David
Active Member
Hogs might cause head aches, but they taste great. We killed two last night.
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Foodplotting In The Mountains...The Sequel
- Thread starter dogghr
- Start date
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dogghr
Well-Known Member
Well as we slide in nearer to the dog days of summer and heat and drought begins to take its toll, there's not much to learn from the land. Or is there? Come lets take a walkabout and see what we can see.
So tell me, why can't I have grasses and clovers together. This is my Buffalo plot, and the herd as not made its appearance for nearly 60 days. But now they would come and browse it hard, and their hooves would trample the growth beneath them. Answer me this. Why in this plot there are not dreaded weeds such as the thistle that everyone on here is trying to eradicate, yet that weed and others exist in a "managed" clover within sight?? How does the clover spread and grow under supposed adverse conditions? No seeding, no amendments, no costs other than time spent as the tractor does its work. How does nature do this? Why won't we learn? Why do we plant a shallow rooted plant such as clover, and then whine as it burns in the dreads of late summer? Tell me.
Planted brassicas last weekend before predicted rains. Didn't get much but was only a week ahead of my typical schedule. Mowed dead stubble to a foot previous week, then broadcast seed and fert. And look what we have here, new growth. Good to see. This particular plot has some of the worst soil consitancies on my land. Really takes some efforts and yearly rotations to gradually improve its conditions.
And here is a trick of the trade I learned a while back and is why I mowed stubble a foot high then did not roll or mow again. With the stubble, the deer will not stick their face into it and browse tight to the dirt. It allows new growth to get rooted well before having to handle hard browse. Other places where this stubble doesn't exist, this new alfalfa/clover plot is eaten nearly to the dirt.
So lets continue our walk. Want screening, want bedding? Just letting nature do her stuff. Always jump a half dozen deer from here as well as a couple bucks. And they stay put. I have mowed or walked repeatedly near them till they finally decide its enough and explode from the thicket like grouse. Plus fence rows make great edge affect deer just love.
Still more bedding, and browse. I was advised to dredge and channel and straighten this creek channel when I bought the place. And tho its taken a few years, it is now a year round mecca for deer with only Jan/Feb beating down the plants. Plus, I'm filtering clean water for the Mississippi. Don't see any Snowflakes making that happen in their concrete jungle. Why does Cali deal with so much drought and fires? Well we will save that discussion for another day. Global warming and weather changes is multifaceted.
So tell me, why can't I have grasses and clovers together. This is my Buffalo plot, and the herd as not made its appearance for nearly 60 days. But now they would come and browse it hard, and their hooves would trample the growth beneath them. Answer me this. Why in this plot there are not dreaded weeds such as the thistle that everyone on here is trying to eradicate, yet that weed and others exist in a "managed" clover within sight?? How does the clover spread and grow under supposed adverse conditions? No seeding, no amendments, no costs other than time spent as the tractor does its work. How does nature do this? Why won't we learn? Why do we plant a shallow rooted plant such as clover, and then whine as it burns in the dreads of late summer? Tell me.
Planted brassicas last weekend before predicted rains. Didn't get much but was only a week ahead of my typical schedule. Mowed dead stubble to a foot previous week, then broadcast seed and fert. And look what we have here, new growth. Good to see. This particular plot has some of the worst soil consitancies on my land. Really takes some efforts and yearly rotations to gradually improve its conditions.
And here is a trick of the trade I learned a while back and is why I mowed stubble a foot high then did not roll or mow again. With the stubble, the deer will not stick their face into it and browse tight to the dirt. It allows new growth to get rooted well before having to handle hard browse. Other places where this stubble doesn't exist, this new alfalfa/clover plot is eaten nearly to the dirt.
So lets continue our walk. Want screening, want bedding? Just letting nature do her stuff. Always jump a half dozen deer from here as well as a couple bucks. And they stay put. I have mowed or walked repeatedly near them till they finally decide its enough and explode from the thicket like grouse. Plus fence rows make great edge affect deer just love.
