Are you wondering How to Plant & Maintain a Deer Food Plot in Cherokee County, GA? For landowners and hunters in Cherokee County, Georgia, establishing a deer food plot is one of the most rewarding ways to improve local wildlife habitat and enhance your hunting opportunities. The rolling hills and mixed forests of our region provide a fantastic environment for white-tailed deer, but a well-managed food plot can concentrate that activity and support a healthier herd. It transforms a piece of land into a reliable, high-nutrition destination for deer and other wildlife.
However, creating a successful food plot involves more than just scattering some seeds. It requires careful planning, an understanding of our local conditions, and consistent maintenance. This guide provides a practical, step-by-step approach specifically for Cherokee County, covering everything from selecting the right site to maximizing your plot’s effectiveness during hunting season. Learn more about our deer plot mixes here.
Step 1: Site Selection and Preparation
The location of your food plot is the single most important factor in its success. A poorly chosen site will struggle to grow quality forage, regardless of how much effort you put in.
Finding the Right Spot
When scouting your property in Cherokee County, look for an area that meets these criteria:
- Sunlight: Most food plot species need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid areas with heavy canopy cover or on the north side of steep slopes. An opening in the woods or along a field edge is often ideal.
- Soil and Drainage: Look for relatively flat ground with good drainage. Avoid low-lying areas that stay wet after a rain, as this can rot seeds and stunt plant growth. The red clay common in our area can be productive but often needs amendment.
- Accessibility: You will need to get equipment like a tractor or ATV to the site for tilling, planting, and fertilizing. Ensure you have a clear path to your chosen location.
- Proximity to Cover: Deer feel safest when they are near thick cover. A food plot located close to a bedding area or a dense thicket will see more daytime activity. The ideal shape is often a long, narrow plot or an irregular L-shape, which makes deer feel more secure than a wide-open square.
Once you’ve chosen your site, you need to clear it. Remove all existing vegetation, including trees, stumps, and brush. This is the most labor-intensