Busker said. “Before you plant anything, figure out what you need fertility-wise,” he said. “That’s the MFA way, and it’s a good thing. You want to get an idea of what nutrients you’ll need, especially since a lot of food plots tend to be placed on less-productive ground.”

New seedlings can’t compete with established plants, so Busker recom- mends killing existing weeds and other vegetation with herbicide. For his plots, he then burns the dead vegetation and disks the plot to reduce resi- due and allow for good seed-to-soil contact.

“If you terminate the stand with herbicide and then drill your seed, that will also work,” Busker said. “We don’t have a drill, so we’ve always sprayed the plot, burned it and then worked the ground. I try to spray about three weeks ahead of when I want to burn it so that grass is absolutely crispy.”

Dragging, raking or cultipacking can help further smooth the seedbed for planting. Busker’s family simply uses a chain link panel pulled behind an ATV. 

Other establishment decisions, such as seeding rate and timing, will largely depend on the forage mix being planted. Busker typically uses a combination of purple-top turnips, Daikon radishes, clover and wheat. 

“I like the variety because it gives me a better chance of attracting the deer through a wider window,” he said. “The deer may like one thing more than the others, or maybe there will be something that they like earlier or later in the season.”

Soil test results and seed choice should guide fertilizer decisions, including key nutrients of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. While he does follow soil test recommendations, Busker said he also believes in pushing nitrogen fertilization in his plots, especially when planting turnips, which respond well to the nutrient. He prefers to use SuperU, a granular nitrogen fertilizer with a stabilizer to protect from losses.    

“We’ll put on P and K as the soil test calls for, but regardless, we always put on nitrogen. I like at least 50 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer per acre,” he said. “The turnips love it.”                 

As for timing, Busker said he’s found that early August to early September is the sweet spot for good plot establishment before killing frosts. However, the date isn’t as important as the weather forecast, he added.                       

“I always like to plant after Aug. 1 just ahead of the first really good rain chance we get,” he said. “I’m in central Missouri, so you might want to plant a little earlier or later, depending on your location, but try really hard to have it in before a rain. That moisture is key. We struggled with drought last fall, and our plots suffered because of it.”

The food plot size and equipment will dictate how the seed should be planted. For small tucked-away hunting plots, a hand-cranked spreader can work well. Larger plots may war- rant a vehicle-mounted spreader, planter or no-till drill. Busker uses a spinner broadcast spreader mounted to the back of a four-wheeler.                       

He also adds pelletized lime to the mix, not only to enrich the soil but also to help the tiny forage seeds to spread more easily and accurately.                   

“Because the seed is so small, it’s really hard to broadcast evenly over the course of an acre or two-acre plot,” he said. “I typically like to have a rate of 100 pounds per acre of pelletized lime in with my seed.”           

In any case, take the time to properly weigh the correct amount of seed for the space, according to the recommended rate for each species and mixture. If broadcasting, it’s OK to lean toward the heavy end of the rate, but in general, more is not better. Overcrowded seed will fail to establish and thrive. Aim for an even seed distribution pattern, and if broadcasting, crisscross both directions (north to south, and east to west).

After planting, cultipack, drag or roll the plots to press the seed firmly into the soil. Small seeds like clover and brassicas should be planted only 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch deep, and large seeds like cereals, peas and buckwheat should go 1⁄2 to 1 inch deep.