How to Make Deer Food Plots

Create a food plot with crops deer enjoy eating.

Planting deer food plots can be fun for both hunters and nature lovers. If planted properly and with the right crops, you will have quite a few deer feasting in the food plot. You should ensure you have enough room to start a food plot before you begin, and also make sure the crops you choose to use are different from other crops growing in the area, so the deer are more likely to come to the food plot and not to a surrounding corn or soybean field.

Things You'll Need

• A Plot with Rich Soil
• Seed or Starter Plants
• Water
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Sample and test the soil where you are planning to start the deer food plot. You need to ensure there are enough of the proper nutrients in the soil to grow the types of crops you intend on planting. Take random soil samples throughout the area you intend to use for the food plot.

2. Size the food plot. While there is no set size for a deer food plot, it should be large enough to feed and attract quite a few deer. Generally, a food plot should be at least 1,000 square feet. The closer you build the food plot to a brushy, covered area, the more likely deer will be to frequent the plot, since they have a covered area in which to seek shelter.

3. Decide what types of crops to plant. Most crops should be planted between early April and mid-May. The amount of seed you need depends on the size of the food plot and the type of crop you are planting. Specific directions for planting should be on the bag of seed you choose. Don't over-seed the food plot. This could hamper the growing of the crop. Generally, deer enjoy eating corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, sunflowers, clovers, buckwheat and rye.

4. Make sure the type of crop you decide to grow is not growing in any fields nearby. By giving the deer something out of the ordinary, they are more likely to frequent your food plot.

5. Keep the food plot well watered so crops will continue to grow throughout the season. If the deer food plot is not located near fresh flowing water, you could also set out a large bucket of water for the deer to drink. If you do this, it is important to change the water often so as not to attract mosquitoes and other insects.

Tips & Warnings

• Always fertilize the food plot to ensure crops growing to their fullest extent.

• Make sure you plant crops that will grow in the climate where you live. For example, planting Southern crops in Michigan might not be the best choice, because the crops may not survive in colder climates.

• Don't over-plant the plot. Don't exceed the recommendations for the amount of land needed to grow a certain number of crops.

• Plant enough acres of food plots. There is no size limit on food plots, but they should be at least 1,000 square feet.

Resources

• Biostimulant for Deer Food Plots
• Deer and Wildlife Food