Ideas for food plots in NE TX

[robbyreneeward]

I posted this in the DIY section as well. I know to have soil checked and bring in lime, but I need ideas on what to plant in NE Texas. I was thinking of planting a small plot (1/2 acre) or so in soybeans, and maybe a lab lab mix in my medium sized field (1-1/2 acre) and the same in our large field (2 acre). These 3 fields will be hunted over. Any ideas guys? Thanks

RW

[bassmatt72]

If your wanting to supplement feed the deer you need to plant every square inch that you can. if your bow hunting and just want to attract deer then plant it smaller in a manner that you can shoot most if not all of it. Get a soil test done buy your local ag extension office to get the soil in the best condition before you plant, after that talk with the best feed store around your area or some local farmers. They should be able to tell you what and when to plant for your local area.

[Aggiebush]

You wanting a spring or fall plot?
We plant fall plots in late Sept. and plant a mixture of wheat, cereal rye, buck oats, hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas and several types of clover. The deer will flat hammer it as seen in the photos of one of our resource cages.

[JW]

Peas, beans, peas, beans!!!!

[robbyreneeward]

I'm wanting a fall plot, something to attract deer from neighboring properties. I only have 40 acres, and all around me in every direction is hunted, so I want every chance I can to keep deer on my property.

[unclefish]

I'm wanting a fall plot, something to attract deer from neighboring properties. I only have 40 acres, and all around me in every direction is hunted, so I want every chance I can to keep deer on my property.

Plant something to screen off your plots and make the deer feel secure like hay grazer (hybrid sudan-sorghum) or rep top hybrid sorghum. Put the plot in the middle of the 40 acres. Plan your entrance and exit to your stand around the prevailing winds.

Cereal Rye (not rye grass), Oats, Austrian Winter Peas, Clover in a mix would be outstanding for the fall.

Sometimes it takes 2-3 seasons for them to get used to feeding in a certain place. Don't give up if it doesn't work the first year.

[robbyreneeward]

Top

[robbyreneeward]

Top. I have planted in these spots over the last few years, I just didn't last year due to the drought. I was just wondering what everyone else was using out there that gave them some luck come October. Like I said I just want something to keep the deer on my property as much as possible during hunting season. Looking more for a hunting plot rather than a supplemental plot

[SavedHarvester]

x3, great use of exclusion cages. I am an extension agent for Jasper county. I have had guys come in and complain that what they planted just isn't growing, but that's not the case. Its that the deer are doing just what you said, they are putting the hammer to it. Always use an exclusion cage to monitor your plot's growth. Soil test is key for soil prep and amendments.

[SavedHarvester]

Great recommendations on grains and peas as well. Try to drill if you have access to the equipment but if your like me and do not, just increase your rate/acre. If you do broadcast try and role the plot. Germination rate will increase with a roller as you increase seed/soil contact.

[robbyreneeward]

x3, great use of exclusion cages. I am an extension agent for Jasper county. I have had guys come in and complain that what they planted just isn't growing, but that's not the case. Its that the deer are doing just what you said, they are putting the hammer to it. Always use an exclusion cage to monitor your plot's growth. Soil test is key for soil prep and amendments.

Never would've thought to do something like that. Looks to be very helpful. Now if I knew what I needed to plant ha ha

[SavedHarvester]

Any type of cow pea, buck oat, red and white clovers, chicory is a perennial so it will come back the next year, winter rye.

[robbyreneeward]

Any type of cow pea, buck oat, red and white clovers, chicory is a perennial so it will come back the next year, winter rye.

Thanks for the help. I was just looking on the Biologic website and saw Texas Draw: I'll post the blend mixture.

"The result — a fall forage blend of Austrian peas, Triticale, wheat, oats, clover and chicory — delivers maximum attractiveness under harsh, dry growing conditions, quickly developing into a lush green food plot that performs throughout the cool winter months. Texas Draw is the ideal blend for optimum deer herd health, maximum attractiveness and excellent deer visibility."

Just wondering if this would be a good choice. Says you need 300 lb of 13-13-13 per acre added when planting.

[Gladesgator]

For the cool season, I use a mix of wheat (40# per acre), oats (cold hardy 40# per acre), elbon rye (not rye grass, 30# per acre). I broadcast plant these seeds at the same time, as they are relatively large seeds that need the same soil coverage depth.
After, covering the above seeds, I broadcast a mixture of Crimson clover #10 per acre and Apache Arrowleaf clover #10 per acre. I fertilize just prior to planting with #300 per acre of 13-13-13, soil test will advise to lime and other elements that maybe needed.

I plant early Oct depending on soil moisture. The plot produces from the fall through June. The arrowleaf is about thigh high now in spite of heavy browse pressure.

For an early attractant just add Iron and Clay peas to the mix, if there are many deer in the area, the peas don't usually last for any length of time. Good luck with whatever you do.

[Brannon74]

For the cool season, I use a mix of wheat (40# per acre), oats (cold hardy 40# per acre), elbon rye (not rye grass, 30# per acre). I broadcast plant these seeds at the same time, as they are relatively large seeds that need the same soil coverage depth.
After, covering the above seeds, I broadcast a mixture of Crimson clover #10 per acre and Apache Arrowleaf clover #10 per acre. I fertilize just prior to planting with #300 per acre of 13-13-13, soil test will advise to lime and other elements that maybe needed.

I plant early Oct depending on soil moisture. The plot produces from the fall through June. The arrowleaf is about thigh high now in spite of heavy browse pressure.

For an early attractant just add Iron and Clay peas to the mix, if there are many deer in the area, the peas don't usually last for any length of time. Good luck with whatever you do.

This, i will also thow is a small amout of turnip seeds. turnips are very hardy and don't get hit hard until after a good freeze. 1/2 pond to acre.