shrodreel
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Food Plots
Can anyone recommend an outfit that specializes in laying out, planting etc. of food plots for deer / turkey ? I have 50 acres in Crawford Co. and I'm thinking about a few food plots..
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S-10
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/17 17:06:35
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There aren't many, if any, in Pa that do it. There is a wealth of info on the net on how to go about it. The easiest way is figure out yourself how large a plot and what to plant and then hire a farmer or someone who plows up gardens for folks to do the real work. First thing to do is get a soil sample and send to Penn State and they will tell you how much lime and fetlizer to put down for the type of crop you are planting. Clear the plot of any brush, etc, use a herbicide to kill the weeds and grasses, lime it and let sit a few months, plow it, disc it, top dress lime it, fertlize it and plant crop. Probably need 5 tons lime per acre total if planting for first time. 3-4 to start and 1-2 top dress.
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dpms
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/17 19:51:24
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Sometimes the local QDMA chapter can offer assistance for free. I would contact the nearest chapter and propose your question. Might be surprised at the help that is offered.
My rifle is a black rifle
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Esox_Hunter
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/17 20:44:42
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Good suggestion, there are a lot of knowledgeable guys affiliated with QDMA. There is also a substantial amount of information available on their forums. I would also agree with S-10. There is an endless supply of information and research available online. With a little bit of nosing around and I am sure you will find everything you need to get started. I just started plotting last summer. Luckily, I have friend who owns a landscaping company and he was able to help us with obtaining some equipment. We made due using his skidsteer for most of the work to get our little plot planted. It may not have been ideal, however it worked just fine for what we needed. We still ended up doing a lot of work by hand, but that really kept costs down and the results were pretty good overall. It is still a learning process for us, but that is what makes it fun. If you can't find a farmer to do the work for you, you could also look into renting the necessary equipment.
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retired guy
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/17 21:41:35
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Place I used to hunt put in 5 acres of MILO for a small cash crop- couldnt keep the deer out of it even while they were mowing it. Even after they came in for weeks at the mowed off stuff. Heard the seed was pricey though.We took 3 with the bow off it after it was harvested.
post edited by retired guy - 2012/01/17 21:42:28
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S-10
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/17 21:54:18
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It all depends on what the area surrounding you has for crops and how badly Herd Reduction has affected your area. I planted a one acre plot of Landino clover in the early nineties and the deer destroyed the stuff the first year. I planted the same plot with the same thing a few year after HR and it wasn't much better than any place else in the woods as far as deer numbers working it. A cheap and dirty way of going the first year with decent results is winter wheat and it is easy to plant, good for the soil, and keeps the weeds down. Just plow it under in the spring and plant your next crop.
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fishin coyote
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/18 07:39:28
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I'd also recommend that you can get your seed mix from Ernst's in Meadville. They will know what grows best in this area and it may be more cost effective for you to buy there. Plus it keeps the money in the local economy. Mike
Nothing is Free!! Reward equals Effort
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bakman
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/18 09:05:25
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What part of crawford co. I have all the equipment and alot of experience. If you are in the eastern portion I'm sure we could figure something out.
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RSB
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/18 16:42:53
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psu_fish
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/18 19:22:18
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Here is a really good read, bit long but good utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/PB1769.pdf
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Goodsy
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/18 21:12:43
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I just got the first piece of my food plot puzzle......the tractor(30HP, 3PTH). I am now looking for implements. I am not sure what the best bang for my buck would be. I am guessing I need plow, discs, some kind of planter. Would tiller be better? Only looking to plant 3 acres to begin with, but I know once I get geared up there will be many more. I was also looking at the plotmaster. The idea seems good, but does it work that well for the price? Anyone have any suggestions based on experience?
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bulldog1
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/19 09:31:56
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"the tractor(30HP, 3PTH)" Gas or diesel? Diesel will have more torque and plow a little better. Either should pull a 2 bottom decently. You should be able to find a 14" to 16" two bottom plow relatively cheap. 3pt disc will be hard to find in decent shape for a smaller one, but if you're only using it for a couple of acres you don't need a perfect one. Harrow again will be hard to find a small one in decent shape, but if you disc real good you can just drag a rail road tie behind to level it out. Hand seeders work good for planting then just drag a heavy chain over it to cover the seed. You'll have fun plowing and discing your small plot, but it will give you an appreciation for what larger scale farmers go through. That first couple of passes with the disc will rattle your teeth...
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psu_fish
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/19 11:21:07
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go "green"
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bingsbaits
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/19 17:33:48
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For plots that size it would be alot of work for a tiller. We've got one on our 30 hp International and it is great for small plots. But a couple of acres could be tough depending on the soil make up. They make some nice smaller broadcast planters that fit on the back of a 4 wheeler, good for fertilizer too.
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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Goodsy
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RE: Food Plots
2012/01/19 18:21:46
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Thanks all....the tractor is a Bobcat 30HP Diesel.
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