@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Jeff, who would you say is your equivalent for the south? All your videos appear to be mostly northern centric. The climates and timing are different as are some of the deer’s behaviors and preferences.
I have been planting MRC with my barassicas for the last 4 years, buddy of mine suggested it then follow up with a frost seed of clover then use the clover to fuel the soil with Nitrogen till it’s time to plant it again the following year. How I have been able to keep planting the barassicas in my kill plots year after year. Your buckwheat method is fantastic I thank you for that tip. I did 3.5 acres that way this year and just Seeded them today with the fall blend with a Good front coming this weekend here in Pennsylvania. Can’t wait for bow season to start, keep the content coming love ur videos
Hi Adam it's been working for me since the late 90s...awesome tactic! Thanks a lot too...will try to keep em coming! I love these Summer cold fronts...love the uptick on the trail cams too!
They can be great as long as deer don't feed on them and you don't have to walk on them while deer are feeding on them, to stands. Something to consider is that in areas with more shade and moisture and a need for ground cover...perennial rye grass blends are a .uch netter choice than clovers. For example in our hills around shore, clover is a bad choice because it creates a much higher risk for soil erosion. Thr good thing is the deer eat it down to the dirt in small areas.in the UP of MI I used to plan it in trails because I could count on the deer not being there when I accessed stand locations. In some areas clover on trails can attract deer to hunter success which is always a very bad thing. Just depends on shade, region, erosion concerns, etc.
Always enjoy your programs. I sure wish you could come down here to the south, Southern Alabama, and spend some time and spread some of your knowledge and information.
It’s scary how good your timing has been this season. Just checked my clover plot and it’s doing well but was considering adding fall rye in mid August (northern Minnesota) but reading your side comments the clover will smoother/shade the rye out. That would have been an epic fail. Thanks Jeff. Really enjoying your excitement with the new property. You’re like a kid at Xmas. All the best.
Thanks I'm like a sponge and you are definitely the waterfall my eyes are killing me from watching so many of your videos and preciate all the information
This is a tough one for me. I agree completely with this and I know this is strictly about whitetail, but I'll always have a clover spot for my turkeys. Even though I don't need it for my deer, spring turkey hunts over my clover are typically successful. Thanks Jeff for another great video
This is my second summer with no summer planted food plots. I’m seeing almost no does and fawns our and about on my property. The ag fields around me are populated like always in the evenings. I’m enjoying watching the change and excited about the potential results. Thanks as always. Ksf
I’m trying to do some good info on winter rye,oats and clover.This year I am amazed how this 4 acre field is still staying super super green and the oats are,and we have had several heavy frosts.I am going to change my plots this coming season with clover,rye and oats.I really like your info on plots.
I think it's funny you guys have to plant clover. In NC where I am, I can't stop clover from growing and deer don't seem to care about it. Good luck and hunting.
I'm by no means an expert on food plots but I have found that clover is a Great late season food source. I planted 2 acres of imperial whitetail clover and I had deer in November like never before. It stayed green and lush very late and the deer love it. They pawed away at it and the turnips right into January.
My little girl (12yrs old) is OBSESSED with your videos and trying to learn how to hunt. She said her dream is to come hunt with you if you're ever hunting in the Ohio area. She says "she wants to learn all the tips and tricks from someone with some sense!" Lol
"someone with some sense", lol...my wife is sitting right next to me and laughed pretty hard at that 😁 Tell her that really means a lot to me...and also great luck this season!! Made my morning 👍
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 The moment I knew she was really hooked on your videos: We're getting ready to head out back into our blind. We're not even 10 steps out of the garage door and she bolts stiff as a board in front of me, so naturally I stop... She turns around and says in the nastiest whisper I've ever heard from her, "daddy, I hate to pull a Jeff on you, but you're gonna have to quiet down your clunky footsteps and roll your foot, or there's aint gonna be no deer left to hunt!" 😠 Yeah, I knew right then and there that she's been watching your videos hard! Hahaha Good luck to you guys this upcoming season too! Thanks so much for the good content with great tips and advice. Just know you're making a much bigger impact on people's lives than you know.
I planted clover for my very first food plot just because it gave me instant gratification and actually pulled in a couple of does. But what really loved it were the wabbits! One word...SWEET BABY RAY'S!!!
I love these videos! I watch them religiously. I have a 10 acre parcel with a 1 acre food plot, some good bedding area, and I butt up to 40 acres. I watch your videos and do my best to incorporate your advice into my situation. If you have ever worked on parcels of my size I’d love to hear how you managed them.
Jeff I’ve looked thru all your videos don’t see anything on fruit trees in or around food plots. I see apple tree attraction. Could you do video on good and bad of fruit trees around plots or even video on what you think of planting fruit trees on your property thank you
Yes,herd building.we want does hitting our food plot.food plots taking off ,recent camera shows 4 does 2 bucks,last night.what we need to know is can we mow ,for weeds with a brassica clover mix.other 1/2 of 1 acre field is mostly brassica.can we mow and not wreck the brassica?seems like more rye from last years late plant.
Hey Jeff... Your content is awesome. I am back for another round of feed plots. I am 50 years old this year and I have tried it all to some success and a lot of fails. My feed plots originally failed for not doing a soil sample... solved that... then I planted and only saw a lot of does (doe factory). Choosing of the right crops... I love the no-till method ... will plant buckwheat this year. I tilled because I had to this year but plan for this to be the last year. I did half with peas, oats, and beans... other half with radish and turnips. I did not notice until later that you planted the brassica side at different times than the side of the peas. I hunt in Florida... maybe your are unaware but you have followers in the south. Whenever possible could you give suggestions for the deep south hunters as well. You have renewed my excitement for the new season. Oh.. almost forgot.. I will be planting switchgrass as a screening method... I have set for almost 45 minutes waiting for deer to leave my feed plot... that is excruciating and you never really know if they are gone... you listen and then hope for the best....
update Jeff... My plot is getting hammered... not only have they demolished the peas and beans side... but they have done the same to the turnip and radish side. I applied 100 pounds of winter rye this weekend and will do so again in 3 weeks as your prescribed in another blog. How do you feel about the electric fencing in order to get the plot up to size before allowing the deer to graze? Are there negatives to doing this? I assume you do not recommend this because I have not heard you mention this as an option.
