Reading about the outfitters and "earning" deer in the Stan Potts thread got me thinking. My buddy and I started to develop a property he bought right about a year ago. Jesse's comments about sweat equity and being happy got me thinking. Combine these things with a few articles I have read in magazines lately, and here is another thread idea.
What are your goals in food plots? How much do you think they help you? How much does it benefit the deer and their antlers/overall health?
Here are my thoughts. Keep in mind, I have done some small food plots the last couple years (less than 1/2 acre), but this year we went all out.
My thoughts:
1. The overall health of the deer herd is going to benefit. I think there is plenty of browse available, and I know there are plenty of crops available the majority of the growing season in my area. However, once the crops come off, this is where we will benefit. I don't think it will happen so much in the form of antlers, but in the recovery time after the rut and into the next spring. I believe by having additional food sources carrying forward into the winter, the next spring we will see a shorter recovery time. My hopes are to see the deer "fatten up" quicker next spring versus just getting by with what is available in a normal winter. This should help not only the fawns in their first winter, but the pregnant does, and the bucks after the rut. I think it could take a few years to truly see antler quality increase (if it ever does), but by giving them this jump start going into spring it will help the bucks in all age classes be able to work on their antler development just a little bit sooner.
2. Late season attractant. Holding power if you will. We are hoping to see the deer simply flock onto the property in the late season. Will it happen? I don't know, but that is a goal. Hopefully it helps with shed hunting as well, but that will just be a bonus. Not all properties have what it takes to "hold deer", but we are hoping it pulls in some deer we might not have seen otherwise.
3. Goals for us are twofold. The plots in the ground this year were simply efforts to get something in the ground. This property hadn't been worked in decades. Tons of work was needed just to be able to plant anything. Once cleared and dirt turned, we HAD to get something in the ground or it would just go back to weeds. Goals of improving the land for hunting AND prepping it for future agricultural uses were our motivation. It is a hunting property first, but if you can get your property to pay you back while making it a better hunting property, then all the better!
I am curious what some of you guys will have to say on this subject. Obviously, the overall health of the herd is going to bring long term antler benefits. There is also a genetic factor involved as well though. There is also a need for water and cover in there. I feel it is the entire package and not just a food plot or two which create this environment for better antlers. Without cover, water, food, and low hunting pressure, it is going to be a waste of time. There are so many factors involved to create the perfect storm, I don't think it is a reality on most properties. Without a large enough property (or surrounding properties with common goals) it is not going to happen.
What reasons do you guys plant them? What benefits are you looking for and what benefits have you already seen? Do you feel your goals are realistic or are you simply hoping to achieve the desired effects? Is it something you enjoy like a getaway for you? Or is it something you feel is necessary to make things happen? Just curious.
What are your goals in food plots? How much do you think they help you? How much does it benefit the deer and their antlers/overall health?
Here are my thoughts. Keep in mind, I have done some small food plots the last couple years (less than 1/2 acre), but this year we went all out.
My thoughts:
1. The overall health of the deer herd is going to benefit. I think there is plenty of browse available, and I know there are plenty of crops available the majority of the growing season in my area. However, once the crops come off, this is where we will benefit. I don't think it will happen so much in the form of antlers, but in the recovery time after the rut and into the next spring. I believe by having additional food sources carrying forward into the winter, the next spring we will see a shorter recovery time. My hopes are to see the deer "fatten up" quicker next spring versus just getting by with what is available in a normal winter. This should help not only the fawns in their first winter, but the pregnant does, and the bucks after the rut. I think it could take a few years to truly see antler quality increase (if it ever does), but by giving them this jump start going into spring it will help the bucks in all age classes be able to work on their antler development just a little bit sooner.
2. Late season attractant. Holding power if you will. We are hoping to see the deer simply flock onto the property in the late season. Will it happen? I don't know, but that is a goal. Hopefully it helps with shed hunting as well, but that will just be a bonus. Not all properties have what it takes to "hold deer", but we are hoping it pulls in some deer we might not have seen otherwise.
3. Goals for us are twofold. The plots in the ground this year were simply efforts to get something in the ground. This property hadn't been worked in decades. Tons of work was needed just to be able to plant anything. Once cleared and dirt turned, we HAD to get something in the ground or it would just go back to weeds. Goals of improving the land for hunting AND prepping it for future agricultural uses were our motivation. It is a hunting property first, but if you can get your property to pay you back while making it a better hunting property, then all the better!
I am curious what some of you guys will have to say on this subject. Obviously, the overall health of the herd is going to bring long term antler benefits. There is also a genetic factor involved as well though. There is also a need for water and cover in there. I feel it is the entire package and not just a food plot or two which create this environment for better antlers. Without cover, water, food, and low hunting pressure, it is going to be a waste of time. There are so many factors involved to create the perfect storm, I don't think it is a reality on most properties. Without a large enough property (or surrounding properties with common goals) it is not going to happen.
What reasons do you guys plant them? What benefits are you looking for and what benefits have you already seen? Do you feel your goals are realistic or are you simply hoping to achieve the desired effects? Is it something you enjoy like a getaway for you? Or is it something you feel is necessary to make things happen? Just curious.