What Are Common Mistakes To Avoid When Designing A Food Plot?

Planning the Viewshed

When designing a food plot, it’s essential to consider the deer’s viewshed, which is the area they can see from a specific vantage point. This includes not only the food plot itself but also any surrounding habitat features such as trees, hills, and ridges. A good rule of thumb is to place the food plot in a location where it is visible from at least two sides, allowing deer to approach from multiple angles. This can be achieved by creating a kill plot on one side of the food plot, which is an area of dense vegetation that deer will naturally gravitate towards when they sense danger.

Creating Staging Areas and Trail Systems

Deer need staging areas to transition between different habitats, such as food plots, bedding areas, and escape routes. These staging areas should be located along natural travel corridors, such as fence lines, roads, and game trails. To create an effective trail system, consider using a minimum of 50% screening cover, such as native grasses and shrubs, to conceal the trail from deer. This will encourage them to use the trail and thereby increase the effectiveness of your food plot. A good ratio for trail system design is to allocate 20% of the total area for trails, 30% for staging areas, and 50% for food plots.

Habitat Diversity and Kill Plots

A diverse habitat is essential for maintaining a healthy deer population. To incorporate habitat diversity into your food plot design, consider planting a mix of native grasses, legumes, and forbs. A good rule of thumb is to allocate at least 20% of the food plot to native vegetation. Additionally, consider creating a kill plot on one side of the food plot, as mentioned earlier. This can be achieved by planting dense vegetation, such as clover or alfalfa, in a small area (approximately 1/4 acre) that deer will naturally gravitate towards when they sense danger.