Establishment of Wildlife Food Plots Mark Landefeld OSU Extension Educator Monroe County

Establishing Wildlife Food Plots What are your goals? Do you like working with the land? Do you want to attract/see more wildlife? Do you want to provide more food for wildlife? Is your purpose to grow bigger antlers? Other goals?

Questions You Should Answer What specie of wildlife do you hope to attract? What is the deer population per square mile in the area? How much naturally occurring food is already available? What kind and how many agricultural crops are currently grown?

Questions (cont’d) Do you expect to harvest wildlife from your plot? Do you just want to view/photograph wildlife? What equipment will it take to prepare, install and maintain the plot? How long do you expect to maintain the plots?

Questions (cont’d) How much work do you plan to do in future years to maintain the plot? How much money are you willing to spend now? In the future? When do you want the feed available? Are your neighbors trying to eradicate the wildlife you are trying to attract?

Food Plot Size Factors to consider Deer density More deer requires larger plots/more plots 2-5 acres to minimize plant injury Less populated areas Less than 2 acres may be sufficient Hunting situations ¼ to ½ acre plots may be ideal Sunlight is critical

Food Plot Size (cont’d) Supplying food in late winter requires larger plots, 1 acre minimum usually Management level Intensely managed 1-1.5 % Or 7-10 acres/sq. mile Average maintenance 5% Or 25-30 acres/sq. mile

Food Plot Shape Which is better? Create an “Edge” Nice and square or long wavy and narrow Hunting with a Bow, Gun or Camera Create an “Edge” Edges influence wildlife movement Soft edge Created by planting shrubs, vines or low story vegetation

Food Plot Shape Logging roads Remember, plants need sunlight Maximizes “edge effect” Remember, plants need sunlight Cut tall trees back 50 feet Manipulate tree tops near game trails

Habitat Stages 1= Bare ground, very little vegetation 2= Weedy fields with tall grasses 3= Brushy stage with low shrubs 4= Young woodland that is dense 5= Mature woods open undrestory

Correct Habitat Can’t hold wildlife without it! Wildlife all need: Food Water Cover (habitat) Provide all 3 together Wildlife magnet

Habitat (cont’d) Human presence can reduce the effect of great habitat Sanctuary may be needed (Whitetail) Research indicates 25% 3-5 acre blocks minimum Dense and thick is best

Sanctuaries Strategic placement if hunting Multiple sanctuaries Account for prevailing wind Entry ways to and from hunting spots Multiple sanctuaries Large sanctuaries if space is available

Encourage Natural Foods Most often overlooked by most landowners Raspberries, blackberries, multiflora rose, apples, crabapples, sumac, elderberries, honeysuckle, grape vines etc… Releasing crop trees Mast producing Apple

Important Investment What is the most important investment for holding deer on your property? Chain saw and safety equipment!

Feed Consumption What will deer eat? Primary foods-Those chosen when adequate supply exists Secondary-Those chosen when most primary supplies are gone – regularly consumed Lastly-Starvation/Filler foods – things eaten to keep from starving

Feed Consumption (cont’) How much does a deer eat? 3-4% of their body weight per day on a dry matter (DM) basis 150 lb. x 0.04 = 6 lbs. of dry forage 6 lb. ÷ 30% DM = 20 lbs. standing forage ±2000 lbs. DM per year 6000 – 8000 lbs. standing forage/year

Feed Consumption (cont’d) What protein level is needed for maximum production? Cook and Gray, 2003 said 16% minimum for Bucks Heavy lactating Does up to 24% Does Palatability & Digestibility matter? Quality deteriorates as plants mature Clipping or bush-hogging may be necessary to maintain high quality

Questions?