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regions and soil types. But the competi-
tion also created a fertile environment
for the development of new wildlife
forages, including improved strains of
alfalfa, beets, brassicas, chicory, cow-
peas, lablab, sorghum, soybeans, tubers,
turnips and various mixes. In time,
options came forth for virtually every cli-
mate, season and soil type. Planters can
now choose between annuals and peren-
nials, between labor-intensive crops and
those requiring less effort, or can plant
in a rotation that covers many situations
and nutritional needs.
Along the way food plots have
boosted economies in rural America.
In addition to seed and fertilizer, farm
machinery sales have spiked—every-
thing from tractors,
s, chisel plows
and disc harrows to culti-packers, seed
drills and sprayers. Equipment and farm
supply dealers are ringing up sales, and
shops have emerged in many communi-
ties to build small-scale implements and
the box blinds hunters often use.
A Bumper Crop of Good
“While hunters’ main motive for invest-
ing in food plots is to attract, hold and
grow better bucks, along the way some-
thing interesting happens,” explained
Steve Scott. “We hear about it regularly:
Our customers reach a point where they
enjoy the process of planting, managing
the land and improving the habitat as
much or more than the hunting itself. It
gives them a reason to spend more time
on their land as opposed to a few weeks
or months during the hunting season.
“At some point—voluntarily and at the
cost of their time and money—they go all
in for conservation. And that’s really just
an extension, or a more advanced stage,
of what American hunters do,” said Scott.
“Regardless of your involvement in food
plots, all hunters should be aware and
proud of what we do, especially when
we have to go against folks determined
to shut us down.
“Anti-hunting groups raise a lot of
money and make a lot of noise, but in
fact do nothing to help wildlife. Hunters
do plenty. Every one of us supports sci-
entific wildlife management through our
purchase of hunting licenses and permits,
and then we functionally implement the
on-the-ground management necessary
for keeping herds and flocks healthy.
Furthermore, everyone who purchases
firearms, ammunition and archery tackle
helps to fund wildlife management by
paying excise taxes. Amounting to
million in , those funds were divvied
among all states and five .. territo-
ries to pay for research, law enforcement,
land acquisition, habitat improvement,
shooting range development and hunter
safety education,” added Scott.
“Food plots can increase the avail-
ability of high-value nutrition to deer for
miles around. Not only is there reduced
competition for natural browse, but with
access to a diet higher in protein, does
give birth to healthier fawns and are able
to produce more milk for them,” saidA NEW SEASON FOR WHITETAIL INSTITUTE
In late , the Whitetail Institute was acquired by Pradco, owner of numerous
well-known hunting brands.
“The timing was perfect when they approached us,” noted Whitetail Institute VP
Steve Scott. “The main people running the Whitetail Institute are getting older and the
time for new blood was fast approaching. One of the things I’m most excited about,
besides the quality of the people with Pradco, is that they have committed to beefing
up the research and development side. I look forward to seeing the Whitetail Institute
flying even higher with the resources Pradco brings to the table.”
As faithful supporters, Steve and everyone at the Whitetail Institute are now
offering fellow members an exclusive offer to try two of the most popular food
plot products ever created in new larger, trial-size bags that will allow the creation
of food plots big enough to evaluate and hunt over: Imperial Whitetail Clover, ,
square feet; and Winter-Greens, , square feet. That totals nearly one-third acre,
priced at ., shipping included. To order, visit: whitetailinstitute.com/ or call
- - , Monday-Friday - .Scott. “And deer aren’t the only benefi-
ciaries. Depending on the region and the
plantings, bears, turkeys, rabbits, game
birds and more will use plots to meet
nutritional needs. Resident and migrat-
ing song birds frequent them. Many
plots provide wildlife feed when natural
sources are seasonally scarce.
“If we can do a better job spreading
the word about all hunters do, especially
telling our side to non-hunters,” said
Scott, “it will help us defeat those who
want our way of life to go away. I think
of all this as our ‘flak jacket’ against the
anti’s, protection against their dishonest
portrayals of hunters. We just need to let
more people know.”ahSHOULD YOU PLANT FOOD PLOTS?
If you’re curious about getting in on the benefits and satisfaction many
other hunters receive from food plots, here are some key points.
Big acreage is not required. Productive plots span as little as one-
eighth acre.
Some work—and in cases a substantial amount—is required to prepare
the seedbed. Certain plantings, however, require little more than a vig-
orous raking. As is usually true, greater effort yields greater results.
You don’t need to possess farming expertise, but should have your soil
analyzed by the local agricultural extension office in order to learn how
to lime and fertilize it for optimum results. Collecting and submitting
samples is a simple process.
While farming equipment may be needed to work bigger plots, rela-
tively affordable implements are now geared for use with s or even
riding mowers. Access to a tractor may not be necessary.
Food plots can be planted in both spring and fall. The time for fall
planting is coming soon.
Food-plot basics have been covered extensively via magazines, books,
websites and /video. resources are readily available. For more
food-plot info, visit americanhunter.org/foodplots.