10 Whitetail Food Plot Myths

Should you even plant a food plot for deer? When should you plant a food plot? Are you helping or hurting the deer herd when you plant your food plots? Should you hunt your food plots? Common food plot planting thoughts, rules and concepts are are made to be broken in this top food plot planting myth buster video. Before you plan, plant or hunt a food plot this season, make sure that you watch these common, top food plot planting myths for deer.

[@danlevecque7203]

Great info. I planted switchgrass around my food plot my access road runs along one side of my food plot. I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes up. I have added a water hole(110 gallon tub from TSC 69.00 on sale) as well up towards the back1/3 rd of my land. Its been difficult hinge cutting, my land is primarily Beech,red oak some maple and lots of hemlock. Trees are tall and get hung up a lot. But I'll keep at it. I have 30 acres in western Maine. Thanks again, Dan

[@710_savant_official]

The highlight of my day is to watch a new post you make, thanks for sharing valuable information that has helped me become a better hunter and tactics for making my property better than all my neighbors! Keep them jems coming 🙏🏻

[@Jeep-Addicts]

I’m in central Va and have 500 acres. Only 30 or so cleared for food plots. I am just getting started on food plots and your video are a huge help

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

Your information was direct and too the point concerning 'true to life reality' as it pertains to food plot concepts. Thanks Cris

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You are welcome Cris! After designing over 800 food plot programs across the country you can imagine the feedback I've gotten...some of the experiences from my clients good and bad. Trying to help folks avoid making mistakes...

[@t.daniel5003]

Thanks for the info! I totally agree that summer plots may not be that useful. I've been putting in food plots for about 15 years and what has worked best for me in the Thumb of Michigan is a Brassica, clover mix planted in early August. You will have plenty of attractive greens even after the first snow. The colder the better for the Brassicas. Also by working up my ground in August, I have been able to get by without having to spray herbicide.

[@dougbarber3400]

Great info Jeff. I so enjoy your channel and all that you do to help us all with your knowledge. Thank you Sir. You keep it coming and I will keep soaking it up :)

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Doug! Really appreciate all your comments. Actually have 5 more vids already done and ready to publish...and then shooting 5-6 in the morning after I return from my PA client trip tonight. That's at least enough for 3 weeks worth of videos coming soon ☺️ Will try to publish at least every other day...

[@ericfloyd9842]

Another great and informative vid, Jeff. I always learn something. I have always planted oats with a few brassicas in my plot. I have added several rows of corn in the front for variety and to shield my approach to and from the stand. You have talked me out of beans but probably for the better. Keep them coming!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Eric ..I truly hope that it helps you out! Hey btw, consider planting some type of none-food screening to help you out. Something like switchgrass, Egyptian wheat or a screening grass will screen you without bring deer to your screen to feed. Really appreciate the feedback!

[@alaskamike3577]

Great info Jeff as usual. I made the serious mistake in years past of spending so much money and time putting in spring/summer food plots. As you say, the real reward comes with the food plots that are strong in late fall/winter. Your suggestion last year about Rye, Oats and Wheat in winter did the trick. I added a couple micro plots of Purple top Turnips for the fall and they did great too early and late. Last but not least, Egyptian Wheat. Marvelous stuff for cover to hide stands and walk in areas. Hope all the guys watching know what valuable info you are putting out. Thanks for all you do.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Well I greatly appreciate that Mike! I really am trying to help folks out with the stuff based on a huge level of experience over many different levels that individuals will never find themselves or come close to. I think the "dislikes" are actually from a lot of food plotters that need to hear this info the most...just kind of stubborn 🙂 BTW...the EW really is awesome stuff, right? Thank you very much Mike...great to hear how everything is working for you!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great video brother as always. Very informative as always to. Thank u for sharing this info. GOD BLESS Amen.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Randle!

[@eddiewallace5272]

Dang good video Jeff, thanks for sharing your thoughts and information with us ✅💥✌️

[@TheElementWild]

Great thoughts Jeff! It’s hard for us hunters to go against the doctrine of food plotting we’ve been seeing the last several decades, but your advice is so well thought out and well-intentioned.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I appreciate that! It's tough because so many are taught the wrong way by well meaning folks that don't have enough experience to teach or truly understand the complexity of food plotting. I would guess that 95%+ of all food plotters are planting food plots that actually add no value to their efforts..or considerably hinder their efforts. I see it on nearly every client parcel I visit. Well over 800 parcels. I see first hand the damage and consistent mistakes and I do my best to understand the "whys" of either their success or failure. So many find some success...and then think they can apply that to every parcel everywhere, when really they lack the experience needed to determine why it not only works on their land or in their region, but why it doesn't work in another parcel or in another region. These practices and concepts are very well well intentioned for sure...they are also coming from an extremely high level of experience. I just hope as many folks listen as possible...just really trying to help as many as I can. No need for folks to experience the same mistakes I created for myself ☺️ Or those of my clients...

