Food Plots
Building a Better Whitetail Habitat
For landowners, there’s a lot more to whitetail food plots than just tossing food on the ground. When you’re someone who isn’t content with run-of-the-mill whitetails, building a smart food plot can truly transform your property into a hunter’s paradise. Investing time and energy in creating a quality food plot goes a long way toward promoting deer health, growth, and overall hunting success.
How to Plan for a Whitetail Food Plot
Keep these key things in mind when planning a food plot:
1. Location, Location, Location
- Creek Bottoms: Offer moist soil and are naturally well-traveled by deer.
- Hilltops: Provide excellent visibility and wind control.
- Edges: A transition zone between open and wooded areas.
2. Layout
- Long, Narrow Plots: Deer will be encouraged to move through a long plot, rather than just camp out in one spot.
- Hourglass Shape: Provides a natural funneling pattern that encourages deer into predictable movements.
- Easy Access: A great food plot is worthless if you can’t sneak in and out undetected.
3. Size Matters
- Small Plots: Ranging from .5 – 1 acre, a small plot is effective for bowhunting setups and quick attraction.
- Larger Plots: Between 3-5 acres allows for plenty of food that deer return to all season long.
- Multiple Plots: Several small plots spread out around your property can create strategic hunting options.
Ideal Food Plot Crops
One crop works fine, but a good blend of different crops will make sure your deer are fed all year. Consider seasonal crops for long-term success:
Spring
Clover, alfalfa, and chicory. These crops are full of protein and promote antler growth.
Summer
Soybeans and cowpeas. Deer will stay on your land longer for these heavy feeders.
Fall
Brassicas, turnips, and cereal grains. Whitetail can’t resist these plants during hunting season.
Winter
Winter wheat and rye. When other food sources are scarce, these crops provide a dependable source for deer.
Ideal Food Plot Crops
One crop works fine, but a good blend of different crops will make sure your deer are fed all year. Consider seasonal crops for long-term success:
Spring
Clover, alfalfa, and chicory. These crops are full of protein and promote antler growth.
Summer
Soybeans and cowpeas. Deer will stay on your land longer for these heavy feeders.
Fall
Brassicas, turnips, and cereal grains. Whitetail can’t resist these plants during hunting season.
Winter
Winter wheat and rye. When other food sources are scarce, these crops provide a dependable source for deer.
How Hillcrest Lumber Can Help
Food plots don’t just happen — they’re built. At Hillcrest Lumber, we’re here to help with the heavy lifting. Often, the most beneficial move for your food plot is to remove some trees. Our team can help with:
- Strategic tree removal for more sunlight.
- Reduced growth competition that improves the health of your soil.
- Creating thriving crops by improving growth conditions.
Steps Towards Bigger Bucks
1. Pick a Plan
From our three options, pick the perfect plan that aligns with your preferences, land, and budget.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
We’ll assess your property and provide a customized plan of action based on your chosen option and land management needs.
3. Score a Trophy Buck
Whether you decide to carry the plan out on your own or you hire Hillcrest Lumber and Whitetail Habitat Designs to execute it, your woodland will become a haven for bigger bucks and lots of them.
Whitetail Habitat Designs Partnership
Through our partnership with Whitetail Habitat Designs, Hillcrest Lumber offers a complete, step-by-step plan to make your land perfect for whitetails. We focus on creating a balanced ecosystem that combines food, water, and cover to attract and sustain wildlife. By strategically removing large standing timber and incorporating habitat necessities, your property will become the ideal hunting ground for trophy bucks.
Whitetail Habitat Essentials
- Food plots provide year-round nutrition and attract deer to specific areas of your property.
- Water holes offer accessible hydration for deer and other wildlife.
- Licking branches promote natural deer behavior and movement.
- Travel corridors ensure safe pathways for deer to move through your property.
- Screening creates natural barriers to privacy and security.
- Security covers provide a safe environment that encourages deer to stay on your land.
