Top_Heavy's World

Location of a nutrition or attraction planting is key to success, perfect location and you will be on the cover of magazines for years to come, a poor location and you will be mowing lots of vegetation because nothing is eating it or visiting the plot. I talked considerably about location from the security factor. If a deer is not comfortable there, you will not see it there or at least not see it during day light hours. I think the next set of factors that will affect how you set up a plot is the "Limiting Factors" list. This list will help determine what to plant, when to plant, when to hunt the plot, how the plot will affect the overall management of the property... this small concept will affect you in ever part of planning this plot.
Evaluate your property, wether 4 acres or 4000, there is something missing somewhere. Catalog your basics, water sources- is there year round water or is your property totally lacking any surface water. Bedding areas- that is the thick security cover that offers shade in the hot months and dense hiding cover. Loafing areas- that means open hill sides and ridge tops where deer can relax, groom, have good visibility of their surroudings while in the shade or partially concealed. Harsh weather protection- that includes large enough areas of thick evergreen materials or tall native grass areas to offer thermal and predator protection. Spring food and mineral stations- the deer are coming off of the hardest part of their year, their bodies are able to shift from survival to weight gain and antler developement, do they have just enough or is life easy for them to allow for maximum recovery at this crutial time. Summer food- that is enough high protien food, in proper location to the water and bedding/loafing areas to provide security with out traveling too far. Special foods/treats- that is the seasonal biggies that draw deer off of average properties in droves. This could be apples, and other fruits, grapes, both vines and fruits, acorns... any super attractive seasonal food. Fall foods- the deer start to work towards hard grains, legumes such as peas and beans, agricultural crops and twiggy or woody plant materials they will start to eat just before winter. Winter food- this is the tough time, the time in a deer's life where it will not be able to gain weight, recover completely from the rigors of rutting activity, stress and severe winter weather. This is usually grain products, beats, turnips, woody brouse and ground covers such as clover, brassica and winter wheat/relatives such as rye and tricolate. What if there is 6" more snow than average? What can the deer get to then? What if the snow lasts over 100 days and it gets ice build up on it? What is available then?
I have properties where the limiting factor is size. The deer have learned over the past 5 years that about October 1 the eating is really good. They flock to this property until the weather gets really bad and by then there are too many deer and the food source is depleated. That is fine for bow hunting, but it is not a true food source to better the overall heard.
My goal is to pull as many deer off of the fringe areas around me, using the seasonal perks the deer get from those properties, as possible. The main range for the deer is on me or the ground I contol the hunting pressure/harvest decisions on. This is fantastic if you have enough ground or if you are backed up to a refuge of some sort. This could be municiple areas, golf courses, actual state or federal refuges, or my favorite... it backs up to a huge private property where no hunting is allowed! I love these places as they protect deer in a natural setting while I can use plantings and foresight to pull the deer to my hunting locations when the time is right!
Catalog your limiting factors, in writing to help see patterns, using arial photos and take notes on these photos to understand the crop rotation around you. We will get more detailed on each factor and how you might use it to better your land.

This big deer was taken by examining the limitig factors of 3 things; 1. Winter food with snow on the ground 2. Heavy cover between the food and the bedding/loafing cover and 3. the only crossing over a water filled ditch that was no longer crossable due to thin ice! Limiting Factors come in many shapes and styles, if you learn to see them this way, you will be able to quickly evaluate properties and logically put yourself in the key areas when needed!