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Post by robinvt on Feb 22, 2006 20:19:58 GMT
Hey Tom, that was quick! Ok, I'll start. I have about a dozen or so food plots on my property. They vary from clover, alfalfa, and chichory to oats, corn, sunflowers, buckwheat, and soybeans. Here is a picture from one of my clover plots. Ok, one more just inside the woods from an alfalfa plot. Anyone else doing habitat work? . . . Rob
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Post by MK-M-GOBL on Feb 22, 2006 20:46:41 GMT
So, I take it that you like it? ;D I wish I had land of my own that I could plan food plots I often thought on some of the property I hunt, if I talked to the landowner would they let me plan food plots. I think at least three of the properties I hunt, they would. Is there a way to plant a food plot with out having to work land?
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Post by robinvt on Feb 22, 2006 21:00:25 GMT
Depends on your definition of "working the land". There are some No Plow blends that are available, but they don't work well when you just throw them on the ground. You are much better off if you can rake all the leaves and sticks off the area and get it down to bear dirt. Then spread your seed and walk on it or drive a 4 wheeler on it to get good seed to soil contact. Most likely some lime should be added as well ($2.50 for a 50lb bag at Agway). This is one way to do out of the way places. An oat/brassica plot in August: Clover in mid April, just greening up: . . . Rob
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Post by MK-M-GOBL on Feb 22, 2006 21:24:32 GMT
I didn't add it to my first post so I'm adding it now! Nice photos ;D
What would you suggest to someone that doesn't own a tractor or the equipment to plow, disc or food plotting tools? Could you get away with making food plots by renting a rototiller?
Sorry for hitting with these question but you now have my attention on making food plots ;D
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Post by robinvt on Feb 22, 2006 21:40:07 GMT
Here is my method of choice ;D I realize that I am very lucky in having it! A rototiller would work fine, in fact that's what I use (except mine is attached to the back of the tractor). Another option is some ATV attachements, although I believe that these are usually too light and usually don't work as well as they claim.
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Post by b4rifle on Feb 22, 2006 21:44:06 GMT
nice photos, I once ran a land management company geared toward wildlife. Most of our work was species specific logging and land clearing. I usually plant a few small plots on my parents land, but to do it right you have to put in the time. I'm usually short on time.
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Post by browning204 on Feb 23, 2006 14:01:37 GMT
Does anyone know what I could use for a smaller food plot? people often tell me to buy the biologic stuff in a bag. How much care can I expect to give to the plot as far as reseeding and other stuff? Just looking for info. so I can start one up and have an Idea of what I am doing! thanks
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Post by troutpro on Feb 24, 2006 12:33:44 GMT
Interesting subject. I think things are working out pretty good around here so I won't plant any plots anytime soon. We have our corn, alfalfa, clover, and hay fields. Looks like some nice land robinvt. How many acres do you own?
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Post by robinvt on Feb 24, 2006 12:59:27 GMT
We have 95 acres which is about 50 wooded and 45 fields/openings. I currently have about 4.5 acres of plots in.
A couple of things to keep in mind.
First, there is so much more to habitat improvement and land management than food plots. We also brush-hog the openings every fall, hay the fields, release apple and oak trees (means cutting the brush under them and trees around them so they can get sunlight), plant new trees and bushes, and even logged the wooded area about 4 years ago. The browes are really coming in nice now. Lots of saplings, berry bushes, and undergrowth.
Secondly, you don't need alot of land to make a difference. Any piece than can be improved is a help to wildlife. Even if you can release an apple tree and put a little fertilizer around the drip line you are making an improvement.
Give it a try, it's a lot of fun and very rewarding!
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Post by troutpro on Feb 24, 2006 15:34:06 GMT
My dad brush hogs where needed. This year I went through the woods and cleared the logging trail after the freezing rain. Still have some work to get done, but we have to use a chain saw for the rest.
Since we own a dairy farm we own a lot of land. Over 150 acres behind our house. It's nice owning private land. You have a lot of nice wild life. I am planning on getting out and doing more scouting. If I get some pics I will post them for you.
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Post by browning204 on Feb 25, 2006 1:07:08 GMT
troutpro: we are still waiting for an invite to hunt that 150 acres! you just let us know
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Post by troutpro on Feb 25, 2006 1:51:05 GMT
robinvt-Something I didn't notice before, that doe by the fawn doesn't look right. Was it caused from it having a fawn recently? If I ever need any advise on land management I now know who to come to. Is land management only something you do on your private property or do you do it on public land to? Those pictures look nice. The first picture looks like its from a trail cam, what about the rest? Sorry for all the questions.
browning204- The only problem with our land behind our house is that two farmers own land beside ours and have hunters on it. People learned pretty quick after we moved up here not to trespass though. lol
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Post by robinvt on Feb 25, 2006 2:31:40 GMT
troutpro, The picture of the fawn and doe was taken on Aug 9, 2005. Are you referring to the doe looking skinny? The fawn is probably a month and a half to two months old. Her size is fairly typical for these parts. Here she is trying to put some weight back on with a brassica leaf in her mouth. I run the central Vermont chapter of the NWTF. Most of our habitat work is done on private property. The state doesn't give out much permission for work to be done on state land, so we arent able to do much right now. Still working on getting permission though. The first picture of the Tom is actually from a video camera. All of the other pictures I have posted are from a game camera. I have a Lakota cam which uses an Olympus 2.0 mp digital camera.
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Post by troutpro on Feb 25, 2006 3:42:02 GMT
I was referring to the doe being skinny. I guese the doe in our area have a bit more meat on them. Sounds like a pretty cool line of work. I am planning on having a career or at least a part time job in a line of work similiar to that. I will take the digital out tomorrow to take some pictures of our property and some game on our property. Maybe I will even set up a game cam.
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Post by robinvt on Feb 25, 2006 15:18:11 GMT
You also need to keep in mind that most of the weight doe put on are from Aug through Oct. This doe came through a long north east winter and then had a fawn in mid June. She then needs to produce milk for a period of time for the fawn. By the time Aug rolls around, she is finally able to bulk her self up to prepare for the winter. By the time Oct gets here, she will look like a fat doe again
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