Still more bedding, and browse. I was advised to dredge and channel and straighten this creek channel when I bought the place. And tho its taken a few years, it is now a year round mecca for deer with only Jan/Feb beating down the plants. Plus, I'm filtering clean water for the Mississippi. Don't see any Snowflakes making that happen in their concrete jungle. Why does Cali deal with so much drought and fires? Well we will save that discussion for another day. Global warming and weather changes is multifaceted.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
More thickets standing head tall. And more browse that lasts well into Dec. Clover/rye/oats/pea plantings will be done early Sept. Soft mast is heavy, hard mast seems decent. I had some deer pics but this kicking me off my sighin has wore me out trying to post. Think I'm done till that's resolved by the powers that be. Have a pleasant Sunday. Our real season is just around the corner.
I hate to hear about your login problems. I browse and post exclusively with iPhone/iPad and have had no issues at all. Hopefully alknipper can resolve these issues...
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Good stuff dogghr. Those hidden places and old fence rows are a thing of beauty. Keep up the good work.
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
It took me 15 years to finally understand this. I know you know this, but for the sake of saying it, I'll say it. Soils will always balance themselves out with what they grow. Too much grass, and clover will encroach. Too much clover, and grass will encroach. Kill everything off, and pioneer weeds will emerge. The soil will push whatever it needs to, to get back to a functional carbon to nitrogen ratio in the soil. An imbalance caused by fertilizer, tillage, or spraying will cause a flush of something we likely never wanted to fill the void. Any deviation from said balance will require more and more inputs to hold back nature.
I am long done with monoculture plots. My simplest blend is 6 species, and my best is pushing 12 now, and will be up over 25 by next summer.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
I'm on my Apple laptop now, and same stuff. And I have an iPad. Seems to be more random now, so lets hope. Just testing my patience I guess, but so far its winning. Tapatalk not a problem.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
Bittersweet trip to the farm to get away. One of my longtime hunting buddies who is much younger than me, started his 3 mo of chemo this wk which will be followed by surgery. Probably will miss 6 mo of work, if he even goes back. Doubt he will get to hunt much, hopefully some. Nice thing about the farm, and nature in general is the soothing of the soul it gives. And with nearly no phone reception, just the dog and I made our rounds soaking in what there was to see.
Planted brassica with broadcasting 3 wks ago before predicted rains. Put down 19-19-19 and urea at planting and rains have come every few days which is so important for no till. I didn't mow or spray as the WW/WR was already a dead mulch. I will hit with another round of urea end of this wk. Was pleased that they were coming on and I hadn't overseeded like I sometimes do. If they look sparse, then you have done it corectly. They fill in nicely and if deer give them a chance will produce bulbs that provide food into Feb and bust the soil like a disc for next falls rotation. Usually after the deer have browse the leaves, I will overseed with WW/WR and RC somewhere in Nov. Great food thru the year and great soil building as the crops are rotated. I've limed once in 9 years and went from 5.5 to nearly 7 by the following spring and it has remained there until this year. I attribute a lot of that from the plant roatations maintaining and building the soils.
This pic is some of poorest soil consistancy and even after many rotations, it still requires effort for growth. Was quite pleased and will spray Cleth in near future to attack the grasses that popped up.
Here you can see the thatch I had to plant in to. With the storms we had, and the heat this hill side gets from the sun, I am really glad I did not till. Certainly most my seed and some soil would have been lost down the hillside. You have to be patient with no till as the seeds come forth at various times and don't all grow like a planted farm crop. But it works, and I've not tilled for several years now.
Natures insecticide.
This is some of last years hingecutting. If you cut a little high, the deer don't browse all the new growth and you tend to get better stump growth. You can see by just opening some daylight how the under story explodes. Eventually, small trees and shrubs will take over. I have a stand just past this spot if you look close, that sits 50 yds from the plot on an inside corner.
Well having trouble with pic uploads so I'll try to get this one and some others later. Stay tuned.... maybe.
