buckvelvet
5 year old buck +
We affectionately call it pecker plot.
We affectionately call it pecker plot.
phil@thesidehill
5 year old buck +
does it get bigger during the rut?
buckvelvet
5 year old buck +
Yes it seems to get straighter as the season progresses.
buckvelvet
5 year old buck +
Gets harder and harder to work with every year........
phil@thesidehill
5 year old buck +
That's the fert that gives a field a blue hue before a good couple of rains....then it really straightens things out in that field!
buckvelvet
5 year old buck +
If the GE ever updates we will one day be able to show the world the sack we planted underneath it for spite last summer. :)
So, before I saw the post by Buckvelvet, I was going to say, "I like to make plots that are long and not too wide"...but that seems grossly inappropriate at this point! :D
Seriously, I think adding "fingers" to plots is a very good idea. For those who have set up decoys for diver ducks, it's almost like the classic "J" hook layout, where deer will hit that long finger, or trail of food, and follow it to the larger section of the plot. On one property we have plots and trails connected in an almost continuous loop around an area about 6 acres in size, with the actual plots making up less than half of the area. This is a subjective thing, but it "seems" like bucks travel around in circles, monitoring the different plots and trail sections. it offers several good locations to bow-hunt, but is mostly set up for rifle. I think the shape of a plot is not nearly as important as the overall size and the amount of cover adjacent to it.
Seriously, I think adding "fingers" to plots is a very good idea. For those who have set up decoys for diver ducks, it's almost like the classic "J" hook layout, where deer will hit that long finger, or trail of food, and follow it to the larger section of the plot. On one property we have plots and trails connected in an almost continuous loop around an area about 6 acres in size, with the actual plots making up less than half of the area. This is a subjective thing, but it "seems" like bucks travel around in circles, monitoring the different plots and trail sections. it offers several good locations to bow-hunt, but is mostly set up for rifle. I think the shape of a plot is not nearly as important as the overall size and the amount of cover adjacent to it.
B
BJE80
Guest
How wide do you guys make these "Fingers" and how do you plant them? With no way to turn equipment around in them how do you work them?
The fingers, or "Shooting Lane Plots" we plant are generally about 12-15' wide, with a turn-around at the end for the tractor or quad. They typically start at a plot and are made with one pass down and one pass back. They are usually about as wide as your tow-behind or bag spreader can cover in one pass. This makes them very efficient to plant, since you spend very little time turning around. If you have two fingers with cover on both sides that are in the shape of an "L" or a "V" shape, you will often see a lot of activity where the fingers or lanes come together.
Rockon
A good 3 year old buck
I have a wide ridge point that I was planning to put a U or V shaped plot on. Sort of Wrap the ridge. The point of the U would end at the point of the ridge and be slightly wider there, while each leg would run down both sides of the ridge almost parallel with the ridge top. The legs would be narrower and more like travel lanes of food that lead to the wider portion on the top and on the ends to ravine pinch points. I could hunt the wind on either leg. I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet but I think it would work well. Has anyone tried anything like this with success? One fear I have is they already bed close to this area and I wouldn't want to disturb this primo cover on the side of the ridges. Should I keep it simple and just plot on top with a north south strip?
wiscwhip
5 year old buck +
If you are running the plot around the edge along the dropoff, what are your plans for the center area of the ridgetop? You said they bed on the side hills in that area already, are you able to get into stands along that edge now without the deer busting you from below? Do you have an aerial or topo you could markup?
Rockon
A good 3 year old buck
Yes I can enter in along the top undetected most of the time. There is a logging road that runs the top of the ridge and I keep it clear so I can enter quietly as well. My plan is not really hunt this plot but rather hunt travel lanes to it. I can try to post a pic.
Steve Oehlenschlager
5 year old buck +
The best Food plot shape for hunting over is one which every deer that steps into it is in range of your arrow! It seems that once a deer is in your plot, the ability to pick you off goes up exponentially. Also try to have your stand 5 yards OFF from the plot. Hunting the edge is a sure way to get picked off.