Perennial plots are much tougher. It takes very little rain 4 weeds to be prolific here on sand soil in MN. On 1 plot here I didnt get a cover crop in early enough in April due to hot weather. The consequences were I mowed weeds all summer. In a nearby plot I planted buckwheat to support 🐝 & drown out the weeds. 3 years later I have a great 🍀/real brassica that is a foot tall with white everywhere from the new & old white & ladino blooming. I did add seed by early spring cuz I have lots of rainfall last fall which was the elixir. Next year in the other plot after getting a good pumpkin crop for deer which is grown in the fringes of buckwheat on the exterior I should be able to plant a plot w/o weeds. It all depends on the moisture content.
Good tip on the chicory. I always thought the chicory was more 4 turkeys but having something around other than brassica to help 🍀 getting established is always an ace in the hole.
Thanks Jeff. I’ll be planting half of my plots in sweet feast blend and the other half with winter rye. Last year brassicas got hammered so saved the plot with winter rye. Should I consider fencing the brassica portion?
Jeff , I have ran into 3 guys now that are planting Pumpkin 🎃 for food plots because "deer just love them" would love to hear your opinion on this. Great clover video BTW . I don't think you give clover enough love, here in WNY zone 6A my imperial clover is still green in November December even under the snow. It has to be the most effective efficient planting . mowing and frost seeding can yield a tv quality plot for >5yr
Hi Doug...pumpkins can work but there are a lot better options like corn. You also need to have green to establish a pattern of use in late August and September. I like clover in locations where herd building needs to take place thru Summer doe fawning residency. But even then there are better, more attractive options like soy beans. However in most areas the Summer food contributes to high doe numbers/low buck numbers. Even on my land in MN they used beans to build a solid Summer buck herd and deer herd in general, but then the beans were gone early and they lacked the power to hold bucks. You can always find better volume than clover during the hunting season and you avoid the Summer doe factory risks. I used clover for 15 years extensively. Originated various clover rotations with cool season annual combo plantings in the 90s and published the results in the Quality Whitetails magazine in the mid 2000s. But, I had enough experience to realize that there are far better options and haven't really planted clover other than for soil building plow down options...for roughly 12 years now. I do recommend clover occasionally to clients when it fits...maybe 10 clients out of 120 per year? But my goal is to design a food plot program that will fit the best for them and provide the most explosive, high level qualities...clover doesn't fit to often. Which is why I just burned down roughly 7 acres of clover and alfalfa on my new land and am replacing with corn and Switchgrass in those areas. The perennials were holding the previous landowner back on this land...can't wait to see the changes this Fall ☺️ Clover is a fit at times...but even then there are far better high volume options with a higher power of attraction in the Fall, nearly all of the time. Coming from someone who managed clover on a professional level for a long time...up to 8 acres per year in just 1 parcel. Let's out it this way...if my neighbors all have clover this year...they will rarely see a mature buck during the daylight. They don't because the know better, but just saying...
Ok are season opener is September 12 here in NC when would you recommend planting to not make a doe factory? Now I have just small kill plots the property is super thick and only using the plots to get deer to move through a certain place. And to draw them out of the thick cover for a shot..
What cover you spread over 1/4 acre or so of soybean field...would still be there after They are picked..if farmer is good with it..winter rye..maybe spread late...THANK...GREAT INFO
Jeff, this is an amazing video. The one thing that came to mind right off the bat is if i were to walk through that buckwheat in MD in june or july to spread seed I would be destroyed by chiggers they are horrible here and ticks. MD has 3rd highest limes disease rate in the world last I checked. Could I lay it down, spread seed, then re cultipack? Thank you so much for your response
I wonder if you have advice for planting S. W. Kentuky. I spend a whole Sunday bench watching, and listening to your channel. So I'm thinking I have being going the wrong way. I have 81acres in N. Logan county Kentuky. Unfortunately, I'm a Florida resident so time is very limited. I was hoping you could advise on best way to plant something. Hope it is not too much of a loaded question. Great channel thank you.
Jeff, Firstly I think you make some awesome videos. You're knowledgeable and experienced in the field. My family's farm is in South Alabama towards the Florida line. Most of your videos are based with references to the UP, Ohio and Rust Belt. My question is do you have any videos that cover our sub tropical and Piedmont regions? I'm blessed to have great family land that's been passed down. I grew up hunting it and have taken many good deer over the years. Just looking for some trusted info or sources. Have a good day.
Thanks for all your videos! We have a clover/chicory field that I want to be able to plant cool season crops in without killing out the clover. If we plan our last mowing around August, can I broadcast my cool season annuals in the standing clover just before mowing and hope the mowing acts as a mulch to help germinate/protect the seed?
Hi Bradley no it is not possible. It is if you disc them into the ground and then cultipack, but the buckwheat takes the place of that, builds the soil, aids in moisture retention, combats erosion and smothers weed growth. Still time to get buckwheat in the ground! I am planting mine today in WI and MN...
Hi Justin tha k you and I would have never said lose weight! But, man what do you struggle with the most...getting into the woods, climbing into stands?
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I am using 2 man ladder stands hunting solo. No matter how I have brushed them in I can't stay hidden. I switched to shooting seated at your recommendation and that has helped. But when I am waiting for non shooters to pass , I get busted alot, and they are upwind of me.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 also using clean clothes and your recommendation for dressing before walking in. I can fill gun tags, but even with water holes and vine mock scrapes only does and young bucks. The 4+ year old bucks will turn 50 yards out and go around me. With a gun, he done, with a bow, it's like he is saying "I'm here, and you can't reach me. Lol
Love your videos. One question I have had regards the overseeding you do during the ultimate no till method. You use Rye as an overseed later on. My question is have you ever tried an annual clover with or in stead of rye? The benefit in my mind would be the nitrogen fixing potential of the clover.
