A deer food plot is a dedicated patch of cultivated forage designed to provide supplemental nutrition for the local deer population, improving their health and attracting them to a specific area. Creating a food plot in the woods, as opposed to an open agricultural field, fundamentally changes its purpose and design. These smaller, secluded plots are effective because they offer deer the security of dense cover while they feed, encouraging daytime movement and holding them on the property. This strategy leverages the deer’s natural instinct to remain near safety, making the woodland plot a reliable staging area.
Selecting the Ideal Location
The primary limiting factor is sunlight, and the chosen location must receive a minimum of four to six hours of direct or filtered sun exposure daily for forage to grow successfully. Canopy trees directly overhead must be removed or significantly trimmed to achieve at least 30 to 50 percent sunlight penetration.
Locating the plot near established bedding areas, water sources, or natural travel corridors, such as saddlebacks or creek bottoms, greatly increases its effectiveness. Unlike large open fields, woodland plots are typically small, irregularly shaped, or linear, often measuring one-tenth to one-quarter of an acre. These small shapes are often called “staging areas” because they allow deer to feed comfortably while remaining close to the protective cover of the forest edge. The chosen spot also needs adequate drainage, as low-lying areas that retain water will quickly drown the developing seed.
Preparing the Plot Site and Soil
Physical removal of trees and brush creates the necessary opening. Chainsaws and clearing equipment, such as forestry mulchers, are used to fell trees and cut brush. Mulching is advantageous because it grinds debris into the topsoil, avoiding the loss of the nutrient-rich organic layer that occurs with bulldozing. Once the physical debris is removed, any remaining weeds, grasses, and small woody growth should be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate to kill all competing vegetation down to the root. Wait approximately two weeks after spraying to ensure the herbicide has fully translocated through the plants before proceeding with soil disturbance.
Soil Testing and Liming
After clearing and spraying, a soil test must be performed to determine the existing pH and nutrient profile, which are almost universally poor in a forested environment. Most forage plants thrive in a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0, and the test results will indicate the exact amount of lime needed to neutralize the acidity.
For remote plots lacking access for heavy machinery, pelletized lime is the practical choice, as it can be spread with an ATV-mounted spreader and reacts faster than bulk agricultural lime. However, pelletized lime is more expensive and requires more frequent reapplication compared to agricultural lime, which offers longer-lasting soil correction but needs specialized equipment.
Once the lime is applied, necessary fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are incorporated according to the soil test recommendations. The final step in preparation is creating a fine seedbed by disking or tilling the soil to a depth of four to six inches. This process breaks up compaction, mixes the amendments into the root zone, and provides the loose earth necessary for successful seed germination.
Choosing and Planting Effective Forage
Forage selection for a woodland plot must prioritize shade tolerance, as even a well-cleared area will still receive less intense light than an open field. Perennial white clovers, such as Ladino or Durana, are the preferred foundation for these plots because they can tolerate partial shade and provide highly nutritious forage for several years. Chicory is another excellent option, as its deep taproot allows it to thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions and provides forage during the summer months.
Certain cool-season annuals, like rapeseed and annual ryegrass, are also suitable for the lower light levels found in the woods. Brassicas require more sunlight than clover, so they are best reserved for locations with the highest light exposure. Most woodland plots are planted by broadcasting the seed evenly over the prepared seedbed. Good seed-to-soil contact is paramount, achieved by lightly dragging a chain harrow or cultipacking the area after broadcasting to press the small seeds into the soil surface. Optimal planting time for perennial clovers and cool-season annuals is typically late summer through early fall, allowing the plants to establish before the stress of winter.
Maintaining the Food Plot
Consistent maintenance is required to ensure the food plot remains productive beyond the first season. Perennial plots, especially clover, benefit from periodic mowing to a height of six to eight inches, as clipping the tops stimulates new, tender growth that deer prefer. Mowing also helps to suppress broadleaf weeds that may try to compete with the planted forage.
Weed control is a continuous effort, with grass competition being a major threat to clover plots. Grass-selective herbicides containing the active ingredient clethodim are effective for killing grasses without harming the broadleaf clover plants. For broadleaf weeds in a pure clover stand, a selective herbicide like 2,4-DB can be used, or they can be controlled by simply mowing the plot before the weeds produce seed. Finally, the plot will benefit from yearly booster applications of fertilizer, guided by subsequent soil tests, to replace nutrients removed from the soil by forage growth and deer consumption.