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How to make a large plot better?
#3024724
01/27/20 12:16 PM
01/27/20 12:16 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618 Santa Rosa/Conecuh
hallb
OP
Booner
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OP
Booner
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618
Santa Rosa/Conecuh
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Just got this new property a year ago, so this year is the first year for us to hunt it and manage it. Have done a bunch of work all year, plots are looking great, deer numbers seem really good, lots of bucks of all sizes/age, good sightings while hunting especially over the last couple of weeks, trigger has only been pulled twice, one was a accident button buck and the other was a 7 point that was too young by a guest. The whole property we are hunting is about 440 acres. We have this one plot that is much bigger than the others, total size is around 5 acres and have around 3 acres of that planted. I thought for sure this was going to be a really good spot, but it has turned out to be the spot where there are the fewest sightings while hunting. Getting some night pictures at the feeder, but doesn't seem as consistent as the others, not as many doe groups visiting. You can visibly tell the plot has not been eaten down like many of our other plots. Soil tests were done and limed/fertilized accordingly, planted with same mix of oats/clover/brassicas as all other fields. You can see the box stand in the top center portion of the area and entry is at the very top/northern part of the stand...north is basically the way the view is looking. What can be done to improve this area? I was thinking maybe we should let a big chunk of it grow back up naturally, just try and keep sweet gums out of it, make the planted area smaller and move the stand accordingly. My theory is it has something to do with the proximity to the pond on the property, that if that was a big chunk of woods south of it, it would be much more productive. Hard to tell from the pic, but the creek feeding the pond gets very close to the plot edge at some point, it looks like it would be a good pinch point, but I don't think it's being used like that b/c there are easier places to cross that creek/swampy area. Interested to hear what others have to say.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024750
01/27/20 12:46 PM
01/27/20 12:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 16,822 Banana Republic
jb20
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 16,822
Banana Republic
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I'd let it grow into a sage field and bush hog it once a year and put a feeder by the woods....but then again I don't like green fields ☺
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Ben Franklin
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024751
01/27/20 12:48 PM
01/27/20 12:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,783 Owens Xrds
AUwrestler
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,783
Owens Xrds
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Let a chunk grow thick in natural veg and plant a different blend than the other plots. Like a chickory heavy blend. I think they know that get the same food from other more secure feeling plots so they aren't using that one. Give em something they can't get anywhere else. Soybeans. Chickory, etc.
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore I believe in work, hard work. -George Petrie (1945)
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024754
01/27/20 12:52 PM
01/27/20 12:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,617 Alabama
Rmart30
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,617
Alabama
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I have seen deer go from no sightings in a wide open field for years to letting it grow up on rotating cutting basis and seeing way more deer in it. if it was mine. id go for like a turkey foot shaped shooting lane design. Plant the lanes and let the between parts grow up and rotate each yr which area I cut. Say far left gets cut this yr. middle next yr, and far right 3rd yr. That would keep out unwanted trees from getting too big but lets the other stuff create a screening.
Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching - even when doing the wrong thing is legal. Aldo Leopold .. (except when it comes to trailer tags)
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024808
01/27/20 01:59 PM
01/27/20 01:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,385 South Alabama
bambam32
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,385
South Alabama
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We have field that’s about 3 Acres in the same shape as yours. We hardly ever saw deer in it during daylight. So, we allowed strips of dog fennel to grown up in it and planted between it. The field was basically three sections. The sightings went up and also helped ingress and egress to the stand. This year someone else made the decision to cut he strips. Now sightings are down again this year.
Last edited by bambam32; 01/27/20 01:59 PM.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024854
01/27/20 02:42 PM
01/27/20 02:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,615 Alabama
dirkdaddy
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,615
Alabama
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Biggest issue is you have another food plot 80 yards across the creek. Decrease food plot size in this area overall and the deer will become more competitive over the available food, thus coming out earlier and being forced to use it during daytime. You may have too much food available and they are just using the plots at night and laying up during the day. At the very least the plots need be planted in completely different things to encourage equal usage of both. Or allow one of them to grow completely into sage/bedding area and plant every other or every two years.
Last edited by dirkdaddy; 01/27/20 02:43 PM.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024875
01/27/20 02:57 PM
01/27/20 02:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19 Pensacola, Florida
Fishboy
spike
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spike
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19
Pensacola, Florida
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As mentioned, I think reducing the planted size will help. We planted a 4 acre plot last season, this year we only planted about 1 acre of it 20yds off the tree line and in an odd shape, then mowed a 10ft wide strip kind of diagonal away from the stand location. Leaving 15+yds of grown up natural regen on the edges especially in front of the stand and it’s been a steady draw for deer this year. I think they feel safer and are using the heck out of it.
Last edited by Fishboy; 01/27/20 02:57 PM.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024877
01/27/20 03:00 PM
01/27/20 03:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,238 somewhere around 112.
slippinlipjr
I make Calds fer a livin
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I make Calds fer a livin
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,238
somewhere around 112.
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That's the best candidate for a clear cut I have ever seen. All those pines need to go. Looks like it is wide open under them. You need more cover plain and simple in my opinion.
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z
thesharkguard.com
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: slippinlipjr]
#3024879
01/27/20 03:02 PM
01/27/20 03:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,615 Alabama
dirkdaddy
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,615
Alabama
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That's the best candidate for a clear cut I have ever seen. All those pines need to go. Looks like it is wide open under them. You need more cover plain and simple in my opinion. Yea I had to do a double take on that photo after I gave my suggestion because there is ZERO thickness in there. No sage, no briars, nowhere for the deer to lay around and feel secure. A coyote or predator could be on them with the quickness and silently in that kinda wide open woods and they hate that. Need some trashy areas where predators can't just run free without making a crap ton of noise.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024881
01/27/20 03:02 PM
01/27/20 03:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,177 Eastbound and Down
dead_eye
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,177
Eastbound and Down
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Plant all of it a summer plot and put a protein feeder in it. Once they're used to coming it wont make a difference how its cut or planted.
Last edited by dead_eye; 01/27/20 03:02 PM.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: dirkdaddy]
#3024888
01/27/20 03:10 PM
01/27/20 03:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618 Santa Rosa/Conecuh
hallb
OP
Booner
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OP
Booner
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618
Santa Rosa/Conecuh
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That's the best candidate for a clear cut I have ever seen. All those pines need to go. Looks like it is wide open under them. You need more cover plain and simple in my opinion. Yea I had to do a double take on that photo after I gave my suggestion because there is ZERO thickness in there. No sage, no briars, nowhere for the deer to lay around and feel secure. A coyote or predator could be on them with the quickness and silently in that kinda wide open woods and they hate that. Need some trashy areas where predators can't just run free without making a crap ton of noise. There is only maybe 15 scattered pines total in the whole thing and a few other trash trees, not sure how you "clear cut" something like that or how it would help with cover. I think letting parts of it grow up thicker would help with cover for sure as others have stated.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3024899
01/27/20 03:23 PM
01/27/20 03:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,238 somewhere around 112.
slippinlipjr
I make Calds fer a livin
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I make Calds fer a livin
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,238
somewhere around 112.
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That's the best candidate for a clear cut I have ever seen. All those pines need to go. Looks like it is wide open under them. You need more cover plain and simple in my opinion. Yea I had to do a double take on that photo after I gave my suggestion because there is ZERO thickness in there. No sage, no briars, nowhere for the deer to lay around and feel secure. A coyote or predator could be on them with the quickness and silently in that kinda wide open woods and they hate that. Need some trashy areas where predators can't just run free without making a crap ton of noise. There is only maybe 15 scattered pines total in the whole thing and a few other trash trees, not sure how you "clear cut" something like that or how it would help with cover. I think letting parts of it grow up thicker would help with cover for sure as others have stated. I was talking about the surrounding woods hallb
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z
thesharkguard.com
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: Fuzzy_Bunny]
#3024905
01/27/20 03:32 PM
01/27/20 03:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,049 Montgomery, Alabama
jaredhunts
Puts sugar in his cornbread!
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Puts sugar in his cornbread!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,049
Montgomery, Alabama
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My first thought is to move the stand from the North side if the field. And get it back in some cover. Plant better food and dont blast away. Itll get better.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3025109
01/27/20 07:31 PM
01/27/20 07:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618 Santa Rosa/Conecuh
hallb
OP
Booner
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OP
Booner
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618
Santa Rosa/Conecuh
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The areas adjacent to this plot, we own some of it you see and don't own some of it you see, but have rights to hunt it and we plant it, etc. We do own the whole plot. The property lines are weird right there, basically we share the pond with one other landowner and the property line runs right up the middle of it. We have a guy we know locally that owns a timber management company and he will be helping us make decisions on cutting, thinning, etc. I would love a big ol' cutover too, but I think there is another section of the property that's 40 acres that is a better suited to it and has an immediate need. So really was looking at more of things we can do within the plot, plantings, letting it grow up natural or I like Blumsden's idea too but not sure if that is in the budget, may start it and do something like that over time.