Thank you Jeff! This is confusing to me but i think i have a good idea of what i am going to plant and how to approach it. Have you ever used clover and fescue?
Jeff, I have a few clover plots that were drilled with clover and rye this Spring (the rye was used to slow the seed rate down when planting through the drill). The clover and rye are looking great are coming in great. My question is should I leave the rye in the plot to help shade the clover when the heat comes and to help with grazing pressure or should I sprayer to kill the rye sometime this summer?
I enjoy your vids, and listening to your knowledge. Being from WI, sometimes I come up with crazy ideas, people sneer at me. Then I see a new vid by you, and there it is, confirmation I'm on the right track. One of the challenges with plots is that I can only get up to the land a couple times before hunting season, and only a few times during season to clobber one. Your vids have helped me maximize my time. TY PS, I hope you're not defecting to become a vikings fan?
Great video, I don't recall having seen one on clover before. Looking forward to see how you incorporate corn (and beans?) into your new property and designs - is the corn/beans a destination beyond the greens, or side-by-side with the greens (field into thirds, not just halves of fall grain/greens)? Please show layouts in addition to the audio/video.... THANKS!
Jeff I’m in northern Minnesota, my 160 acres is predominantly woods, a few small openings and some wide spots in a recent logging trail I can plant. Since browse is covered from the recent aspen cut should I forgo clover and just plant rye every year in these spots for fall and winter food? I just spread the recommendation for lime to bring the ph to 6.5. I was planning to plant rye and clover at the end of the summer.
Jeff, we are starting a food plot in southern Ohio that’s about .35 of an acre in the middle of the woods with thicket and a water source around. Great pictures so far. We have 10,000 sq ft of brassica’s to plant. Thinking of surrounding the 10k sq ft of brassica with clover so that the pressure is low until the clover is not as effective after frost. Depending on your opinion, we could just plant 100% clover and mix winter rye in there as well, forgetting the brassica. What do you think?
Hi Jeff, love all your videos and all the great information you put out! I am settling on my first property located in the northeast next week. It is 27 acres that is all woods that has surrounding fields on the neighbors properties. There is a clearing in the middle of my property that is roughly 2 acres and I want to put a plot in it. What would you recommend to plant? I plan on adding a few vertical mock scrapes next week and a watering hole on a major path from the neighbors property as well as getting some cameras out to start logging the deer activity. I know there are a lot of big deer in this area and hope to get things set up in time for the upcoming season. Thanks!
I’m in north Mississippi and I’m wondering what kind of clover is the best for my area that will last through part of the winter and I’m gonna mix it with wheat
Putting the pieces together, your linear food plot design is best for my property layout. I want to keep the plots identical throughout my property so that I can isolate the deer movement. Do you suggest your buckwheat no-till throughout with just brassicas? I would guess that you wouldn't split long linear plots in half brassica and half clover and or grains due to being more narrow.
You need need to specify in aloy of your videos that roughly 90% of the methods you preach apply to northern US regions. The things you try to teach will work okish where I'm from in a few small areas and some will put you behind the curve big time!
I know you said in this video or another one maybe both that you only use 24d in with glysophate first spray early in the spring. But say now it's almost June I am just getting in to spray and I wanna use 24d close to where I want to plant. How close is to close what is that safe zone I can use 24d close to that buckwheat I'm planting early June
Hi Robert you can not. The clover shades out the rye and kills it ...same with any other seed. You have to kill the clover or throw seed down when it is already eaten down to the dirt so soil is exposed
Mr Sturgis, what would you suggest for a TN hunter that is just starting into his management plan. I have not done a soil sample yet and I know that is step 1. What would my target dates be for this area? I am trying to support and enrich both the deer herd and the turkey flocks. I have had success with clover in the past so I would like to incorporate it also. Going to try out the Buckwheat no till method. Any help would be appreciated. Thanx
Jeff seems to be northern focused. What works in the north doesn’t always work in the south. There’s some key differences. I would check with your local experts and university wildlife biology deer experts.
If you split your food plots with a brassica blend and oats/peas type mix and want to incorporate corn do you replace the oats/peas side with corn in a rotation or maybe split a plot into thirds?
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 great thanks I love all your content it has helped me alot own my property in north Carolina and as a hunter in general thank y'all
Hi Jeff, love all the vids and great info you provide! Thanks! I live in southeast Mi, but have 80 acres in the U.P. (zip code 49913) with my brothers. We have a challenge... too much swamp, and the high ground is very sandy with low PH (put a ton of lime on our 2 acres of food plots last year and plan more every year for awhile). Plan also to clear and make more foodplots. Soil very poor, so did rye last fall with Northwoods Sweet Feast brassica blend on other half, and planted buckwheat this spring. What kind of clover for sandy soil? Or again as you said... just go with a blend? Will the clover blend plus chicory that John has at Northwoods Whitetails work for sandy soils? Thanks again, Mik
So if I really wanted to help grow a herd, I could plant clover and chicory mix in spring, then add brassica mix to the plot in early august? Or do I have to pick one or the other, meaning clover/chicory in spring OR clover/brassica in fall?
Hi Eric! If you have to choose 1 or the other...always choose Fall 1st as a huge priority. 1 thing I recommend in herd building is to plant the entire plot system in a clover mix (the chicory doesn't add too much), and then take 1/2 and plant a brassica/clover blend in the Fall. You have to till and replant tho...or spray and wait appxomately 4 weeks. However, you can not plant the brassica straight into the clover unless the brassica is weed free and doing poorly with enough exposed soil. I discuss those rotations quite a bit in my 2014 food plot book.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thank you very much! I loved your Whitetail Success by Design book. I will have to pick up that one as well! First year doing any sort of land/herd management and you've certainly been a great inspiration and mentor along the way.
Jeff what would be good to get on the ground for deer if I missed the earlier corn/bean planting dates, and it’s not going to be cold enough for clover for our opener in September, what do you recommend?
