I have a great job. I get to talk "Deer" to hundreds of hunters from across North America all year long. The kind of hunters who think about deer 24/7, guys whose Wives and Girlfriends think they are nuts. My kind of guys.
While talking to these fanatics, one conversation almost always comes up...."I buy quality seed, run soil tests, and fertilize, my food-plots are a thing of beauty, like something from a magazine, however, all I see are does and small bucks.
My advice to them? "Back Off!"
By "Back Off", I mean move those Box Blinds, Ladder and Loc-On Stands back off the food plot. The biggest mistake I see hunters make is to set their stand right "on top" of their food plots. Move those blinds and stands 10-100 yards off the plot, preferably on the downwind side. Brush in around your blinds/stands to help them blend in with the surroundings. I know one very successful hunter who actually builds "Camo Walls" leading to and from his blinds. By doing this he does not spook or educate the deer to the blind location.
Another consideration is when hunting food plots, try to only hunt them once a week, and only during the afternoon hours. Morning hunts tend to run deer off the plots. A food plot should be a place for deer to feed, and feel safe. A relaxed deer is a dead deer!
So the next time you visit your hunting property, go to the center of the food plot and see how you can "Back Off". This will lead to more deer and bigger bucks.
-Coming next- Using Decoys for Doe Management
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