Understanding Turkey Food Preferences
Dreaming of a Thanksgiving hunt where a plump turkey graces your table? Perhaps you simply enjoy observing these majestic birds strutting across your land. Whatever your motivation, creating a haven for wild turkeys often starts with establishing the right food plot. Food plots play a vital role in supporting healthy turkey populations by providing essential nutrition, attracting them to specific areas, and contributing to their overall well-being. This guide offers a comprehensive approach to selecting and establishing the best food plot for turkey, ensuring your land becomes a thriving habitat for these fascinating creatures.
Turkeys aren’t picky eaters, but their dietary needs vary significantly throughout the year. Understanding these seasonal shifts is critical for designing an effective food plot. In spring, the focus shifts to insects, succulent forbs, and tender new greens. This is a crucial time for nesting hens and rapidly growing poults (baby turkeys) who require the protein from insects to fuel their development. Think of it as building blocks for their growth. A hen who is nesting also needs high protein to be able to produce eggs.
As summer arrives, turkeys broaden their palate to include ripening berries, a greater variety of seeds, and continue seeking out insects. The abundance of natural food sources in summer means that the goal of a food plot shifts from a primary food source to a supplementary one, drawing them to specific areas on your property.
Fall and winter pose the greatest challenges for turkeys. As natural food sources dwindle, hard mast like acorns, persistent green forage, and remaining seeds become vitally important for survival. A well-stocked food plot can mean the difference between a flock thriving and struggling through the colder months.
Beyond food itself, understanding turkey habitat preferences also plays a crucial role. Turkeys thrive in areas with a mix of habitat types. Edge habitat, where different habitat types meet (like a forest edge bordering a field), is especially important, as it provides both cover and easy access to food. Open areas, where turkeys can easily spot predators, are equally essential, as are areas with dense cover for roosting at night. This can be brushy or dense piney/cedar type habitat.
Key Considerations for Choosing a Turkey Food Plot
Choosing the right location and preparing the ground for your turkey food plot is just as vital as selecting the right plant species. Several factors will influence your success, including soil type, sunlight availability, water access, and the shape and size of your plot.
Before you even think about planting, conduct a soil test. This simple and inexpensive process will reveal vital information about your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Most food plot plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, typically between six and seven. Understanding your soil type (sandy, loamy, or clay) will also dictate which plant species will thrive in your area.
Sunlight is the engine that drives plant growth. Most food plot plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Analyze your potential plot location throughout the day to ensure it receives adequate sunlight. If sunlight is limited, consider selecting shade-tolerant species.
Water is another critical component. While well-drained soil is crucial to prevent root rot, access to water is also essential, especially during dry periods. Ideally, your food plot will be located near a natural water source like a stream or pond. If natural water is scarce, consider providing a supplemental water source.
The size and shape of your food plot can also impact its effectiveness. While a small plot can provide supplemental food, larger plots are generally more attractive to turkeys. A plot of at least one to two acres is a good starting point. The shape of the plot is also important. Irregular shapes with edges that wind around trees or shrubs provide turkeys with a sense of security and encourage them to use the plot more frequently.
Weed control is paramount. Weeds compete with your desired plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Before planting, take steps to eliminate existing weeds through methods such as tilling, herbicide application, or smothering with tarps.
Top Food Plot Plant Options for Turkey
Selecting the right plant species is paramount. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best options for creating a thriving turkey food plot.
Legumes are a powerhouse of nutrition for turkeys. Clovers, such as white clover and crimson clover, are excellent choices. They are high in protein, attract insects (a vital food source for poults), and provide long-lasting forage. Alfalfa is another high-protein legume that is particularly beneficial for poults. Austrian winter peas are an excellent option for providing winter nutrition. Soybeans are also a great source of protein and are especially beneficial for poults.
Grains also have a place in a quality turkey food plot. Wheat provides early-season forage and seed production. Oats are similar to wheat and offer good forage and seed. Corn provides both cover and a high-energy food source during the fall and winter months. Grain sorghum offers excellent cover and seed production.
