What should I plant for turkey's next spring?

[yoderjac]

I'm not sure where the creek is. I presumed you came in from the hard top road to the far north. Is that incorrect? There are a lot of things I won't know about your property. Only you can figure it out. Just to be clear, I'm talking about planting the South West part of the area outlined in white. Which I understand to the the North West corner of the 2 acre field from your previous pic. Understanding where you come from, how you approach your stand, and the wind direction is an important consideration.

 

[EarthySpirit]

Yes, I like the idea of planting the SE field for sure, but not sure if I should plant the field next to it. If you look closely, you will see the creek bordering the 2 fields to the south. And yes, you are correct, I park my truck just off the road to the north and walk the ridge shown cut into hay in the pic.

 

[yoderjac]

Yes, I like the idea of planting the SE field for sure, but not sure if I should plant the field next to it. If you look closely, you will see the creek bordering the 2 fields to the south. And yes, you are correct, I park my truck just off the road to the north and walk the ridge shown cut into hay in the pic.

Correction: I meant South West part of the area outlined in white which would be the North West part of the the 2 acres you identified. Gobblers like to roost over water and pitch down where they can see and feel safe. An open clover field is a great place to strut as hens feed. I would think deer (if bedded where you suggest) would go past your stands to head to this area. If you plant the SE corner of the 2 acres, they may cut through the neighboring property depending on pressure.

There are many, many more factors than I can analyze looking at a map. You've got the boots on the ground. My gut reaction is to start there, but as I said, there are way more factors to analyze than I can do from afar. Think big picture beyond your own property, understand were in-season pressure will come from on other land. Understand what deer have available nearby. Then make a long-term plan and execute it.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[g squared 23]

I’d put out summa this

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[EarthySpirit]

Correction: I meant South West part of the area outlined in white which would be the North West part of the the 2 acres you identified. Gobblers like to roost over water and pitch down where they can see and feel safe. An open clover field is a great place to strut as hens feed. I would think deer (if bedded where you suggest) would go past your stands to head to this area. If you plant the SE corner of the 2 acres, they may cut through the neighboring property depending on pressure.

There are many, many more factors than I can analyze looking at a map. You've got the boots on the ground. My gut reaction is to start there, but as I said, there are way more factors to analyze than I can do from afar. Think big picture beyond your own property, understand were in-season pressure will come from on other land. Understand what deer have available nearby. Then make a long-term plan and execute it.

Thanks,

Jack

Ok, now that makes sense. I have a row of mature oaks 60 yards above the field I would think turkeys would like to roost in. I think whatever plans I make for the propertty, I can't see going wrong turning at least one of the plots into clover, possibly both.

 

[r49740]

Not to hijack your thread, but I planted similar this year. Mainly for some weed suppression and soil benefits as I just started working this place in the last 2 years. For the cereal rye, when do you all spray and mow down to replant with something else? As early as can get on it in the spring if switching some over to corn or beans, or wait until much later to let turkeys next and feed and plant something else?

 

[yoderjac]

Not to hijack your thread, but I planted similar this year. Mainly for some weed suppression and soil benefits as I just started working this place in the last 2 years. For the cereal rye, when do you all spray and mow down to replant with something else? As early as can get on it in the spring if switching some over to corn or beans, or wait until much later to let turkeys next and feed and plant something else?

Mowing it in the spring won't kill it. That makes it a great nurse crop for fall planted clover. You can spray it and use a no-till drill to plant beans and corn on the same day. So, when you soil temps and conditions are ready for whatever you are planting, you can spray the WR right after you plant. If you want to keep it low for turkey, you can mow it as frequently as you like in the spring to keep it at the height you want.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[EarthySpirit]

Ok, here is what I'm thinking. Let me know your thoughts. Since I did not kill the grasses in those plots this fall, I figure I will do a control burn of the plots some time in Feb/March, so that when turkey season some around, everything will be short and green for bugging. After turkey season, I'll kill everything, then in August sow clover with a nurse crop of winter rye into the organic material leftover in preparation for deer season. What do you think? Thanks!

 

[yoderjac]

Ok, here is what I'm thinking. Let me know your thoughts. Since I did not kill the grasses in those plots this fall, I figure I will do a control burn of the plots some time in Feb/March, so that when turkey season some around, everything will be short and green for bugging. After turkey season, I'll kill everything, then in August sow clover with a nurse crop of winter rye into the organic material leftover in preparation for deer season. What do you think? Thanks!

Sounds like a plan.