Want to draw deer? Try plain old clover.
One of the biggest aspects of deer hunting these days is planting food plots. If you hunt public land you may be out of the loop on this one, but if you own or lease ground for deer hunting chances are good that you've at least tried planting and growing something for the deer.
As the craze has continued there always seems to be some new plant or seed, a magic bullet that's certain to be the best yet. Some work and some don't, but most of the time it's the old standby, clover, that continues to prove its worth.
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Suppose you'd never heard of clover, but somebody told you about a great new food plot option that was high in protein for growing antlers and fawns, grew in most soils and conditions, lasted for several years and stayed green and productive for up to nine months of the year. Would you be interested? Well that's clover!
As warm as it stayed this past winter I got almost 11 months of a green food source out of my clover plots and they were heavily utilized by both deer and geese.
You can get clover at any farm or ag store, in red, white or crimson varieties, and all will attract deer. But if you're planting specifically as a flood plot the specially designed cultivars from some of the major food plot companies will be even better. There is a lot of research done testing varieties that deer favor, and I've noticed a huge difference in the attractiveness of the Whitetail Institute clover. I've got plots of normal field clover and the more expensive Imperial Whitetail clover and the deer will walk past the other plantings to get to the Imperial Whitetail plots.
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There are several things you can do to get the most out of your clover. Check your ph level with a soil test, although on the Shore the rule is always "when in doubt, add lime," as our soils are typically acidic. Mow your clover when it gets tall and flowers, as that will promote growth of the tender shoots that deer favor. Cut off the top third of the plant as a basic rule, but avoid mowing in the middle of summer when it's hot and dry. Also mow when weeds and grasses invade your clover, and if they get bad, spray the plot with Arrest, or another spray labeled for grass control in clover. Clover doesn't need nitrogen as it affixes its own from the environment, but a light application of 0-20-20 or 5-10-10 can really give it a boost and increase its palatability to deer.
Yes, clover is an old standby. It's not the flashy new choice. But it grows, it's good for your soil, it draws deer and it should always be the staple of your food plots.
DNR forester honored
Congratulations go out to Scott Daniels of the Maryland DNR Forest Service, who was recently recognized as the Forester of the Year by the Northeast Area Association of State Foresters, an organization that covers the area from Maine to Maryland all the way out to Minnesota and Missouri in the midwest. Scott is the go-to guy in my area for answers on anything concerning forests and private woodlots and has always been helpful when I've had a question. It's easy to see why he's respected by his peers.
Outdoor Calendar
Through May 13: Virginia spring wild turkey season
Through May 15: Chesapeake spring striped bass trophy season, main Bay only, one per day, 35-inch minimum
Through May 23: Maryland spring wild turkey season
May 27-28: Eighth annual Ocean City Marlin Club Blue Fish Tournament, OC Marlin Club, Ocean City, 410-213-1613
June 2-4: 21st annual Mid-Atlantic Mako Mania, Bahia Marina, Ocean City, 410-289-7473
Through June 15: Maryland tidal water largemouth bass size limit increases to 15-inch minimum.
Through June 15: Maryland nontidal water largemouth bass season closed, catch and release fishing is permitted