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New hunting land

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bjrogg:
Congratulations. I'm so happy for you. Enjoy your property and take good care of it.

I probably would just hunt trails this season. Scout your property good and find out where you really want your plots. Like Pat said when you know where you'd like them get some soil samples. I don't know what type crop to plant in your area. I live in Michigan and my uncle has a place further north of me. He has about fifteen acres cleared for food plots in his 40 acre woods. He always plants several different crops in about 3 acre plots. He likes to plant a little later than the farmers in his area. He usually plants alfalfa, soybeans, corn, sugarbeets, clover and also some of the deer plot mixs. I know some people might not like it but he likes round up ready crops. It makes it much easier for him to be successful with his plots and the deer don't seem to mind at all. He puts a lot of effort and considerable expense into his "farming ". He is a retired teacher from Detroit area and he really enjoys his farming now. Sometimes I think more than his hunting even. He usually buys any of my left over seed and I still have to get something for it. It's still useful to me. I give him a considerable break but it still adds up. He could probably go on a nice out of State hunt for the expense of his plots, but then he wouldn't have his joy of "farming "
Bjrogg

TrevorM:
Thanks Bjrogg! We live over an hour away so we'll only be there on weekends and when my kids are out of school so something fairly easy is definitely a plus. I don't think there are any large open areas at the moment so just scouting is probably what I'll do. Most things tend to grow really well here, sometimes a bit too well in fact. It can turn into jungle pretty quick :)  Is there type of corn deer prefer I can I just plant what I like? Feeding the family and the deer would be great. I'm planning on planting at least a few fruit trees around for the same reason.

bjrogg:
I'm to busy to help you much right now Trevor. I'd like to talk more when I can. Short answer for now.
People like sweet corn. It's totally different than field corn that the animals like. Will chat more when I can
Bjrogg

TrevorM:
Yeah I half thought it was a different type. Oh no rush, we don't even close on the place for a few weeks. I appreciate all the help.

Pat B:
There are lots of crops to plant instead of corn for a food plot. Wheat, rye, oats, beets, radishes, kale, rape, clover(red, crimson and ladino) and others. I just planted grain rye, kale, radishes and beets in my small food plot. All I need now is rain. Clover is a legume and will fix nitrogen in the soil from the atmosphere. There are food plot blends you can get from big box stores. Ask your local DNR about suggestions and again contact Eric Krewson. He lives near Birmingham I think and is very knowledgeable about deer hunting, food plots, etc and is very generous with his info.
 I just rough up the ground and use a hand spreader to disperse the seeds then drag something over it to cover the seed. I use an old cyclone fence gate to drag behind my riding mower.
Another thing to add is salt licks. One or two locations on your 40ac. Buy a 50# livestock salt/mineral block from feed store or Tractor Supply and place it on the ground in an area where deer will feel safe. It will eventually melt into the ground but the deer will dig and eat the salty dirt. I usually put 2 out a year, in early spring when they use it most and mid summer. They and other critters will use the salt all year long.

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