How To Utilize Elevation Changes In Food Plot Planning?

Identifying Key Elevation Features

When planning a food plot, it’s essential to identify key elevation features such as ridges, draws, and knobs. These features can be used to create staging areas where deer congregate to feed, rest, and escape from predators. For example, a 10-acre staging area on a north-facing slope can provide a thermal sanctuary for deer during the winter months. By placing a kill plot near this staging area, hunters can intercept deer as they move between feeding and bedding areas.

Designing a Multi-Dimensional Habitat

To create a multi-dimensional habitat, hunters should incorporate a variety of landscape features such as screening cover, trail systems, and kill plots. For example, a 3-acre kill plot can be placed on a south-facing slope to take advantage of sunlight and warmth. A 1-acre screening cover of native vegetation can be planted around the kill plot to funnel deer into the area. A 2-acre trail system can be designed to connect the staging area to the kill plot, allowing deer to move freely between the two.

Creating a Food Plot Layout

When designing a food plot layout, hunters should consider the elevation changes and landscape features of the property. For example, a 5-acre food plot can be divided into three smaller plots, each placed on a different elevation level. The upper plot can be planted with a high-protein crop such as clover, while the lower plot can be planted with a high-carbohydrate crop such as oats. A trail system can be designed to connect the three plots, allowing deer to move freely between them.