Its started

I got the 2 plots at home mowed so they can dry out. I was very tempted to try turning some dirt, but its just a bit early

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I think that looks dry enough to turn…
DT

deertracker wrote:

I think that looks dry enough to turn…
DT

How about this. I don’t think I’ll be working dirt anytime soon.

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I couldn’t resist, had to turn them

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Other plot

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Looks amazing!

I don’t hunt but isn’t that like hunting over a pile of apples and corn? Do these plots attract the big trophy’s? Is this about big bucks or meat for the freezer?

eyeguy507 wrote:

I don’t hunt but isn’t that like hunting over a pile of apples and corn? Do these plots attract the big trophy’s? Is this about big bucks or meat for the freezer?

Here’s the easy answer…

Not even close, sometimes but usually not and yes to both.
DT

My buddy just texted me from up where I hunt. They got 18 inches of snow.
DT

is it that hard to attract deer in parts of the state? I bet I counted a dozen dead in SE MN in a 40 mile stretch of I90 today. maybe you should set up near there? We have hundreds within 10 miles of our property south of Rochester. I wish I could have walleyes stacked up that thick!

deertracker wrote:

My buddy just texted me from up where I hunt. They got 18 inches of snow.
DT

That’s going to set you back a few days

It all depends where you are. Deer densities in SE Minnesota are so high compared to NE Minnesota that you have to experience it to believe it. I turkey hunt near Frontenac and see stupid numbers of deer in the spring. I deer hunt 45 miles north of Duluth and it’s a whole different ball game. Deer densities in the northern woods are so comparatively low that it is ridiculous. Also, planting food plots up where we are would be an incredible amount of work. It’s all poplar/jack pine woods, tag alder swamp and pine bogs. Clearing land to be able to till would be a multiyear project unless you hire someone with heavy equipment to come in and do the work.

The good news is that we have consistently good grouse and woodcock hunting.

eyeguy507 wrote:

I don’t hunt but isn’t that like hunting over a pile of apples and corn? Do these plots attract the big trophy’s? Is this about big bucks or meat for the freezer?

No, it’s nothing like hunting over a bait pile. That’s a common misconception.

Food plots are small agricultural fields. Deer use them the same way they use any other field that has food available.

Just as you will seldom catch a big buck out in the middle of a picked corn field during firearms season, the same applies to food plots. Mr. Big didn’t get that way by presenting easy shots to hunters.

I can also tell you from my bow hunting experience, a deer in a food plot is no less wary and cagy than a deer anywhere else. No deer have been harmed…

eyeguy507 wrote:

is it that hard to attract deer in parts of the state?

I do plots to feed the deer as close to year around as I can to maximize their chances of winter survival. Yes in southern MN life is easy for deer and winter kill seldom if ever is an issue. Different story in the north where one winter can easily kill 30 or more percent of an areas deer.

Grouse

eyeguy507 wrote:

is it that hard to attract deer in parts of the state? I bet I counted a dozen dead in SE MN in a 40 mile stretch of I90 today. maybe you should set up near there? We have hundreds within 10 miles of our property south of Rochester. I wish I could have walleyes stacked up that thick!

Maybe this will put a little more perspective on this.

You’re a walleye fisherman. And while you could fish out of an industrial pond stocked and managed for walleye catching a fish with every cast, wouldn’t you rather fish in beautiful Lake of the Woods with its backdrop, lodges, challenging structure, comaraderie of fellow anglers, and overall experience?