Soooo... do you think I should mow my clover and over seed with brassicas in August? I have small plots about 30yd x 20yd. Unfortunately I didn't find you channel until after I planted clover. I was just planting brassicas and raddish, just wanted to try something perennial, maybe was a mistake?
In most areas there are a dozen plantings that will help you and the herd more in the Fall, than clover. BUT, you would have to kill the clover now and make sure the area allows for good seed to soil contact. Just seeding into mowed clover will not allow the brassica to find enough sunlight to grow. It has to be tilled, killed or both depending on the timing of your first kill.
Her is my opinion... given the size of your plot, the deer are most likely "mowing" your plot for you. If you see growth as high as 8 inches, I would mow. Anything less that that, I would not mow.
Without a decent amount of discing there is really nothing that you can seed into alfalfa. Alfalfa is also an extremely poor choice for whitetails in about 95% of all situations...but again tho whether it is alfalfa or clover there isn't anything you can seed into either without some dirt work. Even then you only end up with a partial crop going into Fall.
Would I be wasting my time to make a tiny food plot of like a quarter acre I only have 8 to play with. Dont mind the work to do it if helpful. I have a small opening in the woods that I can take just a couple more trees out for plenty of sun that bottlenecks to an ag field from a thicket that they bed in.
How could someone give this a thumbs down. Seems to be the same people on all the videos that give it a thumbs down. Those people suck, must be all the Peta people.
So what would you recommend I do? I hunt in central Ohio, and just found out a few days ago that the farmer will not be planting any crops this year where I hunt. I plan on spraying for the first time asap (probably Monday, June 22). Can I get by this year by spraying twice about a month apart and planting in the fall, without planting buckwheat? I hope to have 4-5 acres of food plot total. This is my first time trying to plant any food plots, so I want to make sure I get it right...
Whitetail Habitat Solutions lmao don’t take it as insulting, your intellect let’s you speak about this stuff like an everyday conversation, it’s impressive
I will say I really enjoy the videos and the no till method you are teaching. But I guess I’m a little confused here, you have stated in a previous video that corn isn’t good for the deer and hard for them to digest, even going on to say that it could kill deer in a hard winter. But now your planting corn to get them through the winter? Like previously stated I enjoy the no till methods you use, but in the video you talk about killing and discing the two year old clover. I’m guessing with it being a perennial your afraid that it will be resilient to the chemicals?
I like blends for clients because often folks don't match their soil conditions to the variety. Ladino is great...with great soil. Alsike for wet. Med red for a quick till under crop. For me personally...I haven't planted clover in many years.
This video is about clover, then not about clover, then its not the best at all? I get it. If your deer don't need it then don't plant it. I think for the average deer property mgr. clover is awesome. Food source in April to Oct (late march to early Dec in the mid south where i am in NC), low maintainence, just mow, withstands heavy browsing, just mow, no plow and you get 3-5 years and can seed in the winter with a hand seeder. My buck and does love clover, but my areas are mostly big forested areas with lot of acorns and mast, so corn not needed so much. When you not sure what to do with a food plot at first, then clover. Clover is always my base, then brassics and legumes rotated as time and budget permits. But, clover is just plain good and I can show you lots of monster bucks feeding on secluded clover as they leave the heavy cover and woods head to the corn for the evening also on my iowa lease i get every 2 years in October and november.
He keeps saying that deer have enough food during the summer cause of all the ag around. All the scouting ive done around my area and all the pics I get are skinny deer that I can see there ribs during the summer so it's hard to believe they have enough food with the farmers when there skinny.
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
I love seeing people when they're in their zone. Sir you're in it.
Great information .God bless
Ha, thanks a lot Norm...hope that you can tell I love this stuff ☺️ I hope that you have a great weekend!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Jeff, who would you say is your equivalent for the south? All your videos appear to be mostly northern centric. The climates and timing are different as are some of the deer’s behaviors and preferences.
I have been planting MRC with my barassicas for the last 4 years, buddy of mine suggested it then follow up with a frost seed of clover then use the clover to fuel the soil with Nitrogen till it’s time to plant it again the following year. How I have been able to keep planting the barassicas in my kill plots year after year. Your buckwheat method is fantastic I thank you for that tip. I did 3.5 acres that way this year and just Seeded them today with the fall blend with a
Good front coming this weekend here in Pennsylvania. Can’t wait for bow season to start, keep the content coming love ur videos
Hi Adam it's been working for me since the late 90s...awesome tactic! Thanks a lot too...will try to keep em coming!
I love these Summer cold fronts...love the uptick on the trail cams too!
I like clover for my trails. I had been mowing them anyway so it isn't adding much work, and it isn't taking away from Fall and Winter foods.
They can be great as long as deer don't feed on them and you don't have to walk on them while deer are feeding on them, to stands.
Something to consider is that in areas with more shade and moisture and a need for ground cover...perennial rye grass blends are a .uch netter choice than clovers. For example in our hills around shore, clover is a bad choice because it creates a much higher risk for soil erosion. Thr good thing is the deer eat it down to the dirt in small areas.in the UP of MI I used to plan it in trails because I could count on the deer not being there when I accessed stand locations. In some areas clover on trails can attract deer to hunter success which is always a very bad thing. Just depends on shade, region, erosion concerns, etc.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks for perennial rye tip, I might give that a shot.
Always enjoy your programs. I sure wish you could come down here to the south, Southern Alabama, and spend some time and spread some of your knowledge and information.
Maybe some day and I really appreciate that!
Love this clover rotation strategy.
Fits right into my herd building goals. Thanks Jeff
It’s scary how good your timing has been this season. Just checked my clover plot and it’s doing well but was considering adding fall rye in mid August (northern Minnesota) but reading your side comments the clover will smoother/shade the rye out. That would have been an epic fail. Thanks Jeff. Really enjoying your excitement with the new property. You’re like a kid at Xmas. All the best.
Thanks I'm like a sponge and you are definitely the waterfall my eyes are killing me from watching so many of your videos and preciate all the information
Fantastic information. Happy Father's day and God bless you and your family.
