Clover plots still getting use

[barr creek acres]

My clover plots are still getting a lot of use by my local deer population. I thought by now that my clover plots after having a handful of heavy frosts would be less than desirable to the local deer population. I read somewhere that after a several frosts the sugars that are in the stems and in the clover leafs go to the root system making this food source less than desirable to deer. Is this true? I did have brassicas planted with this clover (wina double cross) although the brassicas faded out. Now the only other food plot I have is a small plot of winter wheat and it is productive with evidence of deer browsing although not to the same extent of the clover plots. Next year I will plant brassicas and clovers seperately not a match made in heaven in this food plot.

[bigmike]

Why are you disappointed about this?

[Gregoire1960]

Still getting use in my clover / chicory plot although it's nearly done. Brassicas getting heavy use and winter wheat getting use as well. My dad nailed this 9 pointer last Tuesday evening in a brassica plot. He had followed a doe into it and was working a licking branch on the edge of the plot.

[bigmike]

nice buck but he might be flipping you off cause his buck is bigger than yours? lol

[barr creek acres]

I was hoping to have my brassicas grow now I have a overgrazing issue on my clover. I was hoping to get a few years on the clover at this rate I might have to reseed next spring. Do you need any further explanation Big Mike?

[Gregoire1960]

I prefer to plant brassicas seperate from my clover / chicory. I plant part of the field (25-30%) in brassicas and the rest is left as a perennial clover / chicory plot. If you keep the clover / chicory mowed to handle the broadleaf weeds and spray with Select or Poast to handle the grasses, your clover / chicory plot should last 4 or 5 years easily. Spread 200 lbs per acre 6-28-28 each year if you can afford it & you should have great growth. I typically quit mowing by mid-August to leave lots for the deer to feed on in the fall.

[Gregoire1960]

Originally Posted by bigmike

nice buck but he might be flipping you off cause his buck is bigger than yours? lol

I've got to learn how to photoshop stuff like that...... my dad didn't even notice it until I pointed it out to him

[barr creek acres]

Thats exactly what I will do next year my clover turned out great did like you said mowed it down it was well fertilized I planted it in late May might have something to do why brassicas faded off. On my new food plots I will plant my brassicas in mid August. Thanks for the info Gregoire and congrats to your dad nice buck and good luck hunting.

[Heartland Hunter]

So do they stop eating after a few frosts?

[bigmike]

I have a lot of clover that they graze so hard in the winter it looks like felt. I think it'll come back just fine. I planted chicory in some of mine and i think i'd rather have pure plots of clover so it would be easier to maintain and not choke out your companion crop, which is what it sounds like it did to your brassicas?