HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Good luck with the deer and the health issues! The plots look good.
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Starting from Scratch.
- Thread starter Deadeye
- Start date
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
I will do an Update on the Plots once I get there later today. The Boy took a small Doe during the Doe Days, but so far that has been it. Coyotes are really bad here we have found. Once they found his garbage pile (which I had him put way away from Camp) the woods lit up with them. They also found another pile where we heard shooting that day. Them things was at it all night. There must be several packs from the sound of it. I am taking a Shotgun along this trip with my Rifle. If I get a Buck, especially near dark, I might need it to protect the meat and myself. Also leaving my carry 7 shot 9mm at home and taking the 13 shot .40 instead. Them buggers better let me alone or they will pay.
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Well I'd have to say from my point of view, most of the Food Plots were a BUST. The Clover Field looks to have promise but the rest look terrible.
I will wait to see what happens in the Spring, as I still see some growth of Clover in most of the places, but I'm thinking a Soil Test is in order to see if I want to try and proceed with this any further. This area, according to my neighbor, has been a Timber Property for growing Pines for just about forever. Lost of Pine Needles have been dropped over the years and may take more Lime and Money than I am willing to pour into it at this time.
If this land was mine, I would not care and would be clearing some land of Pines and creating more "field" areas. Since I can not do that I have what I have and will need to wait until they do a Thinning to open up areas.
The Soil Test will be the tell all.
I have also found a Florida Based Company that blends seed for Plots based on our Florida Soils. That might be worth looking into as well.
I will wait to see what happens in the Spring, as I still see some growth of Clover in most of the places, but I'm thinking a Soil Test is in order to see if I want to try and proceed with this any further. This area, according to my neighbor, has been a Timber Property for growing Pines for just about forever. Lost of Pine Needles have been dropped over the years and may take more Lime and Money than I am willing to pour into it at this time.
If this land was mine, I would not care and would be clearing some land of Pines and creating more "field" areas. Since I can not do that I have what I have and will need to wait until they do a Thinning to open up areas.
The Soil Test will be the tell all.
I have also found a Florida Based Company that blends seed for Plots based on our Florida Soils. That might be worth looking into as well.
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Been way to long since an Update, but that is what Life does to you.
I had plans for this Spring for things to do to improve our place, but a mixture of a new Grandson, and taking on the VP position at our Motorcycle Club has kept me busy. That an an almost complete remodel of the house. Tore down a dividing wall and pulled all the floors and still working on it.
I intend to get back up mid July to set some new stands and mow what we have and plant some new. Use what seed I have left and use the two kinds the SIL bought some time back and never used. Also think I will add some oats or wheat in to give the new clover a cover crop. Still think that was the biggest issue with the one plot. All the camera pics had deer walking down the cut eating, yet it looked like nothing was growing, I think they just mowed it down before it got a good root system going.
Living 6 hours away has it's own set of issues. Time to go and stay is the main problem.
I had plans for this Spring for things to do to improve our place, but a mixture of a new Grandson, and taking on the VP position at our Motorcycle Club has kept me busy. That an an almost complete remodel of the house. Tore down a dividing wall and pulled all the floors and still working on it.
I intend to get back up mid July to set some new stands and mow what we have and plant some new. Use what seed I have left and use the two kinds the SIL bought some time back and never used. Also think I will add some oats or wheat in to give the new clover a cover crop. Still think that was the biggest issue with the one plot. All the camera pics had deer walking down the cut eating, yet it looked like nothing was growing, I think they just mowed it down before it got a good root system going.
Living 6 hours away has it's own set of issues. Time to go and stay is the main problem.
Drycreek
Well-Known Member
Hey, we all have some of those problem plots. I know it do. One that frustrates me the most is my bow stand plot right here behind the house. I've tried three different things and nothing grows very well. Maybe better this year, at least I have a decent stand of buckwheat in it now.
I can empathize with the distance. Even a couple hours away has its problems. I hunt three places, behind the house, 25 minutes away, and 2.5 hr. away. The latter one definitely gets less attention. Hang in there, keep getting soil tests, amending, and experimenting. You'll find something that grows.
I can empathize with the distance. Even a couple hours away has its problems. I hunt three places, behind the house, 25 minutes away, and 2.5 hr. away. The latter one definitely gets less attention. Hang in there, keep getting soil tests, amending, and experimenting. You'll find something that grows.
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Well not getting there as planned this Spring sure showed it face.
My Cloverfield was completely taken over by Dog Fennel. I’m talking over my head high and thick.
But I got it mowed down, over seeded and a feeder set up.
The feeders are my own design and use a 55 gallon drum as the holder. Holds 350 lbs of corn.
I got 3 locations done all with feeders and over seeding. See in a month how it all works out.
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My Cloverfield was completely taken over by Dog Fennel. I’m talking over my head high and thick.
But I got it mowed down, over seeded and a feeder set up.
The feeders are my own design and use a 55 gallon drum as the holder. Holds 350 lbs of corn.
I got 3 locations done all with feeders and over seeding. See in a month how it all works out.
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Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Well hopefully the cracks I purposely placed in the boards will allow it to drain off as fast as it comes in.
If not I will have to devise some sort of roof over that part.
The barrel was chosen specially because the entire lid comes off and is held in place by a snap locking ring. So rain on it won’t be an issue.
Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
That feeder design looks like it's going to work. You got a patent on that thing? It just gave me some ideas.
Drycreek
Well-Known Member
I didn’t realize your location when I posted. Don’t worry about soured corn, the hogs are gonna clean that up after they flip your feeder over and empty it !