Planted brassica with broadcasting 3 wks ago before predicted rains. Put down 19-19-19 and urea at planting and rains have come every few days which is so important for no till. I didn't mow or spray as the WW/WR was already a dead mulch. I will hit with another round of urea end of this wk. Was pleased that they were coming on and I hadn't overseeded like I sometimes do. If they look sparse, then you have done it corectly. They fill in nicely and if deer give them a chance will produce bulbs that provide food into Feb and bust the soil like a disc for next falls rotation. Usually after the deer have browse the leaves, I will overseed with WW/WR and RC somewhere in Nov. Great food thru the year and great soil building as the crops are rotated. I've limed once in 9 years and went from 5.5 to nearly 7 by the following spring and it has remained there until this year. I attribute a lot of that from the plant roatations maintaining and building the soils.
This pic is some of poorest soil consistancy and even after many rotations, it still requires effort for growth. Was quite pleased and will spray Cleth in near future to attack the grasses that popped up.
Here you can see the thatch I had to plant in to. With the storms we had, and the heat this hill side gets from the sun, I am really glad I did not till. Certainly most my seed and some soil would have been lost down the hillside. You have to be patient with no till as the seeds come forth at various times and don't all grow like a planted farm crop. But it works, and I've not tilled for several years now.
Natures insecticide.
This is some of last years hingecutting. If you cut a little high, the deer don't browse all the new growth and you tend to get better stump growth. You can see by just opening some daylight how the under story explodes. Eventually, small trees and shrubs will take over. I have a stand just past this spot if you look close, that sits 50 yds from the plot on an inside corner.
Well having trouble with pic uploads so I'll try to get this one and some others later. Stay tuned.... maybe.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
View attachment 13201 View attachment 13202 View attachment 13202 View attachment 13201
And we continue perhaps. Good example of leaving stubble in new planting to prevent early browse before roots get established. Look close and you have clover and alfalfa. The latter is always hard to find as the deer keep it browsed tight. If it weren't for an exclusion cage I wouldn't think it existed. This plot planted last year has been slow to come on since we had a 3 mo drought last fall after planting. Patience has begun to pay off, and I will spray grasses and overseed in Sept. And yes you can overseed alfalfa if it is not a pure stand and it does quite well. This section will double my alfalfa planting and hopefully give some relief for the deer.
Made my usual field edge scrape. Make one of these and you can get pic of every buck on your property. Overhanging licking branch 5 ft off ground and 3 foot scrape with your pee. I've used every trick out there, and this by far works the best. No corn, no bait, especially if you have bear, coons, or hogs. Doe will mark it as will the buck and so busy they pay no attention to the camera. Have to replace licking branch several times as they tear itup. Simply zip tie another in place.
I'm on a roll folks, lets hope it keeps working....Last years hinges with my field edge feathering. This ladder stand blends in well and sits about 50 yds from this fields inside corner also. It was hear that I passed a nice 10 named Bad Wheel which I'll show you in a moment.
More of mine, and natures edge feathering along much of this field. Makes for deer to be much more relaxed coming near. I almost never hunt a field as it tends to be pretty unproductive. 50-100yds inside much better especially if you are between you hinge cut bedding and the hingecut field edges.
I know there is some AO in that last pic Geo, but I'm working on it. Coyote and fox pretty prevalent this year with last years mild winter and bumper acorn crop giving real jump in deer numbers. More foxes usually mean less coyote. Bear population seems to be down also.
And here/s Bad Wheel. He was pretty tore up 3 yrs ago and I thot he'd not survive the bad winter. But he did, one tough dude. Had him on video the year he was tore up still fighting other bucks. I've let him go just because he survived but this year he counts 12 with stickers and at least 5 yo by my record. I'm not sure a lot of you guys know what it takes to get a deer over 4 yo in this country with the poachers and logging trucks. Quite an effort. Id like to give another year, but if he gives me a chance with the recurve, may not be good for him. Still aggressive as he ran off the 9 in the video. We shall see.
And last. Sure is a struggle for me to upload anymore, maybe my last until I get it figured out. But I always enjoy everyones info they share on here, and the things I've learned from you guys have been a trememdous help over the years. I really appreciate it. Thanks.
