I haven't posted in a while, but a lot has been accomplished in the last couple of months. I got my soil test back for a small hidey hole plot just inside the timberline. I'm super impressed with this river bottom soil! Decided that no soil amendments were needed to establish a plot in this area.
Decided to plant a popular food plot mix from the local seed store- purple top turnips, forage turnips, crimson clover, jumbo ladino, alfalfa, bob oats, cereal rye, Austrian winter peas, and chicory. I realize that this is a lot to try to cram into a tiny plot and some of the plants may not make it due to the growing conditions and planting method, but I figured it would be a neat experiment to see what works.
On August 18-19th we prepped and planted the new #2 plot. I had sprayed this area about a month prior, so we had to clear dead vegetation, break up the soil, and broadcast seed. This is a tiny plot, so everything was easily accomplished with a weedeater, garden rakes and a small seed broadcaster. The soil's surface was easily broken with the garden rakes, so we should have had really good seed to soil contact. We had a good rain the next day, so I feel we should have good germination.
Other than planting, I moved the trail camera and hung two stands. The first stand is on the new #2 plot that provides shot opportunities to the plot and the field edge. This spot is situated near two different bedding areas and along a travel corridor just inside the field edge. The hidey hole plot should just be icing on the cake. The second stand I hung is in, what I think, a phenomenal rut funnel. I've never hunted this spot or even hung a camera in it, but it's covered in old rubs and is 10 yards from where deer are scrambling down the bank to get a drink. I've been eyeing this spot for a couple of years and I can't wait to do a few all day sits there this November.
