Quality food plots are a vital part of what is needed when it comes to keeping wildlife with high-quality forage, all year long. We want all forms of wildlife that inhabit our farms to thrive. In order to make sure we reach this goal; we need to plant highly attractive and nutritious plants. These plants should fill in the gaps of forage production, where Mother Nature would often produce. Late summer and winter are often two major stress periods for deer. This is due to harsh land and environmental conditions and often leads to shortages of quality forage.

In late summer, does are still nursing fawns and need all the nutrition that they can get. This is crucial for milk production and allowing the next generation to become healthy adult deer. Bucks are often finishing up their antler growth and starting to put on weight. The weight they put on during this time is crucial for these deer to make it through the increased demands of the upcoming rut. If a manager doesn’t have quality food sources in place and the native habitat hasn’t been managed well, late summer with its dry conditions, can often lead to little food and reduce antler size and fawn growth.

Similarly, in the late winter before the spring green up, deer can be left with little to no naturally occurring food. Bucks are still trying to recover from the previous rut, fall hunting season, and beginning their antler growth cycle. While does are in the later stages of pregnancy and both sexes are needing quality forage to keep their bodies and immune systems at an optimum level.

Providing high-end forage in the way of food plots is an excellent choice for a wildlife manager to reduce the stress of these extreme times. At PWM, we have all the tools and experience necessary to install and manage quality food plots. We assess from the start of the planning process everything that is needed for the property, from where the food plots should go on the property, selecting best soil types, and proper soil testing. We also assess what different types of tools and equipment will be required, from skid steers, excavators, and loaders. Or whether the property will require food plots in standing timber or clearing any debris to make it ready to plant. This may also mean considering types of tillage equipment, to smooth the plot, spreaders to apply lime, and sprayers to apply herbicide (to kill unwanted vegetation). At PWM we like to employ tools, such as no-till planters to plant seed at the proper depth without disturbing the soil.

PWM is well versed in regenerative agriculture practices. We want to consider things like soil health and we regularly incorporate these principles in our food programs and plans. Our team has managed and planted well over 3,000 acres of food plots in the past 10 years. We have seen and overcome the common and most extreme pitfalls of the food plot managing experience. We have experience with all types of barriers in considering each category of wildlife, from dove, deer, quail, turkey, duck impoundments, wildflowers, native habitat restoration, pasture renovation, erosion control, and anything in between. We have overcome, planted, and seen success. When you invest in quality food plots, your wildlife will thrive.