Remember to appreciate and be thankful for all you are given in family and friends. Crap happens before we know it and the moments can slip away. Have a great season. Peace.
"The earth laughs in flowers." ----Ralph Waldo Emerson
And we continue perhaps. Good example of leaving stubble in new planting to prevent early browse before roots get established. Look close and you have clover and alfalfa. The latter is always hard to find as the deer keep it browsed tight. If it weren't for an exclusion cage I wouldn't think it existed. This plot planted last year has been slow to come on since we had a 3 mo drought last fall after planting. Patience has begun to pay off, and I will spray grasses and overseed in Sept. And yes you can overseed alfalfa if it is not a pure stand and it does quite well. This section will double my alfalfa planting and hopefully give some relief for the deer.
Made my usual field edge scrape. Make one of these and you can get pic of every buck on your property. Overhanging licking branch 5 ft off ground and 3 foot scrape with your pee. I've used every trick out there, and this by far works the best. No corn, no bait, especially if you have bear, coons, or hogs. Doe will mark it as will the buck and so busy they pay no attention to the camera. Have to replace licking branch several times as they tear itup. Simply zip tie another in place.
I'm on a roll folks, lets hope it keeps working....Last years hinges with my field edge feathering. This ladder stand blends in well and sits about 50 yds from this fields inside corner also. It was hear that I passed a nice 10 named Bad Wheel which I'll show you in a moment.
More of mine, and natures edge feathering along much of this field. Makes for deer to be much more relaxed coming near. I almost never hunt a field as it tends to be pretty unproductive. 50-100yds inside much better especially if you are between you hinge cut bedding and the hingecut field edges.
I know there is some AO in that last pic Geo, but I'm working on it. Coyote and fox pretty prevalent this year with last years mild winter and bumper acorn crop giving real jump in deer numbers. More foxes usually mean less coyote. Bear population seems to be down also.
And here/s Bad Wheel. He was pretty tore up 3 yrs ago and I thot he'd not survive the bad winter. But he did, one tough dude. Had him on video the year he was tore up still fighting other bucks. I've let him go just because he survived but this year he counts 12 with stickers and at least 5 yo by my record. I'm not sure a lot of you guys know what it takes to get a deer over 4 yo in this country with the poachers and logging trucks. Quite an effort. Id like to give another year, but if he gives me a chance with the recurve, may not be good for him. Still aggressive as he ran off the 9 in the video. We shall see.
And last. Sure is a struggle for me to upload anymore, maybe my last until I get it figured out. But I always enjoy everyones info they share on here, and the things I've learned from you guys have been a trememdous help over the years. I really appreciate it. Thanks.
Remember to appreciate and be thankful for all you are given in family and friends. Crap happens before we know it and the moments can slip away. Have a great season. Peace.
"The earth laughs in flowers." ----Ralph Waldo Emerson
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
I can understand why you would want to get away in those mountains. Everything so beautiful and peaceful looking there now.
I wish the best for your friend. He is lucky to have a friend like you.
I wish the best for your friend. He is lucky to have a friend like you.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys for the comments. Sorry to always include personal things, but I do so because I know most on here are going thru similar and often worse episodes in their life and I just don't want them to feel alone. We get hectic in our schedules and sometimes fail to realize the fortunate things that have been afforded to each. Hunting has helped me make some of my best and most dependable friends, including many on this forum.
As I say often, the farmer says, "you are always only 7 days from a drought", and that holds very true.
Had a dry winter until March then its been snow or rain ever since, except a dry July, and that has made most of the area look like parts of Vietnam. Good rains can make even the worst foodplotter look good. Its when the days of drought come, we are put to the real test and why anymore my plots are a combination of shallow and deep rooted plants to help overcome the dry or the monsoon.
As I say often, the farmer says, "you are always only 7 days from a drought", and that holds very true.
weekender21
Well-Known Member
Your hills are looking great!
dogghr
Well-Known Member
Well my main pic computer blew and I haven’t really fig out pics on the Apple yet so try to do this via phone. Forgive any typos.
