Managing the Land

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Making your land more attractive to deer increases the amount of time deer spend on your property. A lush stand of clover planted near a forest edge, for instance, creates an appealing food plot for whitetails and gives you opportunity to learn more about their habits.

However, the larger body sizes, better antler growth and higher reproductive rates of north Missouri deer, where soils are fertile and intensive agriculture predominates, suggest an abundant, high-quality food source may be important for producing these desirable characteristics in deer. In addition, studies of penned deer have found positive correlations between soil fertility (mostly calcium and phosphorus levels) and increased antler growth, productivity and body weights. It seems apparent that well-nourished deer are more likely to reach their biological potentials for reproduction, body size and antler growth.

But will one or two quarter-acre food plots surrounded by 1,000 acres of the poorest woods in Missouri make a difference? Probably not. But 25 well-placed one- to two-acre plots could benefit deer under these conditions, especially if coupled with proper forest management.

Besides the potential benefits for deer, land management gives deer enthusiasts a better understanding of deer habits. Proper management makes property more attractive to deer, which increases the time they spend on that piece of land. A patch of lush clover or wheat is a dynamite spot to harvest a deer early in archery season. Later in the season, grain such as milo, and heavy cover such as a 6-year-old clearcut, attract deer because they offer both high energy carbohydrates and cover. During spring, grown-up pastures provide concealment for newborn fawns and an abundance of nutritious forbs. Bucks seem to prefer openings and open woods during summer when they are growing antlers and visually sorting out their dominance hierarchy. Certain songbirds, quail, rabbits and other edge species attracted to food plots also may benefit from deer habitat management.

Step One: Evaluate Your Land

Once you've decided to do some habitat management, the first step is to determine what habitat qualities are lacking on your land. Unless you own 1,000 acres or more or live on an island, also consider your neighbors' properties. Remember, deer are mobile and seldom spend an entire lifetime or even a season in one small area. A deer study in north Missouri showed many radio-collared deer roamed areas greater than 1,000 acres during a given season, and many made seasonal movements of more than eight miles.

When evaluating your land for deficiencies in deer habitat, keep in mind that deer are an edge species. This means they prefer areas where two or more cover-types come together. If you own mostly woods, does your ground have an adequate number of openings? Do the woodlands contain a variety of trees and shrubs in various growth stages? Is there thick brush for hardcore cover? How far is the nearest agricultural planting?

Perhaps you own mostly open or agricultural ground. If this is the case, consider whether there are adequate woodlands providing cover and hard mast production, such as acorns. Tree and shrub plantings also might be an option. The appendix contains a habitat appraisal guide to help you evaluate deer habitat on your property. If you and your neighbors own large tracts of mature forest, you might consider providing some thick cover by making a clearcut, doing some timber stand improvement or perhaps creating an opening or food plot in the forest to increase edge.

When land ownership consists of many small units, it is beneficial to operate under a single management plan-provided you have cooperation among landowners. Large acreage management lends itself better to practices, such as timber harvest and crop rotations. In addition, it more likely affects resident deer because both summer and winter deer ranges often are contained within the management area.

A reasonable goal for management on a large scale is to convert 7 to 15 percent of your ground into crop and/or maintained openings, 30 to 50 percent into brush and old fields, and 30 to 50 percent into upland hardwoods. Of course, the practicality of this habitat breakdown depends upon the amount of land you own and its existing habitat. Converting 30 percent of your ground to upland hardwoods may not be possible if you live on a prairie, but just letting a fencerow grow up will help.

Step Two: Select the Right Management Practices for Your Land

Manipulating habitat to better suit the needs of deer can be accomplished through forest management, planted food plots and management of natural vegetation. There are myriad opinions about which practices attract and benefit deer. We have outlined those that are applicable to Missouri and that do not require a great deal of special equipment.

Timber Management

Forest management for deer generally consists of setting back plant succession to create brush and low browse for food and cover. Landowners often are reluctant to cut trees, but it is important to remember that trees do grow back. If you treat them like a crop, both you and your resident whitetails will benefit from a managed timber harvest.

Deer in large wooded tracts rely on shrubs and young trees for cover and food during all months of the year. Leaves are an important food source in spring and summer; twigs provide browse during winter.

A timber harvest generates income, creates small openings and sets back succession. Of course, harvest intensity depends upon the condition of the stand, but a heavy cut will create better and longer-lasting deer habitat. For guidance and technical assistance with timber management, contact your local Conservation Department forester.

Cutting Firewood

If you or your woodlands aren't ready for full-scale timber management, making a firewood patch cut is another option. Simply select an area accessible by truck or tractor and cut next year's supply of firewood; one-quarter to one-half acre cuts are adequate. You will obtain the best results if you cut all the trees. Piling the tops provides cover for other wildlife as well. Mowing with a brush cutter slows regrowth and allows other beneficial plants and shrubs to gain a foothold.

Plan next year's cut in a nearby area and, in a few years, you will have a patchwork of trees and shrubs in various stages of growth. Cutting firewood along field and woods borders also increases edge.

As a guide, about 30 percent of your woodlands should be in shrub and brush or old field stages. Old fields are simply grown up pastures. Hay or crop fields can be maintained in this stage by mowing with a brush cutter every three to seven years. Leaving the rest in mature hardwoods provides ample mast during fall and early winter.

