Test Plot Layout

[roymunson]

I think I mentioned it earlier, but our local seed joint asked if I have a spot where we doing know what to plant, but would be open to trying to something if the seed and roundup was free. (He knows we have a No Till). I said, sure, let's try it.

So I split this field in 1/2 this spring with buckwheat and an annual clover (Berseem I believe?)

Killed it off in July, and now it's planting time. He wants to see what preps the soil better for different plantings, and what the deer prefer. So I have 10 species to plant in 7 acres. This is how I drew it up in Microsoft Paint, because I'm a graphic design whiz.

What do you guys think of it? Planning on planting ahead of a rain this weekend.

 

[Barndog56]

I assume You have lots of cameras set up on that field? It will be interesting to see if the variety actually makes a difference or if they just do most of their eating on whichever corner has the best cover, and then expand from there. There's likely to be different patterns in daylight than in the dark, and between does and bucks too.

 

[Kdog]

Looks like an interesting, and time consuming project. Just thinking about adding seed, removing seed, adding seed....

Really interested to see how it turns out.

 

[roymunson]

Looks like an interesting, and time consuming project. Just thinking about adding seed, removing seed, adding seed....

Really interested to see how it turns out.

yeah, there is that.

I have my battery shop vac that I am stealing from work for the day. Should help

Maybe we'll do a hodge podge plot somewhere with the left overs.

 

[roymunson]

And yes, we'll have to hang a bunch of cameras.

Hes also testing to see which plants grow best based on the cover crop planted this spring. It's a lot of work, but I was gonna plant it anyways.

Some day I want that whole thing in Corn or beans or alfalfa. That'd be exciting.

 

[Telemark]

Cool project. I'm interested in the results, as I also buy seed from Merit. Would be neat to have a camera or two on time lapse. And of course a lot of exclusion cages.

 

[Telemark]

Some day I want that whole thing in Corn or beans or alfalfa. That'd be exciting.

I hunt near you, on the Holmes/Coshocton border. Corn seems to be the magic bullet up there. In the years when the neighbor's field is in corn, the deer activity on the surrounding properties is insane. It's not unusual to see more than 20 deer from my stand on opening day of gun season. When the field is fallow, you better shoot the first deer you see, or you might get skunked.

If I had a field like yours I would probably keep part of it in corn every year. Maybe a third or a fourth. I haven't hunted beans there, but I imagine it would be a good draw, especially for muzzle loader.

 

[Bassattackr]

Neat project Roy. I'm voting for #10 FTW, given its close proximity to cover

 

[roymunson]

I hunt near you, on the Holmes/Coshocton border. Corn seems to be the magic bullet up there. In the years when the neighbor's field is in corn, the deer activity on the surrounding properties is insane. It's not unusual to see more than 20 deer from my stand on opening day of gun season. When the field is fallow, you better shoot the first deer you see, or you might get skunked.

If I had a field like yours I would probably keep part of it in corn every year. Maybe a third or a fourth. I haven't hunted beans there, but I imagine it would be a good draw, especially for muzzle loader.

You're not wrong. Deer clobber the beans when they're green, but come brown down, it's hard to beat corn, whether grown or trucked in... I hunt another spot 45 minutes east of there and apples on the ground move the needle far more. Its weird.