Last season’s “Deer Report” was a great success we heard from hundreds of you and it even wound up in Outdoor Life magazine.  Many of you asked to receive periodic updates on “what’s going on with the Dougherty’s wonderful world of deer”.  Well, what’s going on is, it is beginning to look like the “winter from hell” is drawing to a close and it is time to think about planting.

 

Many of you asked how we were able to have such terrific late season hunting last year. We saw huge numbers of deer each and every sit. A big part of that is due to the food plots we had planted. Deer are slaves to their stomachs and a key part of any property management program is planting food plots and crops.

 

Here are some of the keys to our success and what you should be thinking and doing right about now:

 

Test all your locations and follow the recommendations of the lab - do it now and be ready for spring

 

We recommend that your property is 60% perennial plants (a combination of chicory and clover make a great perennial base) and 40% annuals.  This keeps plenty of food in front of the deer at spring green up.

 

Many of your planting sites will need to be killed this spring.  Make sure the weeds and grasses you are trying to kill are green and growing before you spray. Don’t spray dormant plants or areas with annuals that have not yet germinated.

 

It happens every year, spring hits, you get a weather break and you plant. Then it starts snowing again.  A month later your seed is dead and rotting in the ground or barely limping along. Take your time and keep an eye on the local farmers for when to plant. Our rule of thumb is plant when the leaves start to break out (mouse ear size) on the hardwoods. The trees know when it is safe to grow.

 

Yes we plant corn and yes it is a big part of our late season success. But, corn is a “luxury crop” which should only be worked into your program after you have established a solid green plot program that is up and running.

For more information on the Dougherty Deer Report visit Northcountry Whitetails.