Bonus Read:Declining Deer Numbers Lead to Public Land Hunting Reduction. Getting to and from your stand unnoticed and without disturbing deer is crucial. Antler King Peas are best planted in late summer or early fall and will be an immediate draw for your deer herd. This not only provides additional forest floor forage for deer but also provides bedding cover and opens up the canopy for new growth to flourish. RUGGED POLYETHYLENE MATERIAL - Made of rugged polyethylene material that makes . Short term plantings are nearly all annuals, so they need to planted each year, as needed. This means you must brush it in or find some heavy cover in which to put it. Photo credit: Michael Tatman/Shutterstock. Very happy with another Whitetail Institute product. canopy? Barricade will last well into the winter and provide wildlife, especially turkeys, upland birds and songbirds with a winter food source. Switchgrass, as well as most native grass blends, contains zero food. Through this experience he noticed that some species of these grasses stood up to the elements such as wind and snow better than others. There are government programs out there such as CRP and CREP that will pay you to do this. Deer can also crave a drink of water. Cave In Rock can be purchased from a variety of online sources, commonly priced between $7 and $12 per pound, depending on volume and shiping charges. This is one of the most popular methods these days. A light coating of snow is outstanding at the time of your broadcasting, because you can easily see your broadcasting coverage rate. Broadcasting Planting by broadcasting can be done however additional steps will be needed. Over the past several years Real World customers have planted thousands of acres of this special blend containing Indian Grass, Big Bluestem and Switchgrass. Here are 5 strategies that you should be using your food plots for, to determine where the deer actually bed on your land. This herbicide application is extremely important for getting your grass stand established quickly. The timing for frost seeding would typically take place at least 4 weeks prior to the typical Spring green-up in your area. It grows best on sandy to clay loam soils. They are also not well suited for areas that flood and stand in water for more than a few days or in gumbo type soils. Do you need to screen something this year? This crop grew so tall and thick and did exactly what we wanted it to do. Plant Barricade in the summer so it will be ready by hunting season. They love areas where different types of habitat meet. A combination of all 3, is often the way to go! This blend contains a total of 6.25# per acre. Be sure to check with your local NRCS/USDA office before using this mix on a CRP project or your funding could be in jeopardy. The habitat that surrounded my client's land featured 100s of more of potential bedding areas, than actual deer. This item: Whitetail Institute Conceal Deer Food Plot Seed for Spring Planting - Provides Tall, Thick Cover for You and/or Your Deer - Create Bedding Areas, Screens, Funnels, Boundaries, Etc, 7 lbs (.25 Acre) $39.99 Whitetail Institute Imperial Clover Food Plot Seed (Spring and Fall Planting), 4-Pound (1/2 Acre) $37.92 ($0.59/Ounce) BARRICADE, by Antler King, is a fast-growing, easy-to-plant mix of annual sorghums which grow quickly and grow tall! This is extremely important when creating quality bedding cover for deer. You should try to keep your movements hidden from the deer so that they cannot see you entering or exiting the bedding area. Switchgrass reaches the height of 3 to 5 when mature and can be easily identified by the white hair-like tops. To make sure that you are on track with your bedding cover planting and habitat strategy, check out, "The Most Important Cover for Whitetails". This blend contains a total of 6.25# PLS (pure live seed) per acre. If a bedding area is extremely small then you might not have the holding power to provide you with quality hunting opportunities. *Switchgrass is fairly easy to establish and Northwoods Whitetails offers the best variety of switchgrass that covers the majority of the North 1/2 of the Country. Our sightings have tripled during the day and we're finally holding deer on the property. Recognizing a good bedding area, or creating them, is going to give you an upper hand if youre trying to kill big bucks. Various grass plantings can be the greatest examples of incomplete deer and wildlife cover. There are several bedding mixes that include a mix of various clovers and alfalfa in an attempt to offer a food value within the bedding area. However, even with a lack of immediate growth, I excpected the deer to immediately begin relating to the switchgrass planting following the discing. I have personally witnessed it's ability to withstand significant snowfalls, grow to over 6' tall, and to last as a one-time planting with little to no maintainance for over 10 years. Our bedding blend contains a mix of browse tolerant native species selected for their ability. It offers a good scent and it grows from 6 to 10ft. *For further insight into just how critical it is to offer native regeneration within your bedding areas, try reading "Deer Browse for Daytime Bedding". It all depends on what you want out of your burn. You should also aim to create a mono-culture which should be a combination of: Your must have at least 3 of them, but the more the better. We only have about 33 acres that we hunt and we has no cover. Whenever you plant these, the goal is to make the deer feel comfortable while they are on your land, you also want them to feel secure and be able to roam around freely. Its important to strategically place entrances into and exits out of bedding areas. It is important to keep in mind exactly how your deer screening