Fenceline Chatter

Food plot benefits to wildlife Dykes, assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, said warm- and coolseason food plots provide benefits beyond attracting white-tailed deer during hunting season. They also support other mammal and bird species during times when forage isn’t abundant and create opportunities for wildlife viewing.

While game feeders dispensing corn or pelleted feed are a popular option in Texas, Dykes said they don’t offer the same benefits as food plots.

“A food plot with different forages provides deer with the opportunity to choose what they need as they balance their nutrient requirements.”

Further, because food plots disperse deer over an area as opposed to concentrating them in a single spot, there is a reduced risk of disease transmission between animals.

Ensuring successful food plots from the ground up While planting coolseason food plots in Texas typically takes place from September through October, preparation should begin sooner.

“ My first recommendation is to always have your soil tested,” Dykes said. “It doesn’t matter how much you plan or how much fertilizer you use — if the soil pH isn’t where it needs to be, nutrients are not going to be available to the plants.”

Landowners should take environmental conditions into consideration when establishing food plots.

It also helps to think like a deer when appraising potential plot locations.

“Deer want cover they can use as an escape. “If you already know that deer are using a particular part of your property, my recommendation would be to simply place your food plot in that area.”

Plot size and composition “I’ve planted plots that were one-tenth of an acre, and I’ve planted plots that were 25 acres,” he said. “It just depends on the density of deer on your property and the resources you have available.”

If the deer population is high, they can completely devour a plot in a matter of days — especially if you plant a desired crop like soybeans.

While pre-mixed options are available from retailers, Dykes prefers ordering seeds separately and preparing the mix himself.

“Typically, all mixes contain ryegrass, which I am not a big fan of,” Dykes said. “It’s always going to be beautiful and green, and that’s why it’s included.”

Ryegrass, not to be confused with cereal rye, contains less crude protein and is less palatable and digestible than other cool season options.

“I really like the standard mix of a winter wheat, oats, crimson clover and arrow leaf clover,” Dykes said.

Landowners can access information on seeding rates and planting depth for Dykes’ recommended cool-season mix in a guide published by AgriLife Extension.

“Lack of rainfall is probably one of the biggest limiting factors for successful food plots in Texas,” Dykes said. “I highly recommend food plots, but I always include the disclaimer that if it doesn’t rain or receive supplemental water, the plants won’t grow.”

Breaking ground After addressing any soil issues, Dykes advises a combination of herbicide and disking to remove existing vegetation and establish a good seed bed.

Fertilizer can also be applied at the time of seed dispersal.

This process typically takes place in the late summer to early fall when rain becomes more dependable. The timeframe also provides around two months for the food plots to germinate and attract white-tailed deer before the November general hunting season begins.

“I start watching the weather in mid-September,” Dykes said. “If I see that the forecast includes rain the following week, I’ll plant the seeds that weekend.”

Challenges and management In addition to annual food plots, Dykes said separate perennial plots comprised of durana or ladino clover are also beneficial.

“I love perennial plots because if you miss the opportunity to plant your annual food plot, the perennial plot will hopefully provide some forage to hunt over,” Dykes said.

“It all comes down to creating beneficial habitat for the deer,” Dykes said. “If you create good habitat on your land, they won’t have a reason to leave.”