On the land that I have permission to hunt they have a field planted down in oats. A couple of nice bucks have been hitting the oats late this summer. How long will they keep hitting the oats before they switch to a different food? Do you think I would be able to hunt it later into the fall season? I was thinking about leaving a strip standing on the edge if they will keep using it. What do you think? Thanks.
Jason Erlandson
Normally when the oats start to head out(produce the oats), the deer will find a more palatable food source. We plant our cereal grain food plots in August/Sept so they are new growth for the hunting season. They are much more palatable during their early growth period and provide high levels of carbohydrates for the fall/winter which deer love. You may be able to mow it, never tried doing that before but it may help.
In this area anyway, farmers will seed alfalfa with their spring seeded oats so when they take off the oats, the alfalfa will take over the field and remain for 2 or 3 years. If this is the case where you’re at – it could be a nice field to hunt by.
In this field they have half of it in oats and the other half in corn. I may just set up on the edge of the corn. I’m thinking that should be good once the colder weather sets in. We’ll see I guess.
Jason Erlandson
wheat and oats are awsome hunting till the snow come IF they dont round up OR till it. The grain regrowth is very attracting to whitetails, just like a fall planted food plot. Takes a while for it to get growing but when it does you will see deer in the feild . Good luck!
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