Cleeby

Ok, now its down to brass tacks folks. I have had my plots done for nearly one month (9/14/02 planted). I put in Ladino clover with a Rye cover crop. I really got lucky, as one day after planting, it rained gently all day. We have had ample moisture since then. My plots are on the small side due to the rugged terrain.

They came up quickly and within two weeks the rye was 4-6" high with the ladino coming in nicely underneath. As I watched at least weekly the rye did not seem to get much higher. As I suspected the deer were beginning to hit it quite hard. Well this past week I was out archery hunting and noticed that the rye was virtually all gone. I am not sure whether or not the deer have actually pulled the rye out by the roots, but now the plots are polluted with ladino clover and not much rye. I planted the same combination last year and the rye got to atleast 10-12" high before the deer started mowing it and they never completely exhausted this plot of rye. It is a bigger plot of about one acre. I am just curious if anyone else has experienced this problem. I really should have put out baskets in each plot to fet a real handle but I did not. I was really anticipating good hunts over two of these plots during the rye growth, but now I need to alter my plans a bit.

If anyone out there has any constructive feedback I would love to hear it. Yeah Greg I mean &quot;constructive&quot;. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Kevin C.

timbercruiser

We usually plant two or three times as much seed as would normally be necessary. Not only will the deer pull it up before the little roots have a chance to catch on, but the dang turkeys will terminate the plots. We have tried alumimun pans, bright ribbons or somethng like wind chimes and thus far not much luck. The turkeys are the worst.

farm hunter

Cleeby,


Sounds great, Either you have more deer, or the location(s) are better, but do not fret it. The deer will still come to feed on what they can &quot;scrounge up&quot; from the plot(s) this fall. I'd be very surprised if the rye's all pulled up by the roots.

You'll probably even be surprised how much rye will shoot up in the spring. Rye handles grazing (browsing) extremely well, and once established, has a huge root system - that over winters very well. In fact, if the ladino comes on well next spring, you'll wish there wasn't so much rye there. Remember to let the rye come to a head before mowing it off, that will leave the clover to flourish without competing with the rye. If you mow too soon, rye will keep on comin' due to its superior root system - its &quot;goal&quot; is to head out, once that is done, it will not keep growing after mowing.

Good luck hunting this fall -

lawnfarmer

Cleeby, I don't think the deer understand what you are trying to do for them. Perhaps you should talk to them about it. This isn't constructive feed-back, sometimes I just don't know what comes over me. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> terry<img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>

LIVE FREE OR DIE

lunchbucket

Hit that forage with some fertilizer and growth stimulant... Make sure your soil pH is up and get ready to make a difference.

Romans 10:9 Psalms 42

Cleeby

Thanks for the reply's gents. LF I would really like to get a little face to face time with some of the bucks I have pictures of <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>. I am not sure what lingo they are speaking right now but I have been actively trying to communicate with them without alot of success. You'll see the pictures if I get one to talk. The rut is soon approaching and they will be a little more bold. Just want one within thirty yards. I will keep trying!!

Thanks again guys.

Kevin C.