Trophy

I am from Colorado and it is illegal to have food plots, Any of you actually have food plots? what size is your typical deer you pull into these plots? I have a hard time thinking everyone gets trophy deer on thier food plots.

Like anything else it takes alot of hard work.

Semper Paratus
Final Approach Pro-Staff
Foiles Migrators Pro-Staff
Rig'Em Right Pro-Staff
Duck Junkies Pro-Staff
Clearwater Fl. Ducks Unlimited Committee Member
TEAM TRIPPLE H
TEAM BUSH QUACKED

Yeah that is so true sometimes they eat the wierdest stuff and it is so not the food that you were so sure they would eat. 

Semper Paratus
Final Approach Pro-Staff
Foiles Migrators Pro-Staff
Rig'Em Right Pro-Staff
Duck Junkies Pro-Staff
Clearwater Fl. Ducks Unlimited Committee Member
TEAM TRIPPLE H
TEAM BUSH QUACKED

As mentioned above, there are a ton of variables that come into play to get trophy-caliber bucks into your food plots.  Here are just a few more:
 
1. Soil ph - If your soil doesn't have the correct ph the food plot won't grow very well, and you'll have to invest in lime or other minerals to get the soil ph at the correct level for optimal food plot growth.  If the food plot isn't lush and worth visiting the deer will find somewhere else to feed.
 
2. Choosing the correct seeds for your area.  Some food plots produce better results with ryegrass and brassicas while others comprised of winter peas and a winter rye produce good results.  Then there are the rape and turnip varieties and the soybean, clover and chicory mixes.  You'll have to experiment with these blends to determine which one works the best in your area. 
 
3. Using good fertilizer and mineral blends to produce a lush food plot.  Food plots are like crops, i.e., corn, alfalfa, soybeans, etc.  They need fertilization to grow well.
 
4. Managing the area for trophy bucks.  If the smaller bucks have no chance to reach full maturity or trophy-size it won't matter which food plot you plant.
 
These are just a few of the things that you need to consider when planting food plots. 
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

#4 above is one of the key elements. You have to manage the herd in the area to cultivate larger racks as well as provide the food required for racks and sustainment.  Sometimes it is best to start food plots of different types and not shoot any bucks for a couple of years unless it is of a size you select as  a trophy.
 
Lots of stuff out there to plant that proveds what deer need.
Some of it just too expensive to plant in a large area.  I have used winter oats, wheat, clover, alfalfa, grasses, soy beans and some biologic. 

T.H. WERTH
US Army (Ret)
NRA
LM-NAHC
Viet Nam Vet

Jim---I think the deer were starting to show improvement in weight and rack size in PA, but I believe it is all starting to fall apart.   A lot of people are upset now because they are not seeing the number of deer like they used to.  If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Alt has resigned his position and there are lawsuits against the state by disgruntled people that have no idea how to manage a deer herd.

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Lots of great info guys. Would be fun to try out some time but as long as I am here in Colorado that wont happen. Good luck to you guys who can do that!!

Thank God for this wonderful life and the men and women protecting it for us. You are ALL Heroes!!

ttt