I think we'll probably start by letting a good portion of it grow up and just plant the middle section and move the stand.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: jwalker77]
#3025225
01/27/20 09:03 PM
01/27/20 09:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,143 Ramer
ronfromramer
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,143
Ramer
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Seriously though, id plant the whole 5acres in ironclay peas and see if you can get them coming every day during the summer. Then when the peas play out, should be about acorn drop time, replant in whatever mix you want to. That and keep the corn there for them. I think year round feed is the key. If you are fortunate enough to have a 5 acre plot, plant it. Keep something for deer to eat in it all year, give them a reason to be there, its that simple
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: Gig]
#3025286
01/27/20 09:46 PM
01/27/20 09:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618 Santa Rosa/Conecuh
hallb
OP
Booner
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OP
Booner
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618
Santa Rosa/Conecuh
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Keep in mind that the prevailing winter wind is from the northwest to north so the access and stand should be from the southeast to south. With property like that I would have multiple access points and stands to accommodate any wind. Nice place tho good luck. The way it is now only access is from the north and with trying to keep shot distances reasonable, etc it just made sense to put it where it is now. Honestly though we’ve had probably just as many days where we could hunt this stand as any other one and it is nice to have a stand on those days. I do think it could have two stands.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: ronfromramer]
#3025289
01/27/20 09:48 PM
01/27/20 09:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618 Santa Rosa/Conecuh
hallb
OP
Booner
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OP
Booner
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618
Santa Rosa/Conecuh
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Seriously though, id plant the whole 5acres in ironclay peas and see if you can get them coming every day during the summer. Then when the peas play out, should be about acorn drop time, replant in whatever mix you want to. That and keep the corn there for them. I think year round feed is the key. If you are fortunate enough to have a 5 acre plot, plant it. Keep something for deer to eat in it all year, give them a reason to be there, its that simple Well that was kinda our theory too but didn’t seem to do the trick, maybe I’m being impatient.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3025300
01/27/20 09:55 PM
01/27/20 09:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24,827 Buc-ee’s Beach Express
leroycnbucks
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24,827
Buc-ee’s Beach Express
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Hall that is a good looking piece of land. I would have thought with that pond next to the big field the deer would wear it out. Interesting.
Proud Army and ALNG veteran God Bless America!
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3025616
01/28/20 09:55 AM
01/28/20 09:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,773 Florida
jacannon
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,773
Florida
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Do you only hunt it on a South wind?
Grandma said...Always keep a gun close at hand, you just never know when you might run across some varmint that needs killing...
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: jacannon]
#3025677
01/28/20 10:37 AM
01/28/20 10:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618 Santa Rosa/Conecuh
hallb
OP
Booner
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OP
Booner
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,618
Santa Rosa/Conecuh
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Do you only hunt it on a South wind? yes, or some version of S/SW/SE, etc - never hunted on a N, NE. Like I said, there has actually been a number of days with that wind here this year, so it is nice to have a place to go. That being said, it could have multiple stands.
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3026270
01/28/20 08:24 PM
01/28/20 08:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,166 Florence, Al
AlabamaSwamper
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,166
Florence, Al
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Deer Especially old bucks love waist high grass
BTR Scorer in NW Alabama
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: ronfromramer]
#3026591
01/29/20 07:34 AM
01/29/20 07:34 AM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 13,896 AL
hunterbuck
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 13,896
AL
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Seriously though, id plant the whole 5acres in ironclay peas and see if you can get them coming every day during the summer. Then when the peas play out, should be about acorn drop time, replant in whatever mix you want to. That and keep the corn there for them. I think year round feed is the key. If you are fortunate enough to have a 5 acre plot, plant it. Keep something for deer to eat in it all year, give them a reason to be there, its that simple Agree. Plant every available yard of dirt there with stuff deer like to eat.
"You think I care? Roll Damn Tide"
Have you tried Google?
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Re: How to make a large plot better?
[Re: hallb]
#3027027
01/29/20 02:38 PM
01/29/20 02:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 112 Covington County, AL
Shhwing
3 point
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3 point
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 112
Covington County, AL
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Id plant different rows. Iron clay peas and round up ready corn. the corn will give them cover to go to and from the peas and when winter comes around they will be back in the corn. Can bush hog it over also. the position of the stand might also be spooking the deer. this past year I went around a few of our houses that have windows on all 4 sides and covered a few so that you can't see someones head sticking out like a sore thumb while they are in the stand. Also covered the openings with camo burlap fabric to limit seeing movement in the stands. Stand being in the north. North west winds are the prevailing winds. moving the stand to the south could help with keeping hunters scent from blowing across the plot.
Last edited by Shhwing; 01/29/20 02:45 PM.
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