This is true I should have explained better in my original post. Right now most of the plot are on the perimeter of the property due to cattle pasture in the center of both properties. So most of the deer are traveling from our neighbors to the edges of our property, making it difficult to get deer to come out in daylight, and pulling deer past the nieghbors that hunt.
The idea would be to plant a larger interior plot, fencing off some cattle pasture and letting the edges of the property grow up a little for more cover. The larger food plot on one property would actually spread out over three different large ridges and pull deer from all different directions the other would also pull deer from multiple directions so it could be hunted in multiple winds.
Most of the things i have read lean towards a larger interior plot vs scattering smaller plots across the property. I would probably still plant a couple smaller plots. Also the way the fencing would be done deer wouldnt have to cross the pasture to get to it. Thanks for your input.
I was looking at things from a bigger perspective. If QDM is an objective where sufficient scale is available, I'd offer very different advise and ask very different questions than if improving hunting is your objective. I'm taking it from your post above, you are focused more on the hunting aspects.
I would not plant a single large plot at the center of the property. I find that deer tend to use smaller plots during shooting hours much more than large plots. One trade off is equipment transport. One can plant a large field much more efficiently since equipment transport is not required. One way to skin the cat is to create one large multi-acre field, and then subdivide it with perennial visual blocks between the sections. This has the advantage of collocating a significant food source but making it more huntable. Even if you are hunting near the border where deer are buried, if earlier they feel comfortable using the food source, they will leave the bedding cover earlier.
Before you decide on the specific location, consider the cover from bedding to food. If there are large holes of open area, deer will tend to wait until later to cross these. So, make sure you position the plots where there are good transition and staging cover areas between food and cover.
Another thing to consider is your soil. We have several soil types on our farm and some soils are much more fertile than others. That can reduce the amount of inputs and effort required.
It is also a good idea to include your location/USDA zone in your profile. Strategies can be quite different depending on region. I'm in central VA in zone 7a. Here, soybeans are a great summer food source if you are dong QDM but not a big attractant during our hunting season. In the north, the pods can be a great fall attractant. If you are in my area or further south, I'd save your money on the beans if you are not doing QDM and focus on soil health and weed control with anything you plant in the spring and focus on attraction for fall planted crops. You can balance the amount of perennials verses annuals based on your time and resource availability. If you are further north, I'll let others provide specific crop advise.
Best of luck,
Jack