Planting Food Plots

Food plots are a popular way to attract deer to selected areas for viewing or harvest. Green browse food plots, such as clover, alfalfa and wheat, provide deer and other wildlife with protein-rich vegetation during the critical growth period of early spring. Grain plots offer energy for maintenance during the cold winter months.

Food plots should be established near cover and away from roads to reduce the potential for deer/vehicle collisions and poaching. Again, a patchwork of one- to two-acre plots is better than one large one. Table 3 lists prescriptions for various green browse and grain plots.

Generally, double- or triple-discing provides adequate seedbed preparation. A soil test will dictate liming and fertilization rates required for your site. For a soil test, bring a pint of soil gathered from your seedbed to your county extension agent. The analysis typically costs less than $10 and is critical to any successful food plot.

To plant a green browse plot, fertilize and prepare the seedbed in mid-August to early September and broadcast with wheat at one bushel per acre. Disc lightly to cover seed wheat. Feed wheat is less expensive and also works well. The wheat will die the following summer, but it holds soil and is an attractive food source for deer during fall and winter.

In late February or early March, broadcast a mixture of 3 pounds red clover, 3 pounds ladino and 2 pounds white Dutch per acre. Korean lespedeza can be substituted for white Dutch clover on dry sites. These plots need to be mowed once during June and possibly in September to reduce weed competition and keep the fields green longer into the fall when they will be attractive to deer. Also, 100 pounds of phosphorus and 100 pounds potash per acre, top dressed every other fall, will prolong the life of the stand.

Although there are other alternatives to green browse plots (Table 4), clover is the crop of choice for achieving planting success rates, ease of maintenance, longevity and attractiveness. Recent clover studies indicate deer prefer Regal ladino, which is available at most grain elevators.

However, protein levels of all ladino clovers average more than 24 percent throughout the year. Red clovers and native vegetation peak at around 15 percent. Deer require 13 to 16 percent protein for optimal growth and 7 percent for maintenance. Ideally, green browse plots and other maintained openings should account for 7 to 15 percent of your deer management acres.

Milo is the grain of choice for food plots in Missouri because it is drought tolerant, requires a shorter growing season, needs less fertilizer and is palatable to a wide range of animal species. Corn is an alternative, but it should be sown with a planter and cultivated or sprayed to control weeds. Another drawback with corn is that it often doesn't do well on rough or dry ground.

Grain plots should be at least one acre, but two to three acres are reasonable if you have lots of deer or wish to supply food through late winter. Field preparation is the same as described for green browse plots except that clover is not seeded. During May, disc the wheat under, lime and fertilize appropriately for milo, then broadcast milo at 15 pounds per acre and disc lightly.

Milo is a good source of carbohydrates and remains available to deer even after a snowfall. If grass hasn't invaded the milo, wheat can be broadcast in the stand during early September at a rate of 1/2 bushel per acre. Disc, replant and fertilize next spring as previously outlined. About 7 to 15 percent of your ground should be sown in grain for optimal deer habitat.

Green Browse and Grain Plot Prescriptions for Missouri Deer
Species	Variety	Planting Date	Broadcast Lbs. Per Acre	Growth Habit	Drought Tolerance	Comments
Alfalfa	Victoria Creeper	Spring, early fall	20-30	Perennial	Very Good	Most productive legume, hard to establish, alfalfa weevil a problem
Clover	Kenslow Red Redland	Winter­April	12­15	Biennial	Fair	Best choice for hay production, mow after second flowering
	Regal Ladino	Spring, fall	2­4	Perennial	Good	Best source of protein, susceptible to dry, hot weather
	White Dutch	Aug.­Oct.	3­6	Perennial	Poor	Tolerates shade, but not drought
Wheat	Stacy Clark Caldwell Bin-Run	Sept.­Nov.	30­60	Annual	Fair to Poor	Also attractive to turkeys
Rye		Sept.­Oct.	112­168	Annual	Fair
Milo	Savannah 5	May­June	10­15	Annual	Good

Burning and Discing

Burning or discing to create wild foods for deer has been called the poor man's food plot. Nevertheless, they can be effective methods to improve deer browse availability. Both management practices set back succession and are useful in areas where planted food plots may not be practical. To manage wild foods for deer browse, simply disc open ground to encourage weed growth. Forbs and fertilized plots typically are preferred over grasses. One bag of 13-13-13 per quarter-acre should be adequate to encourage a lush stand of annual forbs. When forbs are mature, another discing will allow a new crop of wild browse to grow. With good rainfall, you may be able to disc two to three times a year.

Timing and location selection for burning is a bit more complicated and can be dangerous. Before burning, contact a Conservation Department biologist to assist you with the site selection and burn plan.

Managing habitat and planting food plots for deer is rewarding. Seeing deer tracks and browse signs in a food plot or managed area is a measure of success. Buck rubs and bedding sites in your fire wood cuts indicate you've created some preferred habitat. Taking an interest in deer habitat allows you to learn more about deer-and that makes you a better naturalist, hunter or deer enthusiast.

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Content revision: 20040630

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