do any of yall plant food plots? if so, what do you use and when? any tips for someone starting out?

i was thinking of planting an acre or 2 of lablab or biomaxx from biologic this spring, then come next fall disc the whole thing and replant with texas draw.

Might be good. We been on leased land where the owner plants winter wheat or oats and it does bring some deer out, but there are so many pastures planted, around where we hunt atleast, that I don't think it makes a difference. Smaller food plots planted with what you're talking about around your feeders would probably be good though. Just offer them something different than everyone else around you. We had good luck with turnips and the biologic.

ya see i know the land surrounding our place pretty well and nobody has food plots, just corn feeders so im hoping something like this would draw deer

We feed protein in the spring and only plant in the fall - mix of oats, wheat, rye, turnips, peas. And this year we actually got enough rain for the plots to look good! Last two years we planted but the plots didn't really come in - wasted $$$. Three years ago we had great food plots, but the deer stayed in the woods eating a great acorn crop.

Been doing this for 7 years, its a year to year gamble for us.

so you have protein feeders out yr around and plant plots for attraction and to hunt? where in tx is this?

Not what I said - protein spring (and into summer), then they are dry. Food plots in the fall. I think that is pretty typical.

If you need any help with location, plot selection, planting, and management, feel free to message me.

Lab labs is no fun to try to grow if your soil PH isn't right.

As far as a summer plots if you have pretty high deer densities you will need to try to find a way to keep the deer off it until it gets established

i guess the first step if soil test to see what all i can grow right?

has anybody had their soil tested by biologic? on the form you fill out you have to check when products your thinking about using so they can tell you what you need to add to your soil. idk if i can check more than one product or if i have to pay for extra tests

lonestar- do you have experience with food plots?

pk1616- do you do strips of those crops in a plot, several large monocrop plots or literally mix all that seed together and spread in however many plots? and where in tx are you doin this?

We are out close to Abilene. We have about 6 locations where we have planted between 2 and 5 acres with this seed as a mix. Size of plots depended on the location and our objectives. We don't just do this to attract deer but to add nutrition to their diet.

I would call the TPWD and find the biologist for your area. They can help you and will also refer you to the local agency that would be of the most help to you. Get their email address, this is the best way to contact most of them. This is what we did and it is very helpful. You won't wind up planting stuff that won't grow or crops that have less than ideal nutrition qualities.

Good luck!

That's really the name of the game with food plots in Texas, especially the further you get south and west. Depending on your location jackh I'd say that yes, it could definitely be a beneficial thing for your critters. Lots of different animals benefit from a good foodplot; turkeys, quail and other birds eat the insects the plot attracts, and herbivores like deer and exotics will enjoy having the broadleaf forage. One of the frustrating things about plots is that sometimes even if you get the rain the deer lean heavily on the baby plants for forage if there isnt much else around and will effectively 'nip in the bud' the growth of your plot. I'd do like Pk1616 suggests and weigh out the factors and see if it's worth it before you consider doing soil tests and buying seed/equipment.

Just my .02.

jackh-

Send me a PM. I'm in College Station as well and I have some good information for you. My ranch is near Maysfield (just west of Hearne) and I've planted several successful food plots. I'd be more than willing to share my contact info and good/bad experiences with you.

FYI, you can take a soil sample to A&M and they will do it. Costs $15 and was pretty quick turn around. I also have worked with our area biologist and can give you some insight into what he had to say about the area.

Hope to hear from you soon.

TURNER SEED COMPANY OUT OF BRECKENRIDGE HAS A GREAT FALL AND SPRING SEED MIX. I HAVE USED THEM BOTH AND THEY WORK GREAT. YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP ON THE WEB AT TURNERSEEDCOMPANY.COM

i talked to a guy on another forum that has a ranch in san saba, real close to goldthwaite. he says they do protein spring/summer and plant oats in fall to hunt on. i like this idea as it would be less year around hassle for me as i cant get out there every wknd. id like to try texas draw too though, as it has other stuff besides just oats. do yall think a 1 acre plot lined by an oak grove on one side and cedar on the other would be overgrazed too fast? the other 2 sides of the plot would face into a large open pasture but i know there are deer back in those woods.

ill email my areas biologist tonight and see what they have to say, thanks

hunting_drakes- im a student at A&M but i hunt up in mills county. how fast was the turn around with your soil sample when you took it to a&m? thats twice as expensive as sending it to biologic and biologic will tell you what you need to add to the soil to grow whatever products you check on their form...

just checked out turner seed- seems like pretty good deals on their mixes and a ton cheaper than biologic. i just dont know if everything in their mixes would grown in mills county...

fall deer mix:
WHEAT
OATS
RYE
BARLEY
ALFALFA
TURNIPS
AUSTRIAN WINTERPEAS
HAIRY VETCH
MADRID CLOVER
HUBAM CLOVER
YUCHI ARROWLEAF CLOVER
RAPE SEED

spring deer mix:
IRON & CLAY COWPEAS
RED RIPPER COWPEAS
SOYBEANS (LOREDO)
BLACK-EYED PEAS
BUCKWHEAT
RIO VERDE LAB LAB
CATJANG PEAS
PEANUTS,VALENCIA
OKRA (SPINELESS)
MUNGBEANS
CHICORY

Dont buy name brand mixes they are a rip off. Mix it yourself our at a feed store or seed store. One thing is if you dont plant enough food your pissin in the wind. The Biggest bucks are grown in ag. areas in general where deer have free access to crops. Food plots are great a 1/2 acre here and there are for looks if you have a thriving deer herd

talked to my dad and he has different plans for this pasture. our place is a working ranch, so hunting has to come second. were getting a no till drill and were gonna graze down this 20 acre pasture next to thick cover real hard, then drill with a mix of wheat, rye and oats in fall. graze lightly here and there to benefit livestock (and save on feed) and then a couple wks before hunting season shut the gates and only allow deer in. field is big enough to be hunted from several different spots depending on what the winds like and where the deer are entering/exiting the field etc. when weather warms up, what we drilled dies out and native grasses come back and ill have a protein feeder out. any flaw in this plan?

ttt