This is a tough one for me. I agree completely with this and I know this is strictly about whitetail, but I'll always have a clover spot for my turkeys. Even though I don't need it for my deer, spring turkey hunts over my clover are typically successful. Thanks Jeff for another great video
One of the best videos on the internet for Food Plots. Thanks Jeff.
Great information Jeff, glad I found this video 👍🏻
Thanks a lot, you are very welcome!!
Thanks for the vertical mock scrape tip I put up several on my property and they are working wel
That's great to hear Joseph...enjoy them, I sure do!
Very helpful information. Planned on frost seeding clover for a cover crop this fall.
Thanks Ragnar, hope the video helps!
This is my second summer with no summer planted food plots. I’m seeing almost no does and fawns our and about on my property. The ag fields around me are populated like always in the evenings. I’m enjoying watching the change and excited about the potential results. Thanks as always. Ksf
I wish I could show you the pictures of my clover plots! Just so perfect
I’m trying to do some good info on winter rye,oats and clover.This year I am amazed how this 4 acre field is still staying super super green and the oats are,and we have had several heavy frosts.I am going to change my plots this coming season with clover,rye and oats.I really like your info on plots.
I think it's funny you guys have to plant clover. In NC where I am, I can't stop clover from growing and deer don't seem to care about it. Good luck and hunting.
Jeff is the best most trust worthy authority on deer habitat.
I'm by no means an expert on food plots but I have found that clover is a Great late season food source. I planted 2 acres of imperial whitetail clover and I had deer in November like never before. It stayed green and lush very late and the deer love it. They pawed away at it and the turnips right into January.
My little girl (12yrs old) is OBSESSED with your videos and trying to learn how to hunt. She said her dream is to come hunt with you if you're ever hunting in the Ohio area.
She says "she wants to learn all the tips and tricks from someone with some sense!" Lol
"someone with some sense", lol...my wife is sitting right next to me and laughed pretty hard at that 😁 Tell her that really means a lot to me...and also great luck this season!! Made my morning 👍
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 The moment I knew she was really hooked on your videos:
We're getting ready to head out back into our blind. We're not even 10 steps out of the garage door and she bolts stiff as a board in front of me, so naturally I stop... She turns around and says in the nastiest whisper I've ever heard from her, "daddy, I hate to pull a Jeff on you, but you're gonna have to quiet down your clunky footsteps and roll your foot, or there's aint gonna be no deer left to hunt!" 😠
Yeah, I knew right then and there that she's been watching your videos hard! Hahaha
Good luck to you guys this upcoming season too! Thanks so much for the good content with great tips and advice. Just know you're making a much bigger impact on people's lives than you know.
I planted clover for my very first food plot just because it gave me instant gratification and actually pulled in a couple of does. But what really loved it were the wabbits! One word...SWEET BABY RAY'S!!!
I love these videos! I watch them religiously. I have a 10 acre parcel with a 1 acre food plot, some good bedding area, and I butt up to 40 acres. I watch your videos and do my best to incorporate your advice into my situation. If you have ever worked on parcels of my size I’d love to hear how you managed them.
Love the four leafer at 8:04
Jeff I’ve looked thru all your videos don’t see anything on fruit trees in or around food plots. I see apple tree attraction. Could you do video on good and bad of fruit trees around plots or even video on what you think of planting fruit trees on your property thank you
Yes,herd building.we want does hitting our food plot.food plots taking off ,recent camera shows 4 does 2 bucks,last night.what we need to know is can we mow ,for weeds with a brassica clover mix.other 1/2 of 1 acre field is mostly brassica.can we mow and not wreck the brassica?seems like more rye from last years late plant.
Hey Jeff... Your content is awesome. I am back for another round of feed plots. I am 50 years old this year and I have tried it all to some success and a lot of fails. My feed plots originally failed for not doing a soil sample... solved that... then I planted and only saw a lot of does (doe factory). Choosing of the right crops... I love the no-till method ... will plant buckwheat this year. I tilled because I had to this year but plan for this to be the last year. I did half with peas, oats, and beans... other half with radish and turnips. I did not notice until later that you planted the brassica side at different times than the side of the peas. I hunt in Florida... maybe your are unaware but you have followers in the south. Whenever possible could you give suggestions for the deep south hunters as well. You have renewed my excitement for the new season. Oh.. almost forgot.. I will be planting switchgrass as a screening method... I have set for almost 45 minutes waiting for deer to leave my feed plot... that is excruciating and you never really know if they are gone... you listen and then hope for the best....
update Jeff... My plot is getting hammered... not only have they demolished the peas and beans side... but they have done the same to the turnip and radish side. I applied 100 pounds of winter rye this weekend and will do so again in 3 weeks as your prescribed in another blog. How do you feel about the electric fencing in order to get the plot up to size before allowing the deer to graze? Are there negatives to doing this? I assume you do not recommend this because I have not heard you mention this as an option.
Perennial plots are much tougher. It takes very little rain 4 weeds to be prolific here on sand soil in MN. On 1 plot here I didnt get a cover crop in early enough in April due to hot weather. The consequences were I mowed weeds all summer. In a nearby plot I planted buckwheat to support 🐝 & drown out the weeds. 3 years later I have a great 🍀/real brassica that is a foot tall with white everywhere from the new & old white & ladino blooming. I did add seed by early spring cuz I have lots of rainfall last fall which was the elixir. Next year in the other plot after getting a good pumpkin crop for deer which is grown in the fringes of buckwheat on the exterior I should be able to plant a plot w/o weeds. It all depends on the moisture content.
Good tip on the chicory. I always thought the chicory was more 4 turkeys but having something around other than brassica to help 🍀 getting established is always an ace in the hole.
Great info. Grew up in Calumet been in Montana for the last 20. Both tough growing seasons, but hope to have a field planted this year.
Jeff, been farming long? What's your yield/acre? Oh, 'bout 3 150" inchers per 40 acres!
Ha, love it...good way to look at it 😁
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Thanks Jeff. I’ll be planting half of my plots in sweet feast blend and the other half with winter rye. Last year brassicas got hammered so saved the plot with winter rye. Should I consider fencing the brassica portion?