As you might remember Aug is my suck up month for upcoming Deer season w the little lady as I tend to to be MIA until new year. Threw urea on my 30 day brassica w rain coming and ran off for the wk. Take care of your family as they not always love your loves , remember.
Ran to the farm when got back to ck growth and deer. Have a nice 12 and 10 that are def shooters and half dozen 8s that are respectable. I’m pleased. Passing doe and buck thru 2 bad winters seems to have paid off.
Always good to have my main woman tagging along in the tractor.
Have shot bow some but nagging shoulder kept to minimum. Shooting decent at 20 yds thanks to years of shooting especially back when I was good enough to do so with wagers laying on the target shooting playing cards. Memories and fun.
Took this pic cause it reminded me of days when deer were few and the track in the mud was something to get excited about. We have it lucky now and are spoiled. I still like hunting like a kid in a candy shop. Look forward each year.
Clover alfalfa and chicory thriving this year. I will spray and fert w 0-20-20 this weekend. Haven’t sprayed for 2 years. You know how I feel about grasses and weeds. No worry. Don’t be fooled by the propaganda and save most your time and money. And never never replace a plot because you think its life is done. Only if you just want another planting should you do so. That clover combo will last longer than you.
Brassica planting was done w no spraying. Mowed talk 2 wks prior, thru down seed and 19-19-19 and urea and walked away. Yep grasses and grain and weeds in there but deer won’t match against me. PTT, Rape, and Jackhammer radish.
My Buffalo plot annex. An add on to the original. You argue all you want but clover plot w no planting by me? I like it. You know whatloves compaction? Clover. You know what hates it? Grasses and weeds. You choose, I’ll take the free stuff.
See what happens when opening canopy? Even mature trees begin to sprout limbs along their trunks which means more hard mast production later. You can manage deer and mature timber together. Don’t be fooled to thinking mature trees are a curse. Show me a 75 yo white oak and I’ll show you a money maker for deer.
I don’t have to say it do I? You know, get low. Bet you could learn more from a handful of dirt in your foodplot than any soil test could tell you , if let the ground teach you.
Season be here soon. Sorry for the long ramblings of a crazy mountain man. Trust your instincts and learn what the land wishes to teach you. Keep your eyes and mind open. Season we love is almost here. Stay excited and embrace every day as if it be your last. Peace, my good friends.
“You can’t know, you can only believe—or not. - - C.S. Lewis
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As you might remember Aug is my suck up month for upcoming Deer season w the little lady as I tend to to be MIA until new year. Threw urea on my 30 day brassica w rain coming and ran off for the wk. Take care of your family as they not always love your loves , remember.
Ran to the farm when got back to ck growth and deer. Have a nice 12 and 10 that are def shooters and half dozen 8s that are respectable. I’m pleased. Passing doe and buck thru 2 bad winters seems to have paid off.
Always good to have my main woman tagging along in the tractor.
Have shot bow some but nagging shoulder kept to minimum. Shooting decent at 20 yds thanks to years of shooting especially back when I was good enough to do so with wagers laying on the target shooting playing cards. Memories and fun.
Took this pic cause it reminded me of days when deer were few and the track in the mud was something to get excited about. We have it lucky now and are spoiled. I still like hunting like a kid in a candy shop. Look forward each year.
Clover alfalfa and chicory thriving this year. I will spray and fert w 0-20-20 this weekend. Haven’t sprayed for 2 years. You know how I feel about grasses and weeds. No worry. Don’t be fooled by the propaganda and save most your time and money. And never never replace a plot because you think its life is done. Only if you just want another planting should you do so. That clover combo will last longer than you.
Brassica planting was done w no spraying. Mowed talk 2 wks prior, thru down seed and 19-19-19 and urea and walked away. Yep grasses and grain and weeds in there but deer won’t match against me. PTT, Rape, and Jackhammer radish.
My Buffalo plot annex. An add on to the original. You argue all you want but clover plot w no planting by me? I like it. You know whatloves compaction? Clover. You know what hates it? Grasses and weeds. You choose, I’ll take the free stuff.
