Photo provided by Realtree Media
Feed them and they will come. Give them everything they want and need, and they will stay. Food plots provide the “deer candy” that reinforces the premise that this is a great place to hang out — that it provides those essentials for a good life. On the micro level, placement of food plots determines the best locations for treestands and ground blinds to ensure landowners/hunters get the greatest return for their efforts come hunting season. Those who want to maximize the drawing power of their food plots put considerable thought into the seeds they sow and how they care for the resulting plants. The goal, of course, is a healthier deer herd and increased hunting opportunities. Fortunately, there is a wide assortment of food plot seeds available as well as implements to help with the heavy lifting — tractors, seeders, mowers, etc. — available to fit any food plot project, big or small. As a hunting retailer, you can provide the tools necessary for building and maintaining epic food plots — by providing those tools needed to succeed. With that in mind, here are some top-shelf land/deer management products that will get your food plot patrons off on the right foot as they prepare for a successful 2022-23 deer season.
Ani-Logics Crush Forage Collards
Forage trials at hunting personalities Lee and Tiffany Lakosky’s personal farm led to the creation of this unique variety of forage collards, ideal for developing attractive late-season food plots. The cold temperature tolerance and low growth point of Ani-Logics Crush Forage Collards ($14.99/1 pound) make it a great food plot seed for late-season attraction — the resulting plants able to withstand heavy grazing pressure and still yield amazing top growth. This variety of forage collards is easily established, and its exceptionally high protein content offers great attraction and palatability, making this an irresistible sweet treat for whitetails. Plant in the fall when the forecast calls for rain within 10 days for best results. Plants 1/6 acre or 7,500 sq. ft.
Antler King Trophy Clover Mix
Antler King’s Trophy Clover Mix ($34.99-$299.99) is a high-protein, tonnage-producing perennial blend for reliable deer and turkey food plots that last up to six years. Treated with Ultra Coat Orange for higher germination rates and increased forage yield, Trophy Clover Mix can grow 2 to 3 feet tall with up to 10 tons of 30 percent protein forage per acre to promote a healthy deer herd and grow trophy bucks. Four clover varieties, chicory and rapeseed provide a hardy food source that’s nutritious, palatable and digestible throughout spring, summer and fall. Trophy Clover Mix can be planted in the spring or fall and is available in 3.5- 24- and 40-pound bags. www.antlerking.com
BioLogic Non-Typical Clover
Non-Typical Clover — available only from Mossy Oak BioLogic — is a fast establishing and aggressive large leaf white clover that features superior cold tolerance and proven palatability ($22.99/2 pounds; $69.99/8 pounds; $345.99/40 pounds). This clover planting has been extensively tested and chosen for its durability, nutrition and attraction — browse tolerant with a three- to five-year lifespan with proper management including mowing, fertilization according to soil testing and weed control with herbicides. Recent field trials have shown that Non-Typical Clover has a track record of quick stand establishment, aggressive stolon (stem) growth, heavy forage output and long-term stand persistence. It will grow in all soil types with adequate soil moisture.
Boss Buck Final Destination
New for 2022, Boss Buck Final Destination is a professionally selected blend of sugar beets and turnips that attracts deer and provides them with essential nutrients and energy and keeps them coming back for more ($34.95/4-pound bag). The 4-pound bag covers .5 acres (22,000 square feet) and lasts all winter long, which makes it a great choice for late-season hunting. Made in the USA, Boss Buck Final Destination is formulated to keep deer browsing longer. Boss Buck carries a full line of food and mineral attractants.
Evolved Clover Pro
Clover Pro from Evolved ($32.99/4-pound bag) is a special mix of perennial clovers that can be planted in spring or fall and adapts to most regions and climates. Forage clovers attract deer, and the nutritious taste keeps them there. These clovers also grow bigger and stronger thanks to ProGro Biostimulant, a proprietary seed coating that yields more forage per acre for a healthier herd. The 4-pound bag covers .5 acres (50 x 50 yards) and is a blend of perennial white and red clovers. Planting depth is .25 inches.
Lucky Buck Perfect Perennial
Perfect Perennial is a food plot blend from Lucky Buck ($39.95/4 pounds) that is made of the highest quality forages that are highly digestible, have season-long palatability and high protein — crucial for attracting deer and maximum herd health and optimum antler development. The mix of clovers, alfalfa and chicory was selected for its high sugar and low fiber content and maturity time. Four pounds will cover a half-acre plot and should last four to six years between seedings. For best results, sow in early spring or late summer.
Plot Dr. Liquid Lime
For those landowners/deer managers who are sick of hauling and spreading bags of pelletized lime to boost food plot production and need rapid pH adjustment, Plot Dr. Liquid Lime ($50/Gallon) is the right tool for the job. Adjusting the pH balance in soil in a matter of days, it lasts all season long. This soil applied calcium product provides fertility, rapid pH adjustment and soil structure improvement, and with its microscopic size and high percentage of pure calcium, Plot Dr. Liquid Lime helps grow better food plots, offers users savings in time and labor and provides almost instant gratification. One to 3 gallons of Liquid Lime per acre will take care of the worst pH adjustment needs.
Whitetail Institute Imperial Whitetail Clover
Imperial Whitetail Clover from Whitetail Institute ($42.98/4 pounds; $149.98/18 pounds; $246.98/36 pounds) contains the only clover genetically designed for whitetail deer. It has an extremely high protein content — critical for antler, muscle and bone growth and thrives in extreme cold as well as warm, dry climates. It also helps does deliver heavier, healthier fawns and produce more milk. The Whitetail Institute R&D team has continually improved Imperial Whitetail Clover over the years with new and improved clover varieties. Deer love the taste and will travel long distances to feed on it. This perennial is heat-, drought- and disease-resistant and coated with RainBond for enhanced seedling survivability. It last up to five years from a single planting.