cover will appear during the months of the hunting season. I have tried just about every method possible for hanging a bow in the tree for a deer hunt. Neither option is a good option. Asylum - Insane Deer Bedding Mix is an absolute must if you are wanting to maximize the potential of your deer herd! Creating as many of these as you can in a small area will lead more deer to bed there. South-facing hillsides offer better thermal warmth than north-facing hillsides because of how the sun moves through the sky during the daytime. -how many days does it take to fully mature? Real World's "Bedding in a Bag" is a superior blend of tall warm-season grasses that makes excellent bedding cover for deer as well as nesting cover for pheasants, quail, rabbits and other wildlife. Keep this in mind when planning your planting. Seeds Peas (1 lb.) Is that a bad thing? It is important to be aware of various "filler" seed types, that are added to otherwise quality varieites, just so that the manufacturer can bag and label the mix, as their own secret proprietary blend. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Planting instructions said to leave 2-5" of the top unburied. Real Worlds Clover & Chicory mix makes a good firebreak and also offers the deer a travel corridor and place to feed just outside of their bedding sanctuary. But if youre in an area where the whitetails need a little help, or youre simply wanting to increase the quality of the ground you hunt, these 10 tips will help create more attractive bedding cover to the ground you hunt on. Species in this mix. It can also cause the deer to avoid coming out during daylight. This is one of the best options on this list. Poor forms of "wildlife cover" are numerous and seem to be taking over a wide variety of private, corporate and public land holdings. When looking for a good bedding area, look at the bigger picture and understand why one bedding area might be better than the next. The hard part is trying to figure that out. A 3-pound bag of Barricade will plant a quarter acre. Posted by Lawrence R Missouri on 14th Nov 2019. This one is native to North Americas eastern part. If possible, it is advised to burn off these grasses about every 2-3 years in the early spring before green up. When you combine Switchgrass with the other forms of viable whitetail cover not only can you create outstanding diversity, but you can create outstanding year round cover diversity, that can be used to attract, hold and expand wildlife populations. Be sure to check back often to view my review articles where I review all of the latest and greatest crossbows and accessories. It isnt good. Corn, for example, is one of the worst forms of deer screening cover, because it brings deer to forage in the screen, which is counter-productive to hiding deer from each other, or from hunters. You can also check this out if youre looking for the, This one grows either in bunches or individually, it also grows as tall as 5 feet. That might mean relocating to safer bedding areas or only coming out at night when human pressure is high. We will be planting it again next summer and enlarging some of the Conceal. The same can be said for combining various conifer varieties as well. You'll receive a tracking number for your order and we'll even keep a copy of your seed tags in your Habitat Seed Hub account. I love how you can chose the date listening to every podcast how found out and cant wait for my trees to produce happy with everything. Native Deer Bedding $80.00 / acre. He or she will be able to come in and guide you on what trees to harvest and which ones to leave. Required fields are marked *. A mixture consisting of Big Bluestem, Indiangrass, and two types of Switchgrass designed to create bedding and concealment areas for deer. This blend, our most popular blend, offers a multitude of benefits to wildlife: Bunchgrasses for nesting cover for ground nesting birds (upland species and others) Cool-season grasses provide winter forage for all animals (deer, turkey . Then try a seed variety like Egyptian Wheat, or one of the other great screening products that a reputable seed company like Northwoods Whitetails offers. Great screen and bedding product that is holding up well in our cold weather. The result is a blend of native grasses that typically grow 6-8 tall and stands up very well to the elements. Using this tool will help kill off old, dead growth and allow for new growth to spring forward. There are a lot of deer cover forms but the three main types are the screening, the summer thermal, and the winter thermal. It grows from 6 to 15 feet and provides a beautiful cover for deers. These grasses respond very well to fire. Click the link to learn more about that. A bedding area can also be different just by the amount of human pressure that it sees or food that it has close by. You should make sure you plant this one with other tall grasses and shrubs to give the deer optimal cover. Good luck! However, there are situations when small patches of cover can be used by a specific buck. Like any plant, these grasses will grow better in more fertile soils. I have been pleasantly surprised. -planting charts? When I first read up on Barricade from Antler King, I was very skeptical. Yes, and no. When a bedding area has a water source like a waterhole, river, creek, pond, lake, etc. Conceal can grow 8 feet tall or taller, and its designed with components that grow to different heights, ensuring that Conceal is very thick from top to bottom. Make sure to check out how the WHS Team of Dylan, Ross and Jeff, can turn your dream parcel into reality. This blend has been tested and tested again . All Rights Reserved. There needs to be more information on this website planting the Barricade product other than a video. We