Have you ever noticed that the first plants to return in a plowed, scraped, or otherwise disturbed area are weeds? Although this may not seem like much, these natural food plots could be of big benefit to your deer management program. When exposed to air, light, and water, seeds that were lying dormant in the soil begin to germinate following soil disturbance. These young, succulent plants are high in nutrient value and attract a variety of wildlife species looking for valuable forage, particularly white-tailed deer.
Disturbed sites can also serve as excellent food plot locations to supplement white-tailed deer diets during the stressful late winter or late summer periods. Areas can be lightly disked during late winter for the production of spring annuals, and then be heavily disked in early fall for winter food plots. This process can be repeated over and over and you can even sprinkle in some seeds during the spring disking to enhance the plot. Remember, you are trying to create supplemental food for deer. You are not trying to grow a lawn. It does not have to look like a perfect stand of manicured plants. Continue reading “Whitetail Deer Food Plots Without Planting”
Albino white-tailed deer may be neat to see, but did you know that a true albino occurs in only one of out of 100,000 births and very few fawns survive beyond the first year of life? It’s absolutely true. For an albino deer to live over just a few years in the wild is extremely unusual, almost unheard of. But if you think about the high mortality rate of these anomalies, it actually makes sense for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, these facts offer no comfort to an albino.
First, most of the whitetail’s range consists of habitat that is dominated by the colors green and brown—not white. The whitetail’s range includes the entire western-half of the US. Most of that area has a relatively long growing season, especially the south. Albino deer definitely have the odds in their favor during the winter season in snow-covered areas, but the deck is still stacked against them over the remainder of the year in most places.
VIDEO: Albino Buck in White County, illinois
Seeing an Albino: The Odds are Against You
Animal coloration is based on the process of natural selection within all wildlife species. The coloration best suited for survival becomes the dominant (normal) color within a species. There are always abnormalities within a species, but most are relatively small variations of the norm. Albino animals are quite the opposite. They stand out!
Color mutations occur infrequently overall in deer and other wildlife, but if those color variations were well-suited for the environment, then those “oddly” colored animals would survive to breed and pass on their genes. If genetics cause an animal to stick out, such as a white deer in a primarily green or brown environment, then the animal will be more noticeable to natural predators, including humans.
This results in the animal being depredated by a coyote or wolf, or possibly harvested by a hunter simply because it’s much easier to see. In either case, the color abnormality does not benefit the white animal. This increased level of mortality is Mother Nature’s way of saying “no.” There is no doubt that albino deer would have the upper hand in a perennial, snow-laden landscape.
In such a situation, albino deer would have the upper hand on both two and four-legged predators, the number of white-colored animals would increase and soon begin to comprise the majority of the breeding population.
True Albino or Just White?
The albino whitetail buck seen above is a true albino deer. In cases of true albinism, albino deer lack pigmentation in the hair, skin, and, in the case of deer, the iris of the eyes. However, eyes can be pink or blue and the hoofs a pale gray. In some areas, albino deer are even protected by law. In the state of Wisconsin, for example, white and albino deer are protected from hunting.
However, most states do not protect deer with color abnormalities. In addition, deer and other wildlife can be white in color without being albinos. Leucism is a partial loss of pigmentation, which can cause an animal to look white without the animal being an actual albino.
To sum up, albinos are interesting animals in general, and albino white-tailed deer, specifically, are really cool. Albino deer are genetic phenomenons that physically do not make sense, at least in most cases, within their natural environment. However, under certain environmental conditions, such as in areas where snow cover remains throughout the year, it would be the best thing going.
So although most of us will never see a wild albino deer, if you do, then just consider the odds, then consider yourself lucky. Next, go buy a lotto ticket!
Food plots have become widely used deer management practices, but not all plots are created equal. Cool-season (fall and winter) food plots for white-tailed deer are not as susceptible to drought or weed competition when compared to warm-season (spring) food plots. This fact holds true for cool season food plots found throughout the whitetail’s range in most cases.
One exception may be legumes, which may require delayed planting if rainfall is deficient in the early fall months of September and October. Cool-season plant species can be planted on either upland or bottomland sites because of cooler temperatures and increased water availability during fall and winter periods.
Cool Season Food Plots for Deer
Cool season forages commonly consist of oats, rye, ryegrass, wheat, arrowleaf clover, sweetclover, subterranean clover, Austrian winter peas, and brassicas. Various seed companies provide a plethora of cool-season seed mixes that incorporate a number of plants into a single food plot mix.
Food plot mixes are the preferred way to go. I always recommend that deer managers use food plot mixes, especially in new food plots or where low input from the land manager is expected. Without a lot of time and or soil amendments, it’s difficult to say what will grow well. Using a seed mix ensures that the land manager will have success with at least a couple of species in the mix.
Although at least 2-3 plant species are suggested in fall and winter food plots, I recommend that spring plots contain a minimum of 3-4 plant species. A variety of plant species will ensure that not all of your eggs are in one basket. If you research the recommended whitetail forage plants for your area, then choose several of those, the potential success of your food plot goes up dramatically.
This is especially true if you go with a low cost, cool season food plot and do not plan on investing in a soil test or fertilizer for your plantings. However, a soil test and appropriate fertilizer and liming as recommended by that soil test is highly recommended for optimal results.
Cool Season Food Plots: Mix it Up
Although commercial food plot seed mixes are readily available, you can also mix up your own concoction after doing some research and heading down to your local feed store or seed dealer. Seed mixes, regardless of whether they are purchased commercially or home-made, these are often good choices because with the variety of seeds in the mix at least some of them will be very conducive to the soil type where your food plot is found.
Though seed and forage research on your part can help your the success of your cool season food plots, always get a soil test and perform the necessary measures to ensure you are planting under optimal conditions. Otherwise, you likely will be wasting valuable time and money. Deer management is not just about food plots, but they can be an important component in providing the animals found on your property with supplemental forage when they need it most.
Warm-season (Spring-Summer) plant species are most reliable, work best when food plots for white-tailed deer are located in bottomland habitat. This out-performance is because low-lying sites retain the highest amount of soil moisture is during the dry, summer months. This is important information to remember for the success of your food plot, as well as your overall deer management program.
However, care should be taken to select a site that is not prone to flooding from nearby streams, rivers, or other waterways. Flooding is not necessarily a bad idea if we were talking about food plots for waterfowl, but no so much when we think about food plots for deer. Also, should the plot also be expected to serve as a food source and hunting area during cooler months a flooded out food plot is going to offer you zero access.
Warm Season Food Plots are Hot
On the other hand, dry upland sites are not good sites for warm-season deer plots, so try avoid such areas and stick to the better soils on your hunting property to increase your odds of a successful food plot. Of course, not every property has moisture-rich bottomland soil. In this case, position plots at least 50 yards from woodlands, since nearby trees will wick water from upland soils.
But if you have the option, go to the lower elevations of the property because that is where the water is found. This seems simple, and it is, but it can make a huge difference between a successful warm season foraging site for deer and a complete failure of a food plot.
Fast Growers for Spring & Summer Plots
Warm-season plant species should be selected for their ability to grow quickly and compete with native weeds. Remember, with either warm or cool-season supplemental forages, soil samples should be taken to determine lime and fertilizer requirements. Failure to properly prepare the soil may result in drastically reduced yield or excessive weed competition. A good source for local information will be your county extension agent and they can usually help with soil testing for your food plots.
So whether you are planning on establishing a cool (fall) season food plot or a spring food plot, the best thing you can do is ensure you do your research before doing anything else. There are many commercial sources for seed, but check around with several sources before you make your selection. Seed sources have a vested interest in selling you seeds, but it may not be the best seed for your soil — or for the deer on your property. Good luck with your future food plots and deer management program.
Talking Food Plots and Deer Hunting
If you have any questions about warm season food plots or any other inquiries regarding white-tailed deer hunting or management, just drop me a line in the comment box.
