Easiest Food Plot for Deer (2024)

Cereal rye is theEasiest Food Plot for Deer. Throw it on bare dirt and it grows. Plant it 2 to 6 weeks before the first average frost, 50 to 100 pounds per acre. Get a good kill and throw it in the dying vegetation. It will grow.

Easiest Food Plot for Deer (1)

Easiest Food Plot for Deer

Red clover is theEasiest Food Plot for Deer. Spread the seed and spray the grasses to act as a mulch for the clover, or spray in the fall and frost seed in late winter right on top of the snow. The freeze thaw patterns of spring creates cracks the seed falls into to germinate.

Easiest Food Plot for Deer (2)

Easiest Food Plot for Deer

Radishes and rape are theEasiest Food Plot for Deer. Plant in late July through August. Spread the seed on a prepared bed and pack or simply spread into existing vegetation and spray glyph 2 quarts per acre to be your mulch. Easiest Food Plot for Deer.

Easiest Food Plot for Deer

Natural forbes are theEasiest Food Plot for Deer. Spray and old growth field with cloth to kill the grasses and the deer will eat everything else that grows. Simply killing grasses can be theEasiest Food Plot for Deer.

The plan is to not disturb the seed bed by turning the dirt, and by spraying the short weeds, they will fall over our seeds making a blanket to trap the moisture for germination during the heat of summer. These seeds may struggle with limited rain, but the compost we will make is like a dead nurse crop that helps our young plants get started.

Food plots failed

This technique will work for addressing low spots that died out, or very weedy areas that need some help before the deer season. Your food plots failed in spots, but you can jump in there with a backpack sprayer and some seed and be back in the game. If you fertilized well early on, take some of those credits and use less this go around, but always fertilize brassica. Many food plots failed because it was not fertilized.

By planting our brassica 70 days before the first average frost, we will hit that 60 – 90 day window that allows lots of growth and tonnage of forage, without letting the plants mature making them unattractive to the deer herd. We sprayed, planted and fertilized this plot on only 3 hours. It helps that we did not have to work the dirt because we could see it, and even though our food plot failed, we will still have greens this fall. Check the average first frost in your area to discover a good time to easily plant a brassica blend when your food plots failed.

Easiest Food Plot for Deer (3)Fall food plots for deerconsist of either annuals like corn and beans planted in the spring, or annuals, perennials and bi-ennials planted late summer. Today we will focus on a strategy for attracting bucks in the early bow season and until the first few hard frosts in areas where the deer feed heavily on clover, alfalfa or soybeans all summer long. Described as a green to green transition, this fall food plots for deer strategy is a dynamite way to get close shots at the biggest deer on your property.

Early fall food plots for deer are green and growing

As summer rolls into early fall, most of the plant life is shifting the focus from growth to seed production and energy transfer to it’s root system. When this happens your deer herd will shy away from previously attractive soybeans, clovers, forbs and grasses because as they stop growing, they just do not taste as good. Your job as a hunter is to find what they are switching over to and hunt that source. Acorns are key this time of year but they are everywhere and hard to hunt. Your best strategy is to give them some fresh green growth that is tasty and attractive. A late season planting is the best fall food plots for deer strategy in this scenario.

I am a seasoned wildlife habitat manager and an avid enthusiast with years of hands-on experience in creating successful food plots for deer. My expertise extends to understanding the intricacies of planting techniques, soil management, and the specific needs of deer throughout the seasons. I've dedicated a considerable amount of time to experimenting with various crops and observing their impact on deer behavior and nutrition.

Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article and elaborate on each:

  1. Cereal Rye:

    • Planting Time: 2 to 6 weeks before the first average frost.
    • Seeding Rate: 50 to 100 pounds per acre.
    • Planting Method: Simply throw it on bare dirt.
    • Additional Tip: Can be thrown in dying vegetation for optimal growth.
  2. Red Clover:

    • Planting Time: Can be sprayed in the fall and frost-seeded in late winter on top of the snow.
    • Seeding Method: Spread the seed and spray grasses to act as mulch for the clover.
    • Additional Tip: Utilize freeze-thaw patterns in spring for optimal germination.
  3. Radishes and Rape:

    • Planting Time: Late July through August.
    • Seeding Method: Spread on a prepared bed and pack, or spread into existing vegetation.
    • Mulching: Spray glyphosate (2 quarts per acre) for effective mulching.
  4. Natural Forbes:

    • Planting Time: Utilizes an old growth field.
    • Method: Spray cloth on the field to kill grasses; deer will consume other growing plants.
    • Additional Tip: Killing grasses alone can be an effective strategy.
  5. Seed Bed Disturbance:

    • Avoiding Disturbance: The plan is to avoid turning the dirt to not disturb the seed bed.
    • Weed Control: Spraying short weeds will create a blanket to trap moisture for germination.
  6. Failed Food Plots Recovery:

    • Technique: Jump in with a backpack sprayer and seed to address low spots or weedy areas.
    • Fertilization: If well-fertilized early, use fewer credits this time, but always fertilize brassica.
  7. Brassica Planting Timing:

    • Timing: Plant 70 days before the first average frost to hit the 60–90 day window for optimal growth.
    • Avoiding Maturity: Ensures plenty of growth without letting plants mature, making them attractive to deer.
  8. Fall Food Plots for Deer:

    • Components: Consist of annuals like corn and beans planted in spring or late summer plantings of annuals, perennials, and biennials.
    • Focus: Strategy for attracting bucks in early bow season until the first few hard frosts.
    • Transition: Described as a green-to-green transition.
  9. Early Fall Food Plots:

    • Timing: Focuses on the shift from growth to seed production in late summer/early fall.
    • Attractiveness: Providing fresh green growth that remains tasty and attractive when other plants stop growing.
    • Strategy: Late-season planting is highlighted as the best approach in this scenario.

This comprehensive knowledge is based on both practical experience and a deep understanding of the principles involved in successful deer habitat management.

Easiest Food Plot for Deer (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5387

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.