Feeding area deer and turkey

Before the rut and cold weather kicks in, you should focus on food sources to intercept deer and turkey.
Now that deer and turkey season opens on the first of October, you should focus on food to find them both. There is no better way to find consistent animal movement than to set up on their food source. Large fields of corn, beans and clover can be seen all over in our part of the state. While some hunters choose to hunt crop and hay fields, others are planting their own plots to attract game. There are several things to know about plots, before you attempt to plant one. Beware you could be wasting your time if you don't plant in the right spot and are not preparing the soil properly.
Before the rut kicks in, bucks and does can be found filling their faces. They seek out the most nourishing food source in the area, and eat as much as possible. This is the time for them to pack on winter fat reserves. For this reason, you should be ready to intercept them in their travels. I like to sit near, but not on the food. Deer tend to show themselves on the food at first and last light. If you can figure out where they are coming from, you have a good chance at intercepting one as they head to or from the food.
It is important that you locate the most used trails that enter and exit the food. I then recommend getting at least 200 yards away. The spot that you choose to hunt will be your most important decision. I recommend setting up on a spot where a couple or several trials intersect. This will give you more chances than just setting up on a single, well-used, trail. If you are just away from the intersection, the deer could take the trail you are not on. Being at the point where they cross gives you the best opportunity for a shot. Look the location over and choose your spot with wind and sun in mind. For a morning set, you won't want to be looking east and refrain from west facing stands for afternoon/evening hunts. I have had to pass several deer over time, because the sun made it too hard to see the animal well enough for a shot. A bad wind can also ruin your chances for a shot. Set up to accommodate the most common wind. Most of my stands are set to work with a west or southwest wind. Remember to place sets in locations that favor odd winds too. If you don't prepare for different wind directions, you will not be able to hunt on bad wind days.
Choose a route into your stand site that doesn't intersect trails that you expect deer to come from. If you cross a trail, the scent left behind could cause the deer to deviate. In that case, you have ruined your hunt before it has even started. When the rut kicks in, you should do the opposite and cross as many trails as possible. You can drag scent, which will cause the deer to follow it to your stand site. If you are not making a scent drag, avoid the trails as if it were earlier in season.
The food plot revolution is taking over amongst deer and turkey hunters. It is amazing to harvest an animal off of a plot that you have planted. They say build it, and they will come, but that's a little off. You have to build it right first, then they will come.
You must start first with a soil test and a spot with plenty of sun. Depending on what you want to plant, you may have to alter the soil PH level. Most seed varieties tell what PH the plant will thrive under. You may have to lyme the plot to alter the PH. Don't forget to fertilize. It is rare that the soil will be fertile enough to not require fertilization. Both of these are spread about the plot, after it has been tilled and the rocks have been removed. Most seed varieties are small, and rocks will prevent the seed from rooting. Follow the directions on the bag, and all should be fine. There are a few new varieties of seed that grow in low light with poor soil quality. I haven’t seen how they work, but it would be great to just rake the soil in the spring and disperse the seed.
There are people out there who don't like the use of food in the harvesting deer and turkey. I ask. “how often do you go fishing with a bare hook?” As hunters, we all want to give ourselves the best opportunity at harvesting an animal. Using food to increase your odds, is no different than placing a worm on your hook. Turkey tend to feed in the same places deer do. Be ready to move or stand your ground dependent on their movement.
Good wishes, and focus on the food.

Comments

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