Big bucks often come from small properties, yet these mature deer frequently live on a neighbor’s or other land that is not available to hunting. The trick is to create a food source that will attract does and bucks throughout the fall. You may not regularly see mature bucks, but if you can hold the does and fawns, bucks will show up as the rut approaches.
How Big is Small?
Small plots are often called “kill plots,” because they are designed to be hunted and not necessarily provide food and nutrition during the entire year. With a traditional, larger food plot, stand placement is vital to catch deer moving to or from the food source. With kill plots, any deer that steps into the groceries is usually within range of today’s modern archery gear. A micro-food plot can be as small as 1/8th of an acre, and the best sites are in remote areas. A quarter to half an acre will better withstand constant feeding by deer and doesn’t require as much seed or preparation as a standard food plot.
But I Don’t Have Equipment
Farm equipment is expensive to own but cheap to rent. Purchasing this gear is often prohibitive unless you have a business or relative who owns a tractor, disk, and other implements. However, renting a heavy-duty rotary mower and a tiller will enable you to transform a bushy area into plantable soil in a few hours. Do an internet search of rental companies near you, and you will be surprised how much you can get done.
Kill the Weeds
If you are searching for a prime location for an inland food plot, look for green patches. These will probably be filled with weeds and plants that deer don’t eat, yet the fact that plants grow wild there indicates that the soil is moderately fertile, the spot receives enough sunlight, and the moisture in the ground keeps vegetation alive. You will need to kill the weeds with glyphosate (Commonly called Roundup), and it may require more than one spraying with a week or more in between. Ensure you follow all of the safety precautions for you and the environment.
What to Plant?
The food source you choose depends on the time of year you plan to hunt. Are you planning on opening day, during the rut, or late season? Clover is a great year-round food source, yet it is expensive and requires full sun to grow well. It’s well worth your time to talk to local farm retailers and watch YouTube videos to make this decision. Typically, turnips are a good late-season crop, are inexpensive, and easy to plant, yet I’ve had zero luck growing them. I have my eye on oats or winter wheat for my small plot. These plants withstand grazing and will attract deer in September and October, when I plan to hunt.