Don’t overlook native grasses. These provide valuable habitat and cover, particularly during the warmer months.
Forbs, or herbaceous flowering plants, also add diversity and value to your plot. Sunflowers attract insects and produce valuable seeds. Chicory is a drought-tolerant perennial that provides good forage. Buckwheat grows quickly and attracts beneficial insects.
Mast-producing trees and shrubs are essential for a complete turkey habitat. Oak trees, especially white oak and red oak, produce acorns, a critical food source in the fall and winter. Fruit trees like crabapple and persimmon provide valuable fruit in the fall. Shrubs like sumac and elderberry offer berries and cover.
Designing a Year-Round Turkey Food Plot Strategy
A successful turkey food plot is not just a one-time planting; it’s a year-round strategy. Consider what you will plant during each season to maximize its impact.
Spring planting should focus on legumes and early-maturing grains. Consider planting forbs to attract insects.
Fall planting should include winter wheat, oats, or rye. Establishing clover plots in the fall will provide long-term forage. Fall is also the time to plan for mast tree and shrub management, such as pruning or fertilizing.
Creating a mix of plant species offers numerous benefits. A diverse mix provides a variety of food sources, attracts a wider range of insects, and improves soil health. Here are some example mix combinations for different regions and soil types:
Southeastern Mix
Clover, wheat, rye, sunflowers, soybeans.
Midwestern Mix
Alfalfa, corn, oats, grain sorghum.
Northeastern Mix
Clover, wheat, rye, buckwheat, crabapple trees.
Planting and Maintenance Techniques
Proper planting and ongoing maintenance are critical for the success of your turkey food plot.
Begin with thorough site preparation. Clear any existing vegetation and prepare a smooth, firm seedbed.
Planting methods vary depending on the plant species and equipment available. Broadcasting involves spreading seeds across the surface of the soil. Drilling involves planting seeds at a specific depth. No-till planting involves planting seeds directly into the soil without tilling.
Fertilize according to your soil test results. Apply the recommended amount of fertilizer to provide the necessary nutrients for optimal plant growth.
Mowing is essential for maintaining a healthy food plot. Mow regularly to encourage new growth, control weeds, and prevent plants from becoming too tall and unpalatable.
Implement strategies for managing pests and diseases. Monitor your food plot regularly for signs of pest or disease problems. Use appropriate control methods, such as insecticides or fungicides, as needed.
Enhancing Your Turkey Food Plot
Enhance the attractiveness of your food plot for turkeys by incorporating additional habitat features.
Creating edge habitat is crucial. Plant shrubs or allow natural vegetation to grow along the edges of the plot.
Provide roosting cover by preserving or planting trees that provide suitable roosting sites.
Ensure access to water. Create or maintain ponds, streams, or watering holes.
Consider supplemental feeding, especially in areas with limited natural food. If supplemental feeding is necessary, use a high-quality turkey feed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common mistakes to maximize your chances of success:
Poor soil preparation leads to poor germination and plant growth.
Planting the wrong species for your area wastes time and money.
Neglecting weed control allows weeds to outcompete your desired plants.
Overgrazing the food plot prevents plants from recovering and producing seed.
Failing to provide supplemental habitat features limits the attractiveness of your food plot.
Conclusion
Creating a food plot for turkey is an investment in the health and well-being of these magnificent birds. By understanding their dietary needs, selecting the right plant species, and implementing proper planting and maintenance techniques, you can create a thriving habitat that attracts and supports a healthy turkey population. Remember that a year-round strategy and a focus on creating diverse habitat are key to success.
Get started today and transform your property into a haven for wild turkeys. Create a food plot that not only benefits the birds but also provides you with the satisfaction of contributing to their conservation and the enjoyment of observing them in their natural habitat. Your efforts will be rewarded with the sight of strutting toms, nesting hens, and playful poults, making your land a true sanctuary for these incredible creatures.
