Food Plots Without Planting

Have you ever noticed that the first plants to return in a plowed, scraped, or otherwise disturbed area are weeds? Exposed to air, light, and water, seeds that were lying dormant in the soil begin to germinate following soil disturbance. These young, succulent plants are high in nutrient value and attract a variety of wildlife species, particulary white-tailed deer.

Disturbed sites can also serve as excellent food plot locations to supplement native diets during the stressful late winter or late summer periods.

Food plots are created by plowing an area followed by seeding with either native or introduced forages. Food plots typically serve two distinct purposes: attractant or supplement, as determined by the landowner’s ranch objectives. Plots planted, as supplement should provide year-round forage (winter-fall food plots and spring-summer food plots) for a variety of wildlife species, therefore mixtures are preferred.

Most importantly, plots should be seasonal, accessible, and of appropriate size and shape to adequately supplement the deer herd. However, an important thing to keep in mind about plots: Food plots should not be used to increase a white-tailed deer population to a level that cannot be supported by the native habitat.