Establishing wildlife food plots

Establishing food plots for wildlife is not a difficult process and can be done with minimal investment. According to the Ohio State University Extension, a basic understanding of the soil, the wildlife species you wish to attract, as well as the food preferences of wildlife, will help make your food plots successful.

When done properly, food plots can provide opportunities to view wildlife or develop a healthier wildlife population. Establishing food plots can also be a great activity for a family or members of a conservation organization.

Before investing time, labor, and money, it's best to ask yourself why you want to establish food plots. Do you hope to increase the health and quality of the animals on your property? Do you simply want to increase your chances of viewing more wildlife? Is there a particular species of wildlife you want to attract?

Preparing the site

Soil is the building block from which plants grow, and without proper soil nutrient levels, plants will not achieve their maximum yield. Sampling and testing the soil is the only way to know for certain the present nutrient levels and which nutrients must be added to achieve optimum plant growth. Obtain a copy of your county soil survey from your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office and a USGS topography map as you begin the planning process.

Using a shovel and a plastic bucket, walk in a zigzag pattern through the area you wish to establish. Take random soil samples to a depth of six to eight inches and place the samples in the bucket. The key to soil sampling is taking random samples. The more samples you take, the more accurate your results.

After completing the sampling process, thoroughly mix the soil in the bucket and take enough out to fill the sample bag provided by the lab. Sampling kits are available through your local office or from various commercial soil-testing labs. If the soil is moist, allow it to air dry before mailing. Once dried, follow the instructions on the form for mailing.

You should receive your soil test results within two weeks. The report will explain your present soil nutrient levels and make recommendations for lime and fertilizer based on the crops you intend to plant. As a rule of thumb, soil testing should be done once every three years. If you have questions about your soil test report, contact your county Extension office.

Sizing the plot

As you consider your proposed site, give some consideration to the size of your food plots. Your plot can be any size, but it should be large enough to be functional to wildlife. To be effective, your plot should be at least 1,000 square feet. No more than 1/4 to 1/2 acre of food plot is usually needed for each 20 acres of land. If your food plot is expected to provide winter cover, then plots of an acre or more are necessary.

Food plots are usually planted in long strips adjacent to good winter and/or escape cover such as a brushy fencerow, field border, windbreak, woodland edge, or wetland. Strip width can vary, but the wider the strips, the more food and cover created for wildlife. The closer the food plot is to good dense cover, the more use it will have by wildlife.

What and when to plant

Two factors will help determine which crops to plant in your food plot. The first is your goal(s) for the project. Wildlife species differ in the plants that they prefer. The second is the landscape around the proposed site. If acres and acres of corn and soybeans surround you, planting more of the same probably will not attract wildlife to your property. However, if there are none of these fields in your area, you may be able to attract wildlife that uses these crops.

Table 1, below, provides a list of some of the more common crops used in wildlife food plots, along with the wildlife they attract, planting dates, and seeding rates.

Seed may be purchased from businesses that supply seeds to farmers. Check with farmers in your area. They may be able to suggest a particular seed dealer. In addition, many wildlife organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Unlimited, Quality Deer Management, or Ducks Unlimited may provide seeds for food plots.

Some county soil and water conservation districts also sell wildlife food plot seeds. Also check with any sporting goods stores in your area. Many of these businesses sell pre-packaged food plot seeds.

Get the right equipment

Many food plots can be established with a minimum investment in equipment. A small tractor, disk, and corn planter or grain drill will often do the job. If you own an ATV, there are several manufacturers of seeders, fertilizer spreaders, and other attachments designed specifically for use with an ATV.

For small areas, once the area has been prepared, planting the seeds by hand can be done successfully. Many soil and water conservation districts have seeding equipment for rent on a per-acre basis. In some cases, local farmers can be hired to complete the tillage and planting.

Common errors

Here are some common mistakes made by people establishing food plots:

• More is better. Exceeding the seeding, lime, or fertilizer recommendation is a waste of both time and money and, in the case of lime and fertilizer, too much may negatively affect the crop. The recommendations for seeding and nutrient application have been researched and should not be exceeded.

• Not fertilizing. Most crops need applications of fertilizer to help them grow and achieve maximum productivity. Don't assume your soil doesn't need fertilizer. Soil test -- don't guess.

• Using old seed. Seed that is old may not have been properly stored and handled. Make certain to use new, high quality seed in your food plot.

• Planting agricultural seeds in shaded areas. Plants grown for agricultural purposes require sunlight for energy and growth. Avoid placing these seeds in shaded areas such as woods.

• Not planting enough acres. Food plots that are too small are ineffective. Food plots can be any size, but should be at least 1,000 square feet. Food plots of 1/4 to 1/2 acre in size for every 20 acres are a good rule of thumb.

• Planting too late for maturity. All crops require a certain number of days to grow and mature. If the plants are planted too late, they will not mature and will fail to provide food to wildlife.