02 August 2006, 21:39
SFC E7Wisconsin food plot?
Would like some help on this problem guys, I have small openings in north central wisconsin heavy woodland. sizes range from 20x50 ft to 40x80 ft. They are not accessable by atv so any groundwork by machine is out. any suggestions as to what I could sow without tilling would be appreciated.
Thanks,
SFC E7
08 August 2006, 11:16
22WRFFor this fall only, go to the local feed store and get some Rye. try and plant it right before a heavy rain. But even more important is a bit of mineral and a bit of fertilizer so there is some nutrient to go into that rye. If it grows, believe me, you will have deer there.
20 September 2006, 18:07
matt salmI've planted quite a few on my land from the clover/wheat/rye mixes to straight brassicas such as pinfold kale and dwarf essex rape. The best plot I have is straight puna chicory. In the summer when the grasses seem to burn off and go dormant, this stuff grows up green. I mow it off in late summer and by bowhunting time I have a plot of solid chicory that the deer absolutely hammer. They usually are in it 1 hour before closing time and graze on that chicory the whole time. Check out albert lea sead house for different grazing blends and seed, they have great service and prices.
Anything you do you'll probably have to work up the ground somehow though, even if you just rake it up a bit. You might have good luck with the rye as 22WRF mentions, or I'd also consider imperial whitetail clover, the clovers usually do well in shaded areas and take hold well.