[@TheElementWild]

Were listening! You da man Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@TheElementWild thanks a lot guys, hope it helps! Really appreciate it...

[@barrymulharan8637]

Very informative!! Thank You!!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Barry! Really appreciate it...

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Great info Jeff, thanks again.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You are very welcome Steve!

[@timothy3921]

Your videos are well informed ty for the share

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You are very welcome and I really appreciate the feedback! 25 years planting food plots and the feedback for designing over 800 food plot programs in 26 states...I hope I've learned a couple of things along the way 🙂 I really enjoy this stuff and I'm trying to help food plotters to not make the same mistakes I see over and over again.

[@plainsbowhunter1346]

Great info. I enjoy watching your videos and learning. I have a question. I have a 10 acres in SW Oklahoma would it be worth putting a food plot on? It’s about 2/3 timber and surrounded by a lot of timber.

[@RayEvangelista70]

Another awesome video!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you very much Raymond!

[@danplanck4058]

Good info thanks Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Dan!

[@jasonrich5892]

I have been watching your channel for a while and love it. I do have a few questions about food plots in GA. Looking to plant cow peas and bow stand no plow. What are your thoughts? I do remember that you said to run a he food plots parallel to boarders however where I was going to put this plot it will not be parallel to the boarders because it is on a short strip

[@stevegermain1222]

I find your information and mannerism to be the best out there thank you so much

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you very much Steve that really means a lot to me!

[@nathanroussin1315]

Yup I knowa guy that put in a massive two acre field and hunt 360 degrees around the edge, after two seasons the only thing that still visits that field in daylight is turkey and birds. I like to get them coming and going.

[@fishsoft92]

I’m in a weird scenario. I hunt a 40 acre spot that my dads cousin owns with a ~10 acre alfalfa field in the front. That is surrounded by solid timber for no less than 500 yards on two of the 4 sides. the other two are a short line of houses with timber on the other side of them, and a long series of corn fields on the other. (I live in Illinois after all) I’m thinking of putting a handful of small kill plots on the other end of the property from the hay field because of how much cover there is. Especially since there is no other food in either of those two.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Those small deer I seen in this video reminded me of that spotted deer you had on video with horns. I still ain’t forgot that.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, that's for sure Randle!

[@whitetailrealityoutdoors958]

In middle TN white clover provides year round. Lol. It never gets cold enough to freeze it out. Lol.

[@xxpostitxx4843]

What piece of equipment are you using to lay / terminate the crops with your UTV / ATV?

[@randlerichardson5826]

My health ain’t goin the best so I’ve made up my mind that I’m slowing down hunting. I’m goin to fix my nephew he’s 8 a place to where he can hunt in the future. As long as the landowners are still here or their son keeps the farm in the family when they pass. I’m goin to do my best to buy it when it comes down to that. LORD willing that is Amen.

[@Hunting-fishing-trapshooting]

What’s your thoughts about winter peas? I’m in north central Pennsylvania (almost to ny) how would they fall into this? Would they be like beans? Corn? Greens? Thanks for the info

[@matureddeer2522]

Thanks again jeff,this is my best channel for habitat 👍 I have sandy ground,on average what do you recommend your clients to plant to hold deer on there property during hunting season? harvest salad, clover?i don't hunt over my food plots.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Whatever is the best chance of having a strong base if green food plot in November and them making it thru the season. Often layers of Winter rye, peas, oats, brassicas...planted sided by side not mixed. Sometimes just layered rye with sandy soil. Then if you have enough green to last to the end of the season - corn, and then beans if your greens and corn make it to the end of the season.

[@matureddeer2522]

Thanks👍

[@rfb7117]

Jeff, Again great information!!! To protect our beans and allow them to reach maturity, we put an electric fence around them last year. Unfortunately, when we removed the fencing the beans were eaten in less that two weeks, giving us little value for all the work. This year per your recommendations, we will be planting later and hoping to give them a tender green base during the entire fall and winter. Thanks, Bob

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That really sounds good Bob and thanks a lot for the feedback about the magic bean, lol. So many folks get bit and I am not saying that there is not a place for planting beans...in fact there truly is! BUT, there are far, far fewer lands that should have beans planted on them than hunters think. #1 food plot crop failure by far... Can't wait to see it happen for you this Fall!