I’m only half kidding, if you have hogs, and I assume Florida is covered up with them, they will destroy that feeder. BUT......you know what they say about assuming
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Well not yet. But I have thought of offering them for sale.
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
I didn’t realize your location when I posted. Don’t worry about soured corn, the hogs are gonna clean that up after they flip your feeder over and empty it !
I’m only half kidding, if you have hogs, and I assume Florida is covered up with them, they will destroy that feeder. BUT......you know what they say about assuming
Well so far we are Very Lucky in that we have Never seen any, any sign of, or pics of any Hogs.
Like it that way.
Drycreek
Well-Known Member
Wow ! So much for assumptions. That would last about a week, if that, where I am. They turned my empty one over a few weeks ago because it smelled like corn. It’s about the only one left that isn’t penned, and it will be come September. May you continue to not see any hogs, or signs of them, but if you do, kill them as quickly as possible. They are a scourge !
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Well the seed I put down in August doesn’t seem to have taken, but after talking to Fl Plantation and he told me that it has been in a drought so that could be part of it.
However we do have Green Spaces on all shooting lanes so that’s a plus.
See what next month brings.
However we do have Green Spaces on all shooting lanes so that’s a plus.
See what next month brings.
FL Plotter
Well-Known Member
For $135 you can get a tripod Moultrie spin feeder that will hold 5 bags of corn and not have to worry about it getting wet or 'coons getting in it.
No rain in the upcoming 10 day forecast either. I can't remember when you planted last year, but for us, we've been moving towards November plantings for both moisture, and to avoid the army worms. I planted in September a few years ago and lost it all and had to replant.
Our recipe now: Mow in September. Spray gly in Oct after new growth from mowing. Plant in late October, early November.
No rain in the upcoming 10 day forecast either. I can't remember when you planted last year, but for us, we've been moving towards November plantings for both moisture, and to avoid the army worms. I planted in September a few years ago and lost it all and had to replant.
Our recipe now: Mow in September. Spray gly in Oct after new growth from mowing. Plant in late October, early November.
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
I will probably add a Roof over the Corn Bin Deck just to help with the rain.
I will say that they work. Yes the coons are getting some, but what they knock out while in it feeding the Deer are eating. One had all but about 2 bags gone, the other had about 1 bag left, and the last down nearest to the Swamp was empty with the ground all around it churned into dirt. Put more in and will be back up in a couple of weeks to re-fill and that will be it until Archery.
Got two new stands with Blinds up near them and added a Blind to the Tripod next to the other.
I will say that they work. Yes the coons are getting some, but what they knock out while in it feeding the Deer are eating. One had all but about 2 bags gone, the other had about 1 bag left, and the last down nearest to the Swamp was empty with the ground all around it churned into dirt. Put more in and will be back up in a couple of weeks to re-fill and that will be it until Archery.
Got two new stands with Blinds up near them and added a Blind to the Tripod next to the other.
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
Been awhile since I updated this, and well that’s because every plot I have tried has sucked
Except this year.
I read on a Florida Hunting Page a guy ask what he could plant on land that had been a pine tree forest for years
Of course the same answers came of Check your Soil, put lots of lime down, add more fertilizer, try ICPs etc.
Then this one guy stated what he was using. And why. And the results he was getting and had for several years. One person commented on that this tip was Genius!
Well I had nothing to loose so I did some research and selected a product based on the ingredients. What did I get?
Not telling just yet.
I will after I see how it does over a few months. But I disced the soil again with the disc set at 4”. Broadcast the seed mix, then disc it again at 1” down to cover the product.
One place I used a screen drag and the rest I did not to see if it mattered.
I’m happy to say after 3-4 weeks we have Growth! Pretty decent in some places and no so much in others. But over all this is the First Time I’ve came back and had this much growing.
Took a few pics and will follow up next month to see it it’s still working and if so, will reveal what it is.
Before pics.
This was one site only. The others didn’t have enough growing to mean anything.
Using the disc and after pics
This is about a month later. On a couple of sites.
See you in a month or so!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Except this year.
I read on a Florida Hunting Page a guy ask what he could plant on land that had been a pine tree forest for years
Of course the same answers came of Check your Soil, put lots of lime down, add more fertilizer, try ICPs etc.
Then this one guy stated what he was using. And why. And the results he was getting and had for several years. One person commented on that this tip was Genius!
Well I had nothing to loose so I did some research and selected a product based on the ingredients. What did I get?
Not telling just yet.
I will after I see how it does over a few months. But I disced the soil again with the disc set at 4”. Broadcast the seed mix, then disc it again at 1” down to cover the product.
One place I used a screen drag and the rest I did not to see if it mattered.
I’m happy to say after 3-4 weeks we have Growth! Pretty decent in some places and no so much in others. But over all this is the First Time I’ve came back and had this much growing.
Took a few pics and will follow up next month to see it it’s still working and if so, will reveal what it is.
Before pics.
This was one site only. The others didn’t have enough growing to mean anything.
Using the disc and after pics
This is about a month later. On a couple of sites.
See you in a month or so!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Deadeye
Well-Known Member
And you would be correct!
The soil sucks bad. I have broadcast so many bags of Lime on these areas and it doesn't seem to matter at all. It is land that has always been a Pine Tree Farm as far back as the neighbor can remember and his Grandfather owned the land that surrounds it.
So it has been harvested once the trees get big enough then stripped down and planted again.
