Planning a Successful Food Plot: Location, Scale, and Strategy for Hunters

A well-planned food plot can transform a property into a reliable wildlife magnet, boosting deer activity, guiding movement patterns, and increasing hunting opportunities across seasons. In this guide, we’ll cover key considerations for choosing a location, sizing your plot, integrating Real World Wildlife Products (RWWP) into your plan, and scheduling activities to maximize success during hunting seasons.

1. Start with the land and habitat assessment

• Map and assess your land: Record soil types, moisture, sun exposure, drainage, and existing vegetation. Identify natural travel corridors, loafing areas, water sources, and potential sanctuary zones.
• Define goals: Are you aiming to attract deer, turkeys, or other wildlife? Do you want year-round forage or seasonal attractants? Your goals will shape location and crop choices.
• Habitat balance: A robust food plot plan balances feeding areas with cover. Combine food plots with shrub rows, clover understory, and native grasses to create a diverse habitat that supports nutrition and security for wildlife.

2. Location and layout: where to place plots

• Proximity to sanctuary (refuge) areas: Place plots near bedding cover but not so close that animals vanish when you’re near. A good rule of thumb is to have a “feeding corridor” that leads from the sanctuary to the feeding plots with multiple sightlines.
• Access and disturbance: Plan entrances and exits to minimize pressure on deer as they approach plots. Use longer, less conspicuous approaches and consider multiple entry routes.
• Accessibility for maintenance: Choose locations that are easy to plant, fertilize, and harvest without trampling important cover or creating unnecessary disturbance.
• Water and shade: In hot climates, locate plots where some shade provides relief midday, or near natural water sources to sustain deer during dry spells.

3. How big should your plot be? Acres, sanctuary, and yield

• Balance feeding with sanctuary: A common approach is to allocate a portion of your acreage to productive plots and reserve a sanctuary area where deer can retreat. For example, on a 10–20 acre parcel, you might allocate:
  • 2–4 acres for high-density forage plots (clover, chicory, brassicas, or other perennials/annuals)
  • 2–4 acres for supplemental forage areas (including seasonal plots)
  • 4–6 acres as a sanctuary or cover habitat to maintain security and a diverse habitat
• Scaling with property size: Larger properties can sustain more extensive plots and multiple food-plot zones, while smaller properties benefit from concentrated, high-yield plots and strategic sanctuary pockets.
• Productivity per acre: Choose mixtures that maximize nutrition per acre and are well-suited to your soil and climate (pH, fertility, rainfall). A mix of perennial legumes (clover), chicory, and seasonal brassicas can provide steady forage.

4. Choosing the right seed blends and products (including Real World Wildlife Products)

• Real World Wildlife Products (RWWP) clover and chicory blends: Great for long-term soil health and high-protein forage. Their blends can form the core of perennial plots, providing deer-quality nutrition across seasons.
• Add annuals for peak seasons: Include quick-establishing annuals (e.g., winter brassicas or diverse annuals) to boost late-season forage when hunting pressure is high.
• Soil health and fertility: Test soil pH and fertility. RWWP products often perform best with proper soil amendments. Consider a soil test and tailor lime/phosphorus/potassium inputs accordingly.
• Supplemental attractants: In addition to forage, consider RWWP bedding materials or cover crops around plot edges to encourage deer movement and provide security cover.

5. Planning, planting, and maintenance calendar

• Spring planning: Conduct soil tests, design plot layout, and purchase seed blends. Begin soil amendments if needed.
• Summer prep: Clear non-target vegetation, install minifences if needed to protect new seedlings, and check irrigation if applicable.
• Planting windows: Plant perennials in early spring or fall, depending on your climate. Use a mix of species to ensure year-round forage.
• Ongoing maintenance: Mow or manage to maintain desirable forage height, avoid overgrazing, and rotate plots to prevent disease and soil depletion.
• Seasonal adjustments: In late summer/fall, plant fall/winter annuals to boost late-season forage; in spring, emphasize regrowth from perennials and add annuals for early-season nutrition.
• Harvest timing and hunting: Schedule harvests and activities with deer movement in mind. Avoid excessive disturbance during peak hunting periods; use quiet paths and minimal disruption to sanctuary zones.

6. Management strategies for success across hunting seasons

• Season-long nutrition: A mix of high-protein forage and energy-rich plants supports antler growth and overall health. A stable food supply reduces pressure on nearby habitats and keeps deer in proximity.
• Predator and pressure management: Use sanctuary strips and secure bedding cover to minimize stress and maintain consistent deer presence on plots.
• Water strategy: If rainfall is limited, ensure water sources are accessible near plots to keep deer actively visiting.
• Monitoring: Use trail cameras or periodic checks to gauge plot use, detect changes in deer movement, and adjust plantings or density accordingly.
• Safety and stewardship: Follow local regulations and ensure plot management aligns with wildlife safety and habitat restoration best practices.

7. Case study: a simple, practical plan

• Property: 12 acres with mixed timber and openings
• Layout: 2 acres RWWP clover/chicory blend as the primary forage, 2 acres seasonal brassicas, 2 acres edge rows for security cover, 3 acres sanctuary with grasses and shrubs, remaining space for access and water features.
• Timeline: Spring soil test, plant perennials in early spring, plant brassicas in late summer, maintain by mowing to recommended heights, and monitor with cameras during hunting seasons.
• Outcome goal: Steady deer presence year-round, improved body condition in winter, and increased opportunities during hunting seasons.

8. Quick-start checklist

• Assess land, define sanctuary zones, and establish goals.
• Test soil and plan seed blends (consider RWWP products for long-term forage).
• Create a layout that balances productivity and security cover.
• Schedule planting windows and maintenance activities.
• Install monitoring tools to track deer activity and plot performance.
• Review and adjust annually based on results and habitat changes.

A thoughtful food-plot plan that balances productive forage with a secure sanctuary can significantly improve deer presence and hunting outcomes across seasons. By starting with a land assessment, selecting the right seed blends (including Real World Wildlife Products), and sticking to a practical planting and maintenance calendar, you’ll create a resilient, attractive habitat that benefits wildlife and your hunting success.

Looking to get the right products for your food plot? Check out the different seasonal products now! Spring Food Plots. Fall Food Plots. Screening Products.