Here is my foot plot plan for 2013. Any opinions what I should do differently?
Clover = purple
Corn plots= solid yellow
Harvested corn= yellow outline
Beans = green
Orchard= orange
Sanctuary= red
Limited sanctuary= light blue
I really like the sanctuary concept. I two areas totaling 11 acres that I did on my farm. Can not say enough how important it is that they have a “safety area”. When I cut any trees in those areas, I create more bedding areas with the tree tops. I like piles that are up to about 8′ high, 10 or so feet wide and 20 feet long. I have these scattered out in my sanctuary areas and they love bedding amongst those tops. Especially when they been pushed a few times.
As for food sources, I would add a couple good sugar/carbohydrates for the early freeze time of the fall. I’m sure Bob will toss in some great info. They pound that in my plots just after the first hard freeze
Thanks for the input, I have planted brassica the last 4 years, but got burnt the last 2 years with dry weather and nothing grew. I hate having an empty plot all winter long so I was going to skip the brassica this year. I may change my mind though 
I’m going to try a seed I found that is spring planted brassicas. Not sure what’s going to happen, but it’s worth a try.
Kooty, I would be careful about planting a mix with rye grass in it. Winter rye is a grain that they love, but some rye grasses even though they are called annuals come back year after year and not even round up(gly) will get rid of them. I have a couple buddies who planted a mix with rye grass and they can’t get rid of it with tilling, , discing or spraying. FYI
Thanks for the advice. I’ll pose your questions to them and see what I get for a response.
The plan looks pretty well thought out. would you consider moving your santuary to the center of the property? I like to keep the deer centered on my property. (keeps them from wandering to neighboring farms during daylight hours) I call this “time management for Bucks” The placement of your plots would actually work out better if the bedding areas were centered. You can build a santuary by the use of hinge cutting and actually building bedding areas specific to bucks or doe groups. once this is complete all thats left is to secure the bedding areas.. again by the use of hinge cutting. as far as what you plant we know that corn and soybeans are an excellent late season draw and that the clover is a good early season food source. I really like to add a winter wheat and oats combination for an all season draw/ high protien food source. I spent 15 years trying to find the “magic bean” it was only when I gave the Bucks a secure place to loaf around and bed where they felt safe that we started to see mature bucks year round. If done properly the deer numbers will actually increase during the hunting season 
Bob, I really appreciate the input. As far as moving the sanctuary to the center, the problem is that is where the cabin is. If you look close center of the big field just to the north you can see the cabin. This is a multi use property that has activity at least 9 months of the year and a lot of that traffic is near the cabin. I established the sanctuary 6 years ago in that location to keep it away from the cabin, but near the main food source. On the north and east side of the sanctuary is a lake, so it is not an area where the deer travel. To the north west is an open ag field. So to feel safe leaving the sanctuary during day light they pretty much have to go west or south. Knowing this would you still move the sanctuary to the center?
I like the idea of adding wheat or oats 
Quote:
Bob, I really appreciate the input. As far as moving the sanctuary to the center, the problem is that is where the cabin is. If you look close center of the big field just to the north you can see the cabin. This is a multi use property that has activity at least 9 months of the year and a lot of that traffic is near the cabin. I established the sanctuary 6 years ago in that location to keep it away from the cabin, but near the main food source. On the north and east side of the sanctuary is a lake, so it is not an area where the deer travel. To the north west is an open ag field. So to feel safe leaving the sanctuary during day light they pretty much have to go west or south. Knowing this would you still move the sanctuary to the center?
I like the idea of adding wheat or oats
Knowing now that the deer can’t be pressured from that side of the sanctuary I agree. leave it where it’s at Just remind the other people that this area is off limits after June 1st and you will be fine.
Ok, thanks. Believe me when I tell you EVERYONE that sets foot on the property knows not to set one single foot in the sanctuary unless tracking a wounded deer(only at night) or on the one time we make a single pass through in March to shed hunt and review for more hinge cutting.
I have modified my plan a little. I moved the beans(green) to a different plot that has had corn in it for 4 years straight. I also added brassica(dark blue) in place of where I had some corn. I like to have plenty of corn for late season and winter food source, but I may have gotten a little carried away with the corn
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