Need help for this spring.

[swmfdotcom]

My father has 22 acres,A back field fallows the west fence line and is about 5 acres.Tree line to the north,west and a dense thicket borders a creek along the east,and south sides of the field.The ajoining propertys are wooded to the south and swamp. To the west is a 120 acre field,this year beans next year corn,we are wanting to plot the back 5 acres. Have been reading on imperiel whitetail clover,and chicory,was wondering what peoples thoughts were.I do have access to all equiptment needed,but would like to have some input as well as the proper way to implament the plot to the property.
Thanks in advance
Doug

[gunfun13]

5 acres is a very large area to be planting in one thing, I would recommend a variety of plantings instead. I have not personally planted imperial clover and chicory but I do have both clover and chicory in my plots in lenawee county. Clover and chicory are ussually hit from mid spring to mid fall, the time of year when food is most abundant. However, chicory is great to have in case of drought because it will continue to grow when all the clovers go dorment. Consider also planting food that is availavle at the most critical times of year for deer, late fall through spring green up. Grain like wheat or rye will be hit all fall then will be the first thing green in the spring when little other food is available. A brassica mix including turnips, is great for winter carry over. But if you are in farm country with low deer density you risk the deer not eating them at all. I am in a farm area but have a very high deer density and the deer are already hitting the brassicas hard and pulling out the turnips to eat the bulbs. It might take you a couple years of expirementation to find what deer in your area like best, but thats the fun of it. Get Ed Spin's book and you will learn everything you need to know on how to make a successful food plot. Just follow his instructions and don't cut corners.

[swmfdotcom]

Thanks gunFun,
We have a fairly large population in the are,but back in 2000 and 01,the people that own the field behind us chunked out to 5 acre plots for their oldest boys to build houses on and one 5 acre plot for the youngest in their wooded section. That cut alot of deer off. We used to have alot of good shooter bucks on the block,but now were happy if we have 4-5 shooters. Being in the center of it all and surrounded by crops,we have to get the 22 acre chunk back on the map from when the new houses cut off the path of teh herd. Were hopping the food plot will work. The thicket is always used as a bedding area,but they tend to hang out more in the winter and summer then they do in the fall now. Agian thanks for the advice.

Doug