[Pinefarm]

Last year, I frost seeded some rape in a few plots. I think it was around late March. It came up pretty good and the deer ate almost all of it by June. But, am I better off to frost seed it or to till up the plot as soon as it softens up and then plant? Say, mid-April? Any idea's? Also, can I frost seed clover with the rape?

 

[mondrella]

I think working the ground up and planting is far more effective. you can control the soil contact and depth much easier than frost seeding. There may be times where frost seeding is very effective due to the weather. then the next time you try it there will be little to no success. If I had a area where I could not get into it to work it up would be the only way I would do it. To have a big flock of turkeys come in and clean up your seed from frost seeding a waste. A good clover stand can take time to grow. For what you are trying to accomplish. I would recommend working the ground up well. Find out what need in the soil by soil testing. I would bet you need a lot of lime out there. I have found that a end of August planting of clovers and alfalfa the best time to plant. The weed growth is diminshing and the clover has less competion from other plants. We have a clover field that is 8 years old and still better than 75% of the other farm land around us.

BTW Bob I saw the guys who bought my land out your way today. They have been doing what I was doing and this year seen good numbers of deer each day and managed to take 3 eight points. 2 of them by the pics I would say fall around 120" of horn being conservative. The other about 105". The neighbors to the north took 4 bucks 6 points and a 7 pt that where 21/2 years old . The place to the south got a 6 point just under 20" on the inside. They passed up a lot of young bucks and are still trying to get a shot at a monster 8pt for that area. They have pics on thier camtrackers they showed me. Solid 9" tines a good 18" wide and a big swayed back and hanging gut. By looking at the pic I would say a easy 41/2 year old buck. The big guys can be grown out there the biggest thing is getting the right food plots started and the right size to offer them enough to eat.

 

[Pinefarm]

You maybe shouldn't have sold that. Even shining this year, the section to the south of your old place was still the best section for 15 miles. To the south of me, like Pine or Oak and 12 or 11 mile, was devoid of deer to the point where we didn't even go shining there. Really from your old place and east, it starts picking up. East of the Mecosta line sounded decent too.

 

[Pinefarm]

Oh yeah, do you know those guys that are in that section to the south of your old place? There's always been some of the nicest bucks in the area there. Do they pass on small bucks? Do they hunt much? Will they lease it out?

 

[johnhunter]

I think it can be done. I would go very light on the rape seed, it can shade out the clover.

Thickest first-year clover plot I've ever seen in my whole life was frost-seeded.

 

[mondrella]

I know I should have held on to that land but what they offered me I could not turn it down.
The place to the south is owned by a lady and her brother. I am sure they won't lease it out. She is on total disabilty. She lives on her own but is not all there. If you go to her door you may be staring down a gun barrel one day the next she will have you in for coffee. One of the nieghbors just got sole hunting rights to it for taking her to town once a month to do her shopping. He passes on all the young bucks and only taking mature deer. The guys who used to hunt it when I was there would shoot anything that moved. More and more of the nieghbors are doing it and it is showing.