Introduction
Are you struggling to attract and hold deer, turkey, and other wildlife on your property? You’ve probably spent time and resources planting large agricultural fields, hoping to create a whitetail paradise. While open fields offer significant benefits, many landowners overlook a secret weapon hidden within the timber: the wooded food plot. These often-smaller, more secluded plantings can be a game-changer, providing crucial habitat and nutrition that keeps wildlife coming back year after year.
In areas dominated by forests, relying solely on agricultural fields can leave wildlife vulnerable to predation and stress. Wooded food plots offer a sanctuary, a place where deer can browse in peace, turkeys can scratch for insects, and small game can find refuge. They provide a diverse food source, crucial cover, and act as connectors between different habitat areas, creating a more robust and resilient ecosystem. This is where having a strong wooded food plots program can be beneficial to your habitat and hunting goals.
This article will serve as a comprehensive guide to planning, creating, and maintaining effective wooded food plots. Whether you’re a seasoned land manager or just starting out, you’ll learn how to unlock the potential of your timber, attract and hold more wildlife, and create a thriving habitat that benefits both the animals and your hunting success. Let’s transform your timber into a wildlife haven with strategically placed and well-managed wooded food plots.
Understanding the Benefits of Wooded Food Plots
Why should you dedicate time and effort to creating wooded food plots? The benefits extend far beyond simply providing a supplemental food source; they contribute to the overall health and well-being of your local wildlife population.
- Enhanced Nutrition: Imagine deer coming out of a hard winter, depleted of energy reserves. Natural forage can be scarce in late winter and early spring, leaving animals vulnerable to disease and starvation. Wooded food plots offer a readily available source of high-quality nutrition, helping deer recover quickly and preparing them for the demands of antler growth and fawn rearing. The nutrition provided to the wooded food plots will allow for the wildlife to sustain throughout the year. This is especially true during times when natural food sources are lacking or limited. Similarly, turkeys benefit from the abundance of insects and seeds found in well-managed plots, providing them with the energy they need for nesting and raising their young.
- Improved Habitat: Wooded food plots create what’s known as “edge habitat.” This is the transition zone between different habitat types (e.g., forest and open field), and it’s highly valued by wildlife because it provides a variety of resources in a small area. The edge provides increased browse. The sunlight reaching the ground in the plot encourages the growth of forbs, grasses, and shrubs, creating a diverse understory that supports a wide range of species.
- Increased Cover: The forest canopy provides overhead cover, while the dense vegetation within the plot offers crucial security cover. Deer can bed down in the plot during the day, feeling safe from predators and protected from the elements. Turkeys use the plot for dusting and loafing, and small game find refuge from hawks and other predators. This sense of security reduces stress on wildlife, allowing them to thrive.
- Reduced Hunting Pressure: The benefit of creating natural travel and hunting locations within the timber is great. Wildlife will often travel to these locations and it also keeps hunting pressure away from agricultural fields, which allows for better growth and less disturbance.
Planning Your Wooded Food Plot
Success with wooded food plots hinges on careful planning. You can’t just clear a patch of trees and expect wildlife to magically appear. Selecting the right location, understanding your soil, and choosing the appropriate plants are all critical steps.
Site Selection Considerations
Several factors influence the suitability of a site for a wooded food plot.
- Sunlight: This is arguably the most important factor. Most food plot plants require at least four to six hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. Take the time to observe the sunlight patterns on your property throughout the year. Consider when the leaves are on the trees and how they affect the amount of sunlight. South-facing slopes generally receive more sunlight than north-facing slopes.
- Soil Type and Drainage: Ideally, you want well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Heavy clay soils can be difficult to work with and may require amendment with compost or other organic materials. Poorly drained soils can lead to root rot and other problems. Assess the soil type and drainage characteristics of your potential plot locations.
- Water Source: While not essential, proximity to a water source can be a significant advantage, especially during dry periods. Consider locating your plot near a creek, pond, or spring.
- Existing Vegetation: Take stock of what’s already growing on the site. Are there desirable plants that you want to keep? Are there invasive species that need to be controlled?
- Topography: Flat or gently sloping areas are generally easier to work with than steep slopes. Consider how the topography will affect drainage and accessibility.
- Accessibility: Consider how you will access the site with equipment for planting and maintenance. Can you get a tractor or ATV to the plot?