See what happens when opening canopy? Even mature trees begin to sprout limbs along their trunks which means more hard mast production later. You can manage deer and mature timber together. Don’t be fooled to thinking mature trees are a curse. Show me a 75 yo white oak and I’ll show you a money maker for deer.
I don’t have to say it do I? You know, get low. Bet you could learn more from a handful of dirt in your foodplot than any soil test could tell you , if let the ground teach you.
Season be here soon. Sorry for the long ramblings of a crazy mountain man. Trust your instincts and learn what the land wishes to teach you. Keep your eyes and mind open. Season we love is almost here. Stay excited and embrace every day as if it be your last. Peace, my good friends.
“You can’t know, you can only believe—or not. - - C.S. Lewis
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Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Looks like the buffet is set. The right weeds are a good addition to clover and alfalfa. I noticed deer devouring yellow wood sorrel in one of my plots recently. They aren't supposed to like it, but they do.
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
dogghr
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys.
I gave up on any spraying this year. Rains just won’t allow it but I’m not complaining after dealing w a 3 mo drought last year.
I did got down 600# of fert and seed. Used 100#/ac of 0-20-20 to freshen up perennials. And overseeded all them w 100# oats, 50# WR, 4#RC,2# WC, and mixed in some old brassica left over from last year, 1#, all per ac. Didn’t plant peas this year for first time.
I haven’t done any tillage for 3 years now and am just as pleased w the results. Saves time and money and soil. Timing is a little more critical and you must be patient as growth tends to be not as uniform.
Don’t pass opportunity to buy at your local feed store. It’s always a hoot to hang with the sellers and the guys that load my trailer. Even tho the one armed dude did ask me how my Weed was doing this year w all the rain. And he was serious. Good fellow and can carry 100# ‘bag as good as his younger coworkers. Support your locals if your going to whine about loss of big box stores and the internet sales.
Not many for the furry ones this year but did have a visitor while working that came to thank me for my efforts. Well actually by the camera at top of the hill. Close enough. Early season for them in some counties this yr.
Sorry computer still n repair so no deer pics. Will give you some soon hopefully. Doubt you can see this as he is in middle of pic but my resident Red Tail came and watched while I mowed. I knew he was hunting the cleared fields and sure enough swooped down on a snake for dinner. Pretty cool on video of him taking off w it. I’ve watched him take a lot of animals thru the years and diving at 100mph doesn’t give much a chance.
Have a good weekend friends. Great time of year.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I gave up on any spraying this year. Rains just won’t allow it but I’m not complaining after dealing w a 3 mo drought last year.
I did got down 600# of fert and seed. Used 100#/ac of 0-20-20 to freshen up perennials. And overseeded all them w 100# oats, 50# WR, 4#RC,2# WC, and mixed in some old brassica left over from last year, 1#, all per ac. Didn’t plant peas this year for first time.
I haven’t done any tillage for 3 years now and am just as pleased w the results. Saves time and money and soil. Timing is a little more critical and you must be patient as growth tends to be not as uniform.
Don’t pass opportunity to buy at your local feed store. It’s always a hoot to hang with the sellers and the guys that load my trailer. Even tho the one armed dude did ask me how my Weed was doing this year w all the rain. And he was serious. Good fellow and can carry 100# ‘bag as good as his younger coworkers. Support your locals if your going to whine about loss of big box stores and the internet sales.
Not many for the furry ones this year but did have a visitor while working that came to thank me for my efforts. Well actually by the camera at top of the hill. Close enough. Early season for them in some counties this yr.
Sorry computer still n repair so no deer pics. Will give you some soon hopefully. Doubt you can see this as he is in middle of pic but my resident Red Tail came and watched while I mowed. I knew he was hunting the cleared fields and sure enough swooped down on a snake for dinner. Pretty cool on video of him taking off w it. I’ve watched him take a lot of animals thru the years and diving at 100mph doesn’t give much a chance.
Have a good weekend friends. Great time of year.
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