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Timber hidey hole plot?

Deer Nut

Deer Nut

PMA Member
I have a spot back in the timber that is halfway between bedding areas and crop fields. This area is a major intersection of trails and basically a staging area. It's impossible to get equipment to it but I would like to plant something there. It would be a throw and grow type situation with maybe some hand raking also. What are my best options as far as what would grow more successfully? The ground is creek bottom and fairly bare. A few giant white oaks over the spot. Roughly 1/3 acre maybe slightly bigger. 100 yards from very thick bedding.
 
Are you looking for something other than the obvious plot of clover?

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I have only planted a few plots and have little experience with different seeds. I know there are different clover varieties and I have planted white clover in the past with equipment. Would clover be the best option for success? Is there a specific one that is better than the other or should it be a mix? Should I mix rye in there to keep weeds down or will it cloud out the clover? And since we have no snow cover should I consider frost seeding now and seeding again in the spring?
 
Why would you put a food plot there? Just going to make it harder getting in and out with out getting busted. Now the deer just move through the area. With food there they will hang around.
 
Alice, kopu II and Durana are good choices I usually do mixes. It will be a lot of work by hand but can be done. You will need to get good soil contact so get rid of the trash and it will need a fairly open canopy to get sunlight to it. I would establish with oats and rye. Read the clover thread in doubletrees corner tons of good info. Are you able to mow it? When are you planning to establish it?
 
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Non-typ. said:
Why would you put a food plot there? Just going to make it harder getting in and out with out getting busted. Now the deer just move through the area. With food there they will hang around.
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I kind of agree with this. If the deer already go there for staging and the white oak acorns, then you may be making it tougher on yourself by giving the deer a reason to hang out there longer.

But for the original question, I give another vote for a white clover variety. The plot will need to withstand heavy grazing in the area you described. Although annuals would be easier to establish, they would get eaten up way too early.
 
KnuckleDragr said:
I kind of agree with this. If the deer already go there for staging and the white oak acorns, then you may be making it tougher on yourself by giving the deer a reason to hang out there longer.

But for the original question, I give another vote for a white clover variety. The plot will need to withstand heavy grazing in the area you described. Although annuals would be easier to establish, they would get eaten up way too early.
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I just wanted to make it more attractive to them with a selection of browse. I appreciate all the input guys!
 
I put in a plot down very close to a bedding area about 500-600 yards off the main field. We experienced outstanding movement all season long on this plot. It was a stand you needed to be in at least 3 hours before dark not matter what point in the season. It was hunted about 8-12 times and only required bumping deer out of it once at dark. Typically they all filtered off about 10-20 minutes before last light. Every buck on the property was seen in this plot during daylight while hunting. The most productive time to hunt this was Oct 10th-25th, which is completely unheard of. We planted evolved harvest shot plot. Now this plot was not in the woods but in a bowl area.
 
I don't mind the hidden little plots. I don't worry about busting deer on way out. I naturally worry about my entrance but that's any stand and plan them carefully. My only concern with interior plots is getting the best wind advantage so deer that pass by on way there our out are not getting downwind and there's a lot you can do to favor yourself there. Little plots are great because, generally, in my experience, deer will graze there for say, 20 mins and continue on. It's a place where bucks come to check but it's not like a field filled with 25 deer til dark.... They filter through and I wait til it's long cleared by the time I leave. Usually stays pretty fresh and don't spook much. I like em if done right (entrance, exit, wind, forcing them to move past you upwind with stand positioning/natural landscape/obstacles, etc.). Good luck.
*Oh, and like stated, small interior plots.... Clover and fertilize & lime the piss outta it if you don't do soil test.
 
Deer Nut - I live just outside Iowa City on the west side and depending on timing, convenience, etc, I get my seed from the following places:

1. Welter Seed - go on line and review their catalog and then order it over the phone and you will often have it on your doorstep the next day! Their service and selection are second to none. 563-485-2762.

2. Big Country Seed - outside of Tiffin - they will not have the same in depth selection as Welter, but I have been treated well there several different times. Dan Steines - 319-545-4500.

3. Iowa-Missouri Hybrids - Keosauqua - I have bought here several times too and always had good results. Aaron Palm - 319-293-3114.

FWIW, Paul(Dbltree) used Welters and Iowa-Missouri quite a bit for his seed suppliers.
 
Welter Seed & Honey is one source. Usually ship SpeeDee so economical.

I agree with Sligh on interior plots. I have one favorite one. Does love it and the bucks know it so it gets decent traffic with cruising bucks come November. It's located at a crossroads of lots of trails and deer can, and do, come from any direction. There really isn't a great wind for it but seeing something with almost any wind is possible. Good thing is, it's near a county park with lots of folks walking around so most deer aren't completely blown away with human scent. If I blow deer out getting in, they are still likely to come back tomorrow.
 
My hunting area isn't too far from Keo. I'm in that town quite often. Is it the one behind the ice cream shop?
 
Deer Nut said:
My hunting area isn't too far from Keo. I'm in that town quite often. Is it the one behind the ice cream shop?
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I would say it is about 2-3 blocks north from the ice cream shop. It is right in town in an older building. 209 Dodge Street.
 
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