Thank you for the clover lesson Jeff. Looks like you have a good looking, fun new playground out in Minnesota too! Congrats and good luck out there.
Welcome to Minnesota.
Thank you very much Mark!
Homestead?? You live closer to where I hunt than I do! Congrats on your upcoming move! If you need a tile guy for your place I’m happy to help!
Jeff , I have ran into 3 guys now that are planting Pumpkin 🎃 for food plots because "deer just love them" would love to hear your opinion on this. Great clover video BTW . I don't think you give clover enough love, here in WNY zone 6A my imperial clover is still green in November December even under the snow. It has to be the most effective efficient planting . mowing and frost seeding can yield a tv quality plot for >5yr
Hi Doug...pumpkins can work but there are a lot better options like corn. You also need to have green to establish a pattern of use in late August and September.
I like clover in locations where herd building needs to take place thru Summer doe fawning residency. But even then there are better, more attractive options like soy beans. However in most areas the Summer food contributes to high doe numbers/low buck numbers. Even on my land in MN they used beans to build a solid Summer buck herd and deer herd in general, but then the beans were gone early and they lacked the power to hold bucks. You can always find better volume than clover during the hunting season and you avoid the Summer doe factory risks. I used clover for 15 years extensively. Originated various clover rotations with cool season annual combo plantings in the 90s and published the results in the Quality Whitetails magazine in the mid 2000s. But, I had enough experience to realize that there are far better options and haven't really planted clover other than for soil building plow down options...for roughly 12 years now. I do recommend clover occasionally to clients when it fits...maybe 10 clients out of 120 per year? But my goal is to design a food plot program that will fit the best for them and provide the most explosive, high level qualities...clover doesn't fit to often. Which is why I just burned down roughly 7 acres of clover and alfalfa on my new land and am replacing with corn and Switchgrass in those areas. The perennials were holding the previous landowner back on this land...can't wait to see the changes this Fall ☺️ Clover is a fit at times...but even then there are far better high volume options with a higher power of attraction in the Fall, nearly all of the time. Coming from someone who managed clover on a professional level for a long time...up to 8 acres per year in just 1 parcel. Let's out it this way...if my neighbors all have clover this year...they will rarely see a mature buck during the daylight. They don't because the know better, but just saying...
Whitetail Habitat Solutions Jeff how do you plan on planting your corn? Broadcast or drill?
Ok are season opener is September 12 here in NC when would you recommend planting to not make a doe factory? Now I have just small kill plots the property is super thick and only using the plots to get deer to move through a certain place. And to draw them out of the thick cover for a shot..
What cover you spread over 1/4 acre or so of soybean field...would still be there after
They are picked..if farmer is good with it..winter rye..maybe spread late...THANK...GREAT INFO
Jeff, this is an amazing video. The one thing that came to mind right off the bat is if i were to walk through that buckwheat in MD in june or july to spread seed I would be destroyed by chiggers they are horrible here and ticks. MD has 3rd highest limes disease rate in the world last I checked. Could I lay it down, spread seed, then re cultipack? Thank you so much for your response
I wonder if you have advice for planting S. W. Kentuky. I spend a whole Sunday bench watching, and listening to your channel. So I'm thinking I have being going the wrong way. I have 81acres in N. Logan county Kentuky. Unfortunately, I'm a Florida resident so time is very limited. I was hoping you could advise on best way to plant something. Hope it is not too much of a loaded question. Great channel thank you.
Jeff,
Firstly I think you make some awesome videos. You're knowledgeable and experienced in the field.
My family's farm is in South Alabama towards the Florida line. Most of your videos are based with references to the UP, Ohio and Rust Belt.
My question is do you have any videos that cover our sub tropical and Piedmont regions?
I'm blessed to have great family land that's been passed down. I grew up hunting it and have taken many good deer over the years. Just looking for some trusted info or sources.
Have a good day.
Thanks for all your videos! We have a clover/chicory field that I want to be able to plant cool season crops in without killing out the clover. If we plan our last mowing around August, can I broadcast my cool season annuals in the standing clover just before mowing and hope the mowing acts as a mulch to help germinate/protect the seed?
Love your info. I'm wondering if its possible 2 broadcast peas and soybeans and just cultipack then in without buckwheat?
Hi Bradley no it is not possible. It is if you disc them into the ground and then cultipack, but the buckwheat takes the place of that, builds the soil, aids in moisture retention, combats erosion and smothers weed growth. Still time to get buckwheat in the ground! I am planting mine today in WI and MN...
Thanks
Love your work. You should do a video on BIG man hunting. I'm 350+ pounds, bow hunting is really difficult. Any suggestions? Other than lose weight.
Hi Justin tha k you and I would have never said lose weight! But, man what do you struggle with the most...getting into the woods, climbing into stands?
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I am using 2 man ladder stands hunting solo. No matter how I have brushed them in I can't stay hidden. I switched to shooting seated at your recommendation and that has helped. But when I am waiting for non shooters to pass , I get busted alot, and they are upwind of me.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 also using clean clothes and your recommendation for dressing before walking in. I can fill gun tags, but even with water holes and vine mock scrapes only does and young bucks. The 4+ year old bucks will turn 50 yards out and go around me. With a gun, he done, with a bow, it's like he is saying "I'm here, and you can't reach me. Lol
Love your videos. One question I have had regards the overseeding you do during the ultimate no till method. You use Rye as an overseed later on. My question is have you ever tried an annual clover with or in stead of rye? The benefit in my mind would be the nitrogen fixing potential of the clover.
Thank you Jeff! This is confusing to me but i think i have a good idea of what i am going to plant and how to approach it. Have you ever used clover and fescue?
Jeff, I have a few clover plots that were drilled with clover and rye this Spring (the rye was used to slow the seed rate down when planting through the drill). The clover and rye are looking great are coming in great. My question is should I leave the rye in the plot to help shade the clover when the heat comes and to help with grazing pressure or should I sprayer to kill the rye sometime this summer?