Size and Shape
The ideal size of a wooded food plot depends on several factors, including the size of your property, the wildlife population, and your hunting objectives. A good rule of thumb is to aim for plots that are one to three acres in size. Irregular shapes are generally more effective than square or rectangular plots because they create more edge habitat and blend more naturally with the surrounding forest.
Layout and Design
Aim to create a natural-looking plot that blends seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Avoid creating sharp, unnatural lines. Incorporate existing trees and shrubs into the design, and consider creating travel corridors to connect the plot with other habitat areas. This helps wildlife feel more secure and encourages them to use the plot regularly.
Creating Your Wooded Food Plot: Step-by-Step
Once you’ve planned your plot, it’s time to get to work. Creating a wooded food plot involves several steps, from clearing the site to planting the seeds.
Clearing the Site
This is often the most labor-intensive part of the process. You’ll need to remove trees, brush, and other vegetation from the plot area. You can use a chainsaw to fell trees and a forestry mulcher to grind up brush. Always prioritize safety when operating heavy machinery. Consider leaving some standing dead trees (snags) for wildlife habitat. Herbicide use is another option. Always use the correct Personal Protection Equipment. Be sure to follow all instructions and guidelines for the product.
Soil Preparation
- Soil Testing: Before planting anything, it’s essential to test your soil. This will tell you the pH and nutrient levels of your soil, allowing you to amend it accordingly. Contact your local agricultural extension office for information on soil testing services.
- Liming: Most food plot plants prefer a soil pH of around six point five to seven point zero. If your soil is too acidic, you’ll need to add lime to raise the pH. The amount of lime needed will depend on the soil test results.
- Fertilizing: Based on your soil test results, you’ll need to add fertilizer to provide the necessary nutrients for plant growth. Choose a fertilizer that is appropriate for the plants you’re growing.
- Tilling/Disking: Tilling or disking the soil helps to create a smooth, even seedbed. However, no-till methods are becoming increasingly popular because they help to conserve soil moisture and reduce erosion.
Seed Selection
This is the fun part! Choose plants that are well-suited to the conditions in your wooded food plot.
- Factors to Consider:
- Sunlight availability
- Soil type
- Climate
- Wildlife preferences
- Plant Recommendations:
- Shade-tolerant options: Clover, chicory, brassicas, oats, rye, winter wheat.
- Deer-specific forage: Clover blends, brassica blends, chicory blends.
- Turkey-specific forage: Clover, chufa.
- Seed Quality: Purchase high-quality seed from reputable sources.
Planting Techniques
- Broadcasting: Broadcasting seed by hand or with a spreader is a simple and effective method for planting small plots.
- Drilling: Using a no-till drill ensures better seed-to-soil contact and improved germination rates.
- Planting Depth: Plant seeds at the correct depth according to the seed packet instructions.
Creating Screening Cover
This helps the plot act more as a sanctuary by providing a visual barrier. Planting tall native grasses, shrubs, or even annuals like corn or sorghum around the perimeter of the plot can help wildlife feel more secure.
Maintaining Your Wooded Food Plot
Creating a wooded food plot is just the first step. Regular maintenance is essential to keep the plot healthy and productive.
Weed Control
Weeds can compete with your desired plants for resources. Control weeds by hand-pulling, mowing, or using herbicides.
Fertilizing and Liming
Continue to test your soil regularly and amend it as needed.
Mowing
Mowing can stimulate new growth and maintain palatability.
Protecting Against Overgrazing
Consider fencing or using exclosures to protect young plants from excessive browsing.
Replanting/Overseeding
Replant or overseed as needed to maintain a healthy stand of plants.
Conclusion
Wooded food plots are a powerful tool for maximizing wildlife habitat in the timber. By providing enhanced nutrition, improved cover, and creating edge habitat, these plots can significantly enhance your property’s attractiveness to deer, turkey, and other wildlife. Don’t just rely on open fields; unlock the potential of your timber by implementing a well-planned and well-maintained system of wooded food plots.
Now is the time to take action. Start planning your wooded food plots today. Assess your property, select the right locations, and choose the plants that will thrive in your area. With a little effort, you can transform your timber into a wildlife paradise and enjoy the rewards of a thriving ecosystem. Remember, habitat management is a long-term investment. By practicing good stewardship, you can ensure that your property remains a haven for wildlife for generations to come. The benefits of food plots within your wooded areas are very helpful to your habitat and hunting goals.
