UpperMIhunter

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I hunt in Upper Michigan as my name shows and I am interested in planting a winter food plot in order to keep deer feeding on my property in the winter and give the deer needed food in the heart of the winter where there isn't much out to get at during these cold months. I currently manage 3 food plots that have a blend of seeds. However, as soon as the ground freezes, the deer seem to stop using the food plots. I also hunt in an area with very low soil ph level with mostly cedar and white pines. Any suggestions.

doughboysigep

I am no expert and don't have any data to support this but....it seems that once the snow gets too deep (1"+) and or when it gets a crust on top they just don't dig for forage too much. they do more browsing then. if that is indeed the case (not saying it is 100% true) then nothing you plant for winter feed will work in your climate. Standing corn could be an option but sounds like the pH will limit you there. Don't know if it's legal, but corn products are sure to provide deer (& turkeys, squirrels, etc) with feed. NY has restrictions on feeding deer (concerns with CWD), however a little cracked corn never hurts []. Maybe berry producing shrubs that tolerate your conditions might be a way to go??

osiris

Brassica is the answer to your question. Good carb. and protien levels. Grows to about 2 foot. You will, however, need to get your PH to at least 6 before planing. Also, you might want to consider doing some browse cuts and "hindge" cutting of desirable trees. Corn is o.k. but offers very little nutritional value to whitetails. Best if it is mixed with other things suck as alflafa and oats to increase protein levels to sustain body weights. TGK

NY Bowhunter

How is winter wheat for a winter food plot? I went shed hunting yesterday. I saw 0 tracks in old cut corn fields. I saw some tracks in standing corn fields. I saw most of them in a winter wheat field where they were digging pretty hard for it. Also there seemed to be a lot of activity in a soybean field that was never harvested but buried pretty good with snow (kinda surprised me).