I enjoy your vids, and listening to your knowledge. Being from WI, sometimes I come up with crazy ideas, people sneer at me. Then I see a new vid by you, and there it is, confirmation I'm on the right track.
One of the challenges with plots is that I can only get up to the land a couple times before hunting season, and only a few times during season to clobber one. Your vids have helped me maximize my time. TY
PS, I hope you're not defecting to become a vikings fan?
Great video, I don't recall having seen one on clover before. Looking forward to see how you incorporate corn (and beans?) into your new property and designs - is the corn/beans a destination beyond the greens, or side-by-side with the greens (field into thirds, not just halves of fall grain/greens)? Please show layouts in addition to the audio/video.... THANKS!
Jeff I’m in northern Minnesota, my 160 acres is predominantly woods, a few small openings and some wide spots in a recent logging trail I can plant. Since browse is covered from the recent aspen cut should I forgo clover and just plant rye every year in these spots for fall and winter food? I just spread the recommendation for lime to bring the ph to 6.5. I was planning to plant rye and clover at the end of the summer.
Jeff, we are starting a food plot in southern Ohio that’s about .35 of an acre in the middle of the woods with thicket and a water source around. Great pictures so far. We have 10,000 sq ft of brassica’s to plant. Thinking of surrounding the 10k sq ft of brassica with clover so that the pressure is low until the clover is not as effective after frost. Depending on your opinion, we could just plant 100% clover and mix winter rye in there as well, forgetting the brassica. What do you think?
I'm planting my first food plot I'm in southern mn when should I plant and what should I plant all new to this
Can you mix in with the “winter Rye” either tiller radish, brassica, or winter peas
Hi Jeff, love all your videos and all the great information you put out! I am settling on my first property located in the northeast next week. It is 27 acres that is all woods that has surrounding fields on the neighbors properties. There is a clearing in the middle of my property that is roughly 2 acres and I want to put a plot in it. What would you recommend to plant? I plan on adding a few vertical mock scrapes next week and a watering hole on a major path from the neighbors property as well as getting some cameras out to start logging the deer activity. I know there are a lot of big deer in this area and hope to get things set up in time for the upcoming season. Thanks!
in a new farm setup with a 10 acre old ag field how do you decide how much to covert to switch grass versus how much to keep for food plots?
I’m in north Mississippi and I’m wondering what kind of clover is the best for my area that will last through part of the winter and I’m gonna mix it with wheat
Putting the pieces together, your linear food plot design is best for my property layout. I want to keep the plots identical throughout my property so that I can isolate the deer movement. Do you suggest your buckwheat no-till throughout with just brassicas? I would guess that you wouldn't split long linear plots in half brassica and half clover and or grains due to being more narrow.
You need need to specify in aloy of your videos that roughly 90% of the methods you preach apply to northern US regions. The things you try to teach will work okish where I'm from in a few small areas and some will put you behind the curve big time!
I know you said in this video or another one maybe both that you only use 24d in with glysophate first spray early in the spring. But say now it's almost June I am just getting in to spray and I wanna use 24d close to where I want to plant. How close is to close what is that safe zone I can use 24d close to that buckwheat I'm planting early June
Do you have a video that covers Deer food plots for the fall and turkeys in the spring?
What are some good products or practices for weed control ?
Love the videos Jeff I hunt in Northern Macomb County
Watch his no till videos, good info on there. He uses 41% glyphosate mixes. I used for first time this year, it works!
Summer time food plots may not be needed up north but down south in these piney Alabama woods, they are much needed.
Once I have a clover plot established can I put a cover crop like rye on it yearly for over winter. South central indiana.
Hi Robert you can not. The clover shades out the rye and kills it ...same with any other seed. You have to kill the clover or throw seed down when it is already eaten down to the dirt so soil is exposed
Thank you so much
Mr Sturgis, what would you suggest for a TN hunter that is just starting into his management plan. I have not done a soil sample yet and I know that is step 1. What would my target dates be for this area? I am trying to support and enrich both the deer herd and the turkey flocks. I have had success with clover in the past so I would like to incorporate it also. Going to try out the Buckwheat no till method. Any help would be appreciated. Thanx
Jeff seems to be northern focused. What works in the north doesn’t always work in the south. There’s some key differences. I would check with your local experts and university wildlife biology deer experts.
So would you do the same thing by mixing a grain in with clover, if it’s just a small plot like less than an acre?
If you split your food plots with a brassica blend and oats/peas type mix and want to incorporate corn do you replace the oats/peas side with corn in a rotation or maybe split a plot into thirds?
So can I plant the clover and rye and brassica at the same time late summer
No...the rye needs to be planted about 4 to 6 weeks later than the brassica. Clover can be planted with either...
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 great thanks I love all your content it has helped me alot own my property in north Carolina and as a hunter in general thank y'all
Are you able to plant corn using the no till method?
Very marginal...not to a very high level of satisfaction
Hi Jeff, love all the vids and great info you provide! Thanks! I live in southeast Mi, but have 80 acres in the U.P. (zip code 49913) with my brothers. We have a challenge... too much swamp, and the high ground is very sandy with low PH (put a ton of lime on our 2 acres of food plots last year and plan more every year for awhile). Plan also to clear and make more foodplots. Soil very poor, so did rye last fall with Northwoods Sweet Feast brassica blend on other half, and planted buckwheat this spring. What kind of clover for sandy soil? Or again as you said... just go with a blend? Will the clover blend plus chicory that John has at Northwoods Whitetails work for sandy soils?
Thanks again,
Mik
What’s best to plant on clay based soil, my friend lives in central Pennsylvania and basically that’s where he can only plant
So if I really wanted to help grow a herd, I could plant clover and chicory mix in spring, then add brassica mix to the plot in early august? Or do I have to pick one or the other, meaning clover/chicory in spring OR clover/brassica in fall?
Hi Eric! If you have to choose 1 or the other...always choose Fall 1st as a huge priority.
