Food Plot Shapes and Sizes

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Question
I have about 100 acres of hardwoods (mature white oaks) on the very southern end of my property. My property butts up to another large parcel of timber. There are lots of ironwoods and scattered honey locust trees and other junk trees throughout. If I were to take out all the trees but the white oaks there would be enough sunlight for rye, oats, peas, red clover, etc.

What shape and size is your favorite for food plots? I tend to make the plots too big (for bow hunting) and I was thinking of doing a 20-30 yard wide winding food plot that would probably be 1/4 mile or longer in length.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Cory

Cory,

Most clover varieties will grow if they receive at least 1/2 day sunlight or more. Crops grown in partial shade are usually not as productive as if they were grown in full sunlight. During droughts, or crops planted on dry sites, partial shade during the afternoon hours (time of day when most soil moisture evaporation occurs) can be beneficial. When designing plots in areas with shade use a north-south orientation on sites that tend to be dry. This orientation will provide the most shade and limit the amount of soil moisture that evaporates. On sites that tend to hold to much soil moisture, an east west orientation is better as this will allow more soil moisture to be evaporated from the plot.

Another consideration is the amount of leaves that will fall on the forage when planted among trees. Leaves can shade out the forage if not removed from the plot.

At your site, if the non-oak trees are harvested be sure you address the soil compaction that results from the timber harvesting. Soil compaction is a huge limiting factor to forage growth!

Growing Deer together,

Grant