Deer land management

[K9kodi]

Maybe this is place for this convo, maybe not. Soon to find out.

I have a healthy chunk of land, well taken care of, in central va. The piedmont as some call it.

Roughly 800 acres, a small portion of it is cowed pasture and fence, large area of select cut where pines were removed and hardwoods left. It’s at the point now some grasses and undergrowth are coming in thick. , a large section maybe 100 acres of straight 3 year old clear cut where it’s a bramble bush and blackberry haven, you are not walkin through it. There is a logging road through it though.

The rest is a mix of mature hard woods and pine timber stands, some thick stuff as well and it’s boarded by a big ass lake.

I’ve got zero agriculture around me. I wanna do 3 separate food plots maybe 1/2 acre to 1 each of soybean and maybe seed the trails going through the property in certain areas with clover. There is plenty of fresh flowing water going to the lake.

I’m stumped on what kind of seed, should I go with ag soybean or bean bearing soy. I think I’m better off purchasing actual soy beans vs a deer seed via a food plot company. Same w clover.

Is anyone around there with experience doing this stuff as i never have, but I got the tractor, implements and physical aptitude. I am sure I could figure it out, but I’m also at the age of doing things my way cause I know best gets expensive.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Since you already have hardwoods, you have food.

So, I’d start by carving some paths through the blackberries. I’d stop after carving some paths through the blackberries.

If I planted anything, it would be sunflowers. Deer eat the heck out of them and they are pretty.

 

[Skerhunter]

What is your actual goal of this property?

Just general improvements or do you want to hold/shoot mature bucks. I say that because it sounds like you already have good food/water sources and a good mix of habitat. Spending money on improving bedding and setting up good access might be time/money well spent vs adding some food plots.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

While soybeans are great, the deer would blow through them with that small amount planted just as soon as they sprout.

We planted awnless wheat, crimson and arrowleaf clover this year for our fall plots and the deer are enjoying it. The deer will eat the awnless wheat heads in the Spring better apposed to traditional awned wheat.

But yeah, you'll be pissed if you do that small amount of acreage in beans.

With that amount of acreage, you could do more food plots at that 1/2 to 1 acre size. I'd do it close to the real thick areas and planted pines aka bedding.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Check out habitat-talk.com.

Everything your looking for in one place.
Lived on that site for awhile.

 

[K9kodi]

Check out habitat-talk.com.

Everything your looking for in one place.
Lived on that site for awhile.

Perfect, that’s what I was looking for.

 

[K9kodi]

While soybeans are great, the deer would blow through them with that small amount planted just as soon as they sprout.

We planted awnless wheat, crimson and arrowleaf clover this year for our fall plots and the deer are enjoying it. The deer will eat the awnless wheat heads in the Spring better apposed to traditional awned wheat.

But yeah, you'll be pissed if you do that small amount of acreage in beans.

With that amount of acreage, you could do more food plots at that 1/2 to 1 acre size. I'd do it close to the real thick areas and planted pines aka bedding.

I would plant soybeans and fence it in w electric fence. I can run a stand alone energizer or tap off of the current cattle fence for a small enough area.

 

[K9kodi]

What is your actual goal of this property?

Just general improvements or do you want to hold/shoot mature bucks. I say that because it sounds like you already have good food/water sources and a good mix of habitat. Spending money on improving bedding and setting up good access might be time/money well spent vs adding some food plots.

I can’t disagree w you. I feel like what’s there is good, but we lack any real ag. Acorns are def source of energy but lack protein. The pine stands are pretty damn thick and one large stand is infiltrated with briars and brush that you won’t be walking through. Boarded by by an old logging road. I ask questions cause I don’t have answers, but I feel like what’s there is good, but lacks ag. As far as shooting big mature bucks, they are there. Last season and this years season were first two seasons in maybe 25-30 years that it’s been hunted. I’ve passed on a lot of young bucks and try not to shoot anythhht under 3-4 years ols

 

[K9kodi]

Since you already have hardwoods, you have food.

So, I’d start by carving some paths through the blackberries. I’d stop after carving some paths through the blackberries.

If I planted anything, it would be sunflowers. Deer eat the heck out of them and they are pretty.

Sunflowers, don’t turkey love those too?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Sunflowers, don’t turkey love those too?

Yes, all birds do.

 

[K9kodi]

Shits yea

 

[Fogalo]

Guy, you’re thinking way too small. If you get the equipment to do three acres, just do 15 or more.

Now I’m in the Midwest so there is some bias here, but, I can tell you food = deer. Not only that but food plot design gives you access corridors to slip in and out.

5 acres is a good starting point for one feeder plot.