1 thing I recommend in herd building is to plant the entire plot system in a clover mix (the chicory doesn't add too much), and then take 1/2 and plant a brassica/clover blend in the Fall. You have to till and replant tho...or spray and wait appxomately 4 weeks. However, you can not plant the brassica straight into the clover unless the brassica is weed free and doing poorly with enough exposed soil.
I discuss those rotations quite a bit in my 2014 food plot book.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thank you very much! I loved your Whitetail Success by Design book. I will have to pick up that one as well! First year doing any sort of land/herd management and you've certainly been a great inspiration and mentor along the way.
Jeff what would be good to get on the ground for deer if I missed the earlier corn/bean planting dates, and it’s not going to be cold enough for clover for our opener in September, what do you recommend?
Soooo... do you think I should mow my clover and over seed with brassicas in August? I have small plots about 30yd x 20yd. Unfortunately I didn't find you channel until after I planted clover. I was just planting brassicas and raddish, just wanted to try something perennial, maybe was a mistake?
In most areas there are a dozen plantings that will help you and the herd more in the Fall, than clover. BUT, you would have to kill the clover now and make sure the area allows for good seed to soil contact. Just seeding into mowed clover will not allow the brassica to find enough sunlight to grow. It has to be tilled, killed or both depending on the timing of your first kill.
Her is my opinion... given the size of your plot, the deer are most likely "mowing" your plot for you. If you see growth as high as 8 inches, I would mow. Anything less that that, I would not mow.
Wow did you get a new camera? The video looks more crisp and clear
Did you get a new camera? Quality/color looks great!
Same cameras and lenses but Dylan does his thing well! I was back away from the camera in this shot and that helps to add depth and color too...
Love it 👏
What's your take on just hard woods and pines for a mile sq. Wood you say corns, peas would be better than clover and alfalfa?
Good man.
Can you plant brassica and clover at exact same time on your lined/prepared plot bed? Asking from mid Ohio
For sure...I won't ramble on with any details, been doing it for over 20 years 👍
Whitetail Habitat Solutions cool looking forward to trying it thank you
Works very well!
What would you reccomend to seed into alfalfa food plots for the fall? Looking to keep alfalfa stand year to year.
Without a decent amount of discing there is really nothing that you can seed into alfalfa. Alfalfa is also an extremely poor choice for whitetails in about 95% of all situations...but again tho whether it is alfalfa or clover there isn't anything you can seed into either without some dirt work. Even then you only end up with a partial crop going into Fall.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 good to know, currently renting out the alfalfa to a farmer so will have to look elsewhere. Great content Jeff
Whitetail Habitat Solutions Why is alfalfa an extremely poor choice for whitetails?
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How many acres is the new Minnesota farm?
178 Acres...got extremely lucky!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 That's awesome congratulations
Thanks again Jeff.
can you plant winter rye and clover at the same time in the fall in NE PA?
What you like more oats or Rye ? Or mix it ?
Can I plant cover crop at the same time I plant my clover?
Hey Jeff I'm in northeast Ohio I want to plant oats and clover would that work in September ?
what is clover ?
how to make good use
tnx
Would I be wasting my time to make a tiny food plot of like a quarter acre I only have 8 to play with. Dont mind the work to do it if helpful. I have a small opening in the woods that I can take just a couple more trees out for plenty of sun that bottlenecks to an ag field from a thicket that they bed in.
When does your online class start? I can't find it on the website
Did anyone catch why and who should plant clover?
How could someone give this a thumbs down. Seems to be the same people on all the videos that give it a thumbs down. Those people suck, must be all the Peta people.
14:25… just a pet bird coming in
So what would you recommend I do? I hunt in central Ohio, and just found out a few days ago that the farmer will not be planting any crops this year where I hunt. I plan on spraying for the first time asap (probably Monday, June 22). Can I get by this year by spraying twice about a month apart and planting in the fall, without planting buckwheat? I hope to have 4-5 acres of food plot total. This is my first time trying to plant any food plots, so I want to make sure I get it right...
Am I the only one with property in southern Ky that’s like “man these months don’t apply here”
How can I get in touch with you other than here on TH-cam?
This guy is so intelligent he rambles on robotically, my ass can’t follow i start daydreaming
Lol...is this my wife?
Whitetail Habitat Solutions lmao don’t take it as insulting, your intellect let’s you speak about this stuff like an everyday conversation, it’s impressive
I will say I really enjoy the videos and the no till method you are teaching. But I guess I’m a little confused here, you have stated in a previous video that corn isn’t good for the deer and hard for them to digest, even going on to say that it could kill deer in a hard winter. But now your planting corn to get them through the winter? Like previously stated I enjoy the no till methods you use, but in the video you talk about killing and discing the two year old clover. I’m guessing with it being a perennial your afraid that it will be resilient to the chemicals?
What type of clover is your go to clover?
I like blends for clients because often folks don't match their soil conditions to the variety. Ladino is great...with great soil. Alsike for wet. Med red for a quick till under crop.
For me personally...I haven't planted clover in many years.
I found an 8 leaf clover
How lucky is that? 😊
This video is about clover, then not about clover, then its not the best at all? I get it. If your deer don't need it then don't plant it. I think for the average deer property mgr. clover is awesome. Food source in April to Oct (late march to early Dec in the mid south where i am in NC), low maintainence, just mow, withstands heavy browsing, just mow, no plow and you get 3-5 years and can seed in the winter with a hand seeder. My buck and does love clover, but my areas are mostly big forested areas with lot of acorns and mast, so corn not needed so much. When you not sure what to do with a food plot at first, then clover. Clover is always my base, then brassics and legumes rotated as time and budget permits. But, clover is just plain good and I can show you lots of monster bucks feeding on secluded clover as they leave the heavy cover and woods head to the corn for the evening also on my iowa lease i get every 2 years in October and november.
He keeps saying that deer have enough food during the summer cause of all the ag around. All the scouting ive done around my area and all the pics I get are skinny deer that I can see there ribs during the summer so it's hard to believe they have enough food with the farmers when there skinny.
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I enjoy your videos, but you sure do ramble on too much!
Some people like depth...some just like the fluff 🙂 I try to offer a balance as best I can...