[@stevegermain1222]

I just came across this video again I left message 9 months ago when you were good enough to reply I appreciate that I got 25 acres up in New York that I'm just getting logged off at this point everything 7in & Down Will Remain it's a short growing season so my theory is I'm just going to plant a whole lotta Rye this year it's basically in the center of 500 Acres standing Woods any suggestions on a companion plant my thoughts are slam some clover in the spring

[@cobratzi1]

In Texas you can have corn feeders, would that be sufficient (if you have multiple corn feeders) for your second step in the food pyramid?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I do believe that it can be...you just add that feeder to each and every plot. Makes a lot of sense...

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother just now getting to watch videos. People are just mad cause they don’t have plots and you have the deer on your place. They’ve bout got the hay cutting done on my lease. The guy cuttin it is so slow I don’t see how he gets anything done. It will be time for second cutting by the time he’s done with the first. I’d done had it done weeks ago but that’s me. I’ve got to wait till he’s done cause one of the best hay fields are where I’m putting a small plot in.

[@whitetailrealityoutdoors958]

I’ve seen 4.5 yr old bucks bed with 2.5 yr old bucks in bachelor groups bed together and close to does in sept. / early oct.

[@gavinmccarthy5953]

I hunt 310 acre private property just my brother and I. Is 40 acres of food plots to much? Thanks in advance I enjoy your videos very good information.

[@randlerichardson5826]

I’ve noticed the beans that they’ve been genetically modified so much that deer don’t eat them here like they used to. Years ago you could hunt a bean field here and certain places the beans looked like somebody took a bush hog and mowed them down where the deer eat them but they hardly touch them anymore.

[@johnnyballgame7339]

I think it's the herbicides. I planted a field of forage soybeans right next to a farmer's ag field full of soybeans. They mowed mine to the ground but his sprayed beans were tall and lush. I've also noticed the same thing with corn plots. I know there's probably no scientific evidence, but my experiential evidence has shown that if close in proximity, deer seem to prefer unsprayed food over those loaded with herbicides/fungicides/insecticides. Just IMO.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Johnny Ballgame I agree your right.

[@mr.mr.3301]

In the south deer did not show up to our food plots until December. Just not warm enough to be useful?

[@jasondiaz7611]

Overseeding brassicas into beans work well for me

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

For sure Jason! Works for oats, rye, wheat and clover to name a few others, too...

[@randlerichardson5826]

I have access to a tractor disc bush hog turning plow. I have a four wheeler myself. I’ve got the equipment to do the plots with.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It sounds like you sure do Randle!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Talking bout volume now would u plant say clover really thick or put a couple plots close to one another??? Thicker planting or couple plots.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Clover will self prune itself out...so you can't really plant it too thick. It depends on property layout for plot layout...

[@bch5513]

Totally have the mature buck relocation. Never in day.

[@Gabucks1]

What about iron clay peas as a fall crop?

[@davispinner6642]

Confused at 5 min in. Are you saying deer would rather not be nocturnal?

[@petit_sauvage88]

I have a new land 225 acres, I've never seen a place with less does. According to our pictures, we guess around 10 does. But we do have 6 big 5+ years old buck and about 10 young bucks. We are lokking to add food plot and I find really interesting the way you look at this. My question here is how to determine if you need to grow herd? Thank you Sam

[@carsonschulz6498]

From my experience, I’d do fall plots and make sure you have good fall cover for bucks. Does will come. Bucks are the hard part. A few years back I got a 160 acre farm in late summer that hadn’t been hunted in years but was mostly crp and a 30 acre hay field. Great bucks around that year. Only had corn in gravity feeders. Good sex ratio. Started the next spring planting 10 acres of forage beans and feeding protein over the spring and summer. Doe numbers shot up and over the summer, it was as if we had 3 bucks to every doe with one 3 year old that went from a 125” @2 to probably 180-190”. Put in 2 acres of fall plots and switched feeders to corn. By the end of September, was left with one mature buck in daylight once a week and a few more at midnight. Did it again last year thinking the prior year was a fluke, same thing except more does and fewer fall bucks. Found this channel in October 2019. This year my spring plans are chainsaw as much of the 30 acres of timber, put in 6 acres of switchgrass bedding, shrubs in diversity pockets and possibly plant buckwheat in June (have a Genesis 5 drill so don’t need the buckwheat for his no toll system, just for soil building/weed suppression). And this is coming from KS (not a fantasy land as Jeff likes to say, but the hunter numbers are lower than MI but the deer numbers are also drastically lower - I’ve never seen a field of 30-40 deer like you see in Jeff’s winter videos or outdoor tv shows in Iowa/MO/KY/OH - mature bucks wig out on new blinds and atv use just like WI too). I almost hired Jeff but too long a wait (March 2021 at earliest) and cost ($7k+, which after these next few weeks is going to seem like an even bigger price tag), plus I only got a response to a KZbin comment, never from the inquiry email. Best of luck to you and stay safe. Social distancing = alone with a chainsaw during furlough for me. If you have any questions just ask

[@hannahmay5461]

Just made a food plot and now I'm questioning myself lol

[@CMeister28]

Beans > corn, and less taxing on the soil. Plus as a legume they put nitrogen into the soil and pair extremely well with brassica, because we all know how expensive nitrogen is...plus deer will hit the soybeans before the corn when the temps get cold and you're still hunting and all the weekend warriors are sipping their tea by a fire

[@johnlund6358]

In Central MN, wetlands with a lot of farm land in area I have 11 acres. Would it be worth planting a winter food plot on small island?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

John...maybe? So many other factors to consider. The main goal would be to own the afternoon food plot movement for the entire hunting season...if possible.

[@johnlund6358]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 That was quick Thank You, Yes I would considered the food plot as owned all year. No one hunts on my parcel nor the adjoining parcels but I have no permission to hunt them. The parcels are rectangular with 400' width mostly aspen. No one really even goes back there as it's very thick and good part of the year wet. I watch your u-tube videos extensively and read your site, along with a lot on internet. Information on wetlands habitat solutions is largely lacking. I have doe that hold in area and in rut I have seen good buck. I will tell you hunting here is so different from hunting the mountains of PA where I am from. Thank You

[@randlerichardson5826]

Would you recommend mixing beans alfalfa clover and brassica all together or planting them separate brother?????

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Definitely planting them separately Randle...also you wouldn't want to plant brassica until mid to late August in your area. Now you could mix beans with your brassicas at that time. Looking for a leafy super blend...

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions ok sounds good

[@Minnesotalife]

If your goal is to fill a freezer, than a high antlerless count can be a good thing. If your goal is antlers than I can see your point.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

The goal should always be a good here...quality herd...so there is only one way 😉 plenty of meat in a quality herd! A land that is full of does is really bad for the habitat, herd and hunt...lots of meat tho, but a very poor balance. I hope that makes sense?

[@Minnesotalife]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 yes thank you

[@suzmell1]

Hey Jeff hope all is well great timing with your latest video on food plots just got off the phone ordered kits for testing ph of soil also was told if I tell them exactly what the planting is going to be they will explain exactly what is needed for that seed whatever it may be pretty cool I think so when you get a second let me know your thoughts great video as always so much info

[@garyjones5093]

Jeff. You mentioned that all the plots should have diversity, not just one specific item. How is that going to work if you have a 1.5-2 acre plot, with a little corn, a little beans, and some brassicas? Won’t the deer wipe out the fresh young sprouts of corn and beans on you? I’ve always been told, if you can’t plant at least three to four acres of beans or corn, don’t bother, they will wipe it out. Thanks for the info.

[@markbatzel]

That's kind of what I took from this. The pyramid he mentioned and showed. I am blessed that there are 30 acres of corn or beans right next to my land each year. The herd HAMMERS that tract of land hard all summer long. By the end of summer they are in the middle of the field b/c they have browsed everything closest to the timber. I am doing a single plot of clover this year to see how that works out.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Depends I think on your deer density, and space for food. I have low density , but not enough space for beans or corn so wouldnt make sense for me to plant those crops

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

A landowners should always work to provide green first that last until the end of the season. Once that base is filled...then a landowner can add corn. If green and corn make it to the end if the season then a landowner can add beans...but not before you have enough green diversity (for example type in "best food plot blends" on KZbin and check out my own methods) that lasts the season...then corn that lasts the season. On my plots I only have greens and have for the past 17 years in WI. I only had greens in the UP of MI for 10 years and for 3 years in lower MI. With that green I am able to attract the daylight focus of mature bucks for the entire neighborhood. My plots are only 2-3 acres out of 40-50 acres with moderate deer numbers...works incredibly well, but not if I wasted space on beans or corn. If I had enough room I would add corn next and maybe some beans...but beans would place too many does and fawns on the land for the summer and into the fall, so that probably wouldn't be a wise idea for me ..

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@stevedenoyer5956 for sure Steve...great points!!

[@sambilhorn9282]

Jeff, great video! Question... once plots are established annually, should a guy consider a spring cover crop like wheat to choke weeds, cover soil, and then crimp down when planting fall food? BTW, we brushed out the top field and got it sprayed down... going to be a great plot!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Sam! Hey do you have my food plot book? If so...check out Chapter 12. I've been planting that way and originated, experimented and establishied that concept back in the early 2000s. No fancy name...but it works 😉 and is what folks practice to this day...

[@sambilhorn9282]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I do have the book, should have looked there first! I'll take better notes this time!😉

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@sambilhorn9282 ha no problem 🙂 Wasn't sure if you had the book...let me know what you think!

[@sambilhorn9282]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Chapter 12, pages 128-130 "Growing Season Buckwheat, Hunting Season Annuals"... You nailed it. Hopefully that's what next year brings. For now I'm just trying to find the soil under 30 years of briers!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@sambilhorn9282 ha o can imagine...spray it and it will show eventually 🙂 I am most likely going thru the buckwheat rotation strategy this year. That system works! Works with rye in the spring too...just always make sure never to let rye or wheat go to seed during the late Summer...chokes out the good stuff 😉

[@robertboston9778]

Jeff, thank for your time and info passing in these videos/ My Area land is in Ohio - mixed perennial plots, clover, Birdsfoot Trifoil and chicory. Put in 2016, I've been broadcasting awnless winter wheat and Oats directly onto the established plots in mid Sep to help prolong the draw into and thru November - winter, and have early draw for turkeys in March - Apr. I have no option to have annual plots as I'm absent most of the year. Last year my Germ rate was poor - prolly > 10-15% Any suggestion on what to do with an established plot to get better grem rates thru those cold months? TYVM // Bob -- my three year blog on the the plots at Bowsite - Deerbuilder - www.bowsite.com/db/forums/thread.cfm?forum=4&threadid=462057&MESSAGES=76&FF=4

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Robert you are very welcome! That's s tough one...the perenials will shade out the cereal grains and you will never get a very %. Also, the clover/chicory/birdsfoot trefoil blend is not a great hunting season draw, let alone Winter. I would highly recommend my Ultimate No Till method. You only have to be there twice per year to plant and spray...that would be around 6/1 and then around 8/1. If you could spray 1 other time earlier in the Spring even better. For many years I drove 1 way 7 hours 4 times a year to plant and spray in WI. 56 hours of driving per year for 13 hours of work overall, and often in the same day...but so worth it! The only other option would be just simply discing and planting once per year, but even then a spraying 10 days prior is very important. Any way you can get some help? I can highly recommend Erich Long out if WI if you need someone local and of course I have turnkey partners Ross and Joel (brothers) who can help you out too.

[@karlherman9504]

First year planting wildlife blend sorghum ( milo). What's your thoughts?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Karl, I think it can be a great compliment to green based food plots...that 2nd level of diversity if there is already enough green to make it thru the season. I hope that makes sense! Really depends on the location, herd, neighbors and size of plots...

[@richardsnouffer7232]

🤔 He says, "...draws antlerless deer," like it's a BAD thing! 😕

[@alexlindekugel8727]

hmm i get why he talkes about mature bucks all the time but in my case i hunt for meat so weather it a doe or a buck if its large and healthy. all i much care about tho addmitidly did have a huge issue with way to maney does when first started hunting where i hunt now but it has goten alot better actuly see bucks now out of the rut.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hey, at least more meat to eat with a mature buck ☺️ I just like hunting...love the challenge of an older buck! Amazing how with less does, the bucks show up! Good luck this season!

[@bighoss8793]

Planting food plots just to go deer hunting is crazy.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

To cut down other hunters because you don't understand what they do or have any experience with what they do is completely inappropriate and a joy to the anti hunters. Congrats!

[@bighoss8793]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I am a hunter and I myself might put a little bait in the woods like a pail of corn. But if your going to start tilling the land, that's called farming and you might as well just buy a steer and put it out there. Just admit you're a little nuts.

[@bdbdwd]

@@bighoss8793 You do not have a qlue do you ?

[@bighoss8793]

@@bdbdwd What is a qlue?