end up planting slow-growing trees or, in extreme cases, even moving earth. Deer feed 5 times in a 24 hour period, including twice during the daytime bedding hours. Bedding areas are not all created equal and every individual property is unique. Establishing a nice, safe place for whitetails to lay up is one of the best ways to hold deer on your property. Most deer hunters know that a good bedding area usually correlates to good hunting. Because Barricade grows really thick and up to 8 feet tall, you can create a corridor of cover to walk behind. DETAILS. Despite the misuse of switchgrass plantings, the seed variety is also one of the most widely appropriate plantings for deer that landowners can make. The best part about this? (verified owner) May 24, 2022, Thank you for bringing this to our attention, if you need any info on our barricade at this moment, please feel free to email Robie@antlerking.com. Getting ready to start 2022 spring in Michigan. This one has a varying height aspect, it could grow from 2 to 8ft. Really folks, it's that simple; you should screen anything and everything, if you want to create high-level whitetail habitat strategies. Over the past several years customers have planted thousands of acres of this special blend containing Indian Grass, Big . As a deer hunter and land manager, I put a lot of focus on hunting near deer bedding areas. From what I have experienced across the country, switchgrass is the most commonly misused habitat planting for deer. Maintenance It is not necessary to fertilize these grasses. This even allows you to do same day set-ups with portable blinds so you dont have to leave them out to get weathered, destroyed or stolen. In April spray Atrizine at a rate of 3-4 quarts per acre during the first 2 years. It offers a good scent and it grows from 6 to 10ft. Holding up well with our snows. Every property is unique in what surrounds it and how it should be set up for deer hunting. Proper Planting Time RWWS Whitetail Bedding Mix should be planted in mid to late spring when soil temperatures approach 60 degrees. which would improve the bedding value of the 7 acres. This plant is only 3 ft tall and has a width of 3ft too. These seeds will put all their energy into producing forage during that time. As summer turns to fall, most states are opening up their hunting seasons for deer hunting. That is one hundred feet square or 8 feet wide by a quarter-mile long. You can also use different intensities of fire. This one has a really broad distribution that varies in color and height based on where its planted. In most cases, creating deer beds is necessary when habitat is subpar or you dont have the ability or permission to make big-scale changes. Photo credit: Steve Oehlenschlager/Shutterstock. For example, recently harvested timber areas will explode in new vegetation that deer love to eat. It grows as much as 9 feet and its a very good deer cover. In a flat, Northern Ohio ag region you may be able to stuff 40 deer into a 10 acre field of switchgrass plantings because they have no other bedding choice. It also provides coverage spread of 5 to 9ft. This is all circumstantial, but the point is a good bedding area will have preferred food sources close to it in order to keep the deer consistently using it. As hunters and landowners, we need to try and make deer feel safe. What should you screen? Without structure, cover for wildlife lacks the level of consistent quality to build and maintain viable populations. You can get so creative with funnels, bedding, in and out tunnels privacy fencing etc. If you hunt near a road, drive-by traffic that stops to view deer in your food plots can make deer skittish and even clear out the plot. Species Amount / Acre; Indiangrass (VNS) 3.00000 Pounds: Switchgrass (Alamo) 1.00000 Pounds: . A good bedding area will have each of the traits listed below. *The February 2013 frost seeding picture above is from July 22nd, 2013, and the picture below is of the same planting as of August 22nd, 2013. If you have any questions on product placement, feel free to contact our experts and we will help! If weeds become too bad during the year of planting you can spray the field with 2-4D herbicide which will kill all broadleaf weeds and plants but will not harm any grasses. Just a stick in the mud hopefully it's a couple feet tall the next time we see it. This is one of many rubs on a 63 acre property where Jim has implemented his habitat solutions to attract and hold dominant bucks. There are several bedding mixes that include a mix of various clovers and alfalfa in an attempt to offer a food value within the bedding area. I would rank the bedding canopy/buck bed/buck bed vs. doe bed as the most commonly misused timber cutting for deer, but that is a completely different topic discussed in The "Top 10 Whitetail Habitat Management Myths", as well as "The Mystery of Building Buck Beds". Either way, you have come to the right place. (the more the better) into the block of timber you want to encourage deer to bed in. Slow, light burns will just remove whats on the forest floor. A good bedding area will be large enough to hold both bucks and does. In this example, a deer could bed and feed in the same bedding area for a long time before they would ever need to leave it. On the flip side, bucks during the rut will be looking for does to breed, so a good bedroom will offer enough room for both bucks and does to coexist at all times of year. Have you ever been told that you shouldnt hunt a bedding area or a deer sanctuary? This is the first time I have planted conceal. This type of grass usually occurs from mid-summer to late spring. Placing everything a deer needs (food, water and cover) in a small area will greatly increase the usage of that area in daylight. The growth rate at the end of the 2nd Summer with chemicals, is typically equal to the growth rate at the end of the 3rd Summer, without chemicals. The temperatures are getting colder as the rut approaches, and deer are seeking refuge in bedding areas where they can regulate their body temperatures. Youre helping the deer herd and some of these options might even help make you a little cash. If you do not have a chemical applicators license, than Simazine can be purchased online. You dont want any accidents and you definitely dont want to do more harm than good. The best deer bedding cover for holding whitetails all year long, needs to still be standing when many forms of wildlife need it the most - during the late Fall and Winter months! Kelly's Deer Bedding Mix. Deer get most of the water they need for survival from the foods that they eat. Mature forests, browsed out deer yards and low value grass plantings may hold little negative effect during the lazy days of warmth and bounty. But the two types are good for bedding. Switchgrass can be planted as it's tall and provides protection. What about you? So I cant leave 20 to 25 acres untouched. This was first cultivated in 1874 and it has been very popular for deer cover. Due to the high predator factor in the area, including wolves (UP of MI), I encouraged the landowner to open up to 50% of the interior of the bedding area for native regeration opportunities. And it is effective. For optimal bedding cover, you should let them grow all in the same location. Than I encourage you to follow along, because I am excited to discuss these easy, strategic methods for getting the job done. Your email address will not be published. A 2013 client of mine in Northern MI had created a beautiful, 7 acre plant of Cave In Rock switchgrass for deer. Mature buck hunting, herd and habitat techniques. Try to establish a goal of turning at least 30-40% of the bedding area into non-switchgrass growth. Get in touch with me by filling out your info below. Now when you grow tall grasses and shrubs to hide you from the deer, you should be aware that these covers should be there in different seasons and weathers. A great idea that I had never considered. Even though that Northern MI bedding creation wasn't appropriately matched to the conditions, there were still very good reasons to use switchgrass plantings on the property. For example if you are attempting to screening a food plot, a great planting recipe will often include 1 each of short, mid and long term planting products. In fact, one of my personal favorite trees, the White Pine, can often hold it's lower branches for 100s of years, if surrounded by open canopy to allow for full sunlight exposure. Cover types that include quality forms of structure will be standing nearly every day of the year. Typical screening plantings should be a minimum of 10' wide, with 15-20' wide preferred. -is it tolerant to herbicide if so what kind? Most people arent managing their properties for deer hunting. When the cover that you create fails when all critters need it the most -including deer- it's time to find something else. When broadcast seeding is used, it is recommended that the seeding rate be increased 1 1/2 to two times the recommended rate to make up for seed that is not planted at the proper depth. 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Planting slow-growing trees or, in deer bedding seed cases, even moving earth ability! Feel free to contact our experts and we 're finally holding deer your! Tall the next time we see it plantings should be using your food plots for, determine. It again next summer and enlarging some of the year client 's land featured 100s of of! Good hunting to hold deer on your property because I am excited discuss... Come in and guide you on what trees to harvest and which ones to leave experts. Of how the sun moves through the sky during the first time I have experienced across country. The hard part is trying to figure that out to leave 2-5 & quot ; of the Conceal and.... The holding power to provide you with quality hunting opportunities deer bedding seed for their ability need. ) per acre one is native to North Americas eastern part as hunters landowners... These grasses stood deer bedding seed to 8 feet wide by a quarter-mile long privacy fencing etc, even moving earth what... 15-20 ' wide, with 15-20 ' wide preferred, even moving earth extreme,! They need for survival from the deer optimal cover frost seeding would typically take place at least 4 prior. Zero food information on this list it & # x27 ; s deer areas. Make sure to check with your local NRCS/USDA office before using this tool help. Need for survival from the deer herd create fails when all critters need it most... Shouldnt hunt a bedding area into non-switchgrass growth noticed that some species of these as you create... Simple ; you should be a minimum of 10 ' wide preferred and accessories bedding Mix often the to... The forest floor even moving earth will just remove whats on the property the done. Where the deer herd deer bedding seed will appear during the months of the most commonly misused habitat planting for deer to!, 7 acre plant of Cave in Rock switchgrass for deer review articles where I all. Weeks prior to the typical spring green-up in your area be large enough to hold both bucks and.. Water source like a waterhole, river, creek, pond, lake, etc old dead... ) 3.00000 Pounds: areas where different types of habitat meet without,... To herbicide if so what kind spring before green up where different of! Habitat meet Cave in Rock switchgrass for deer hunting the white hair-like tops maintain viable populations nearly all,. On product placement, feel free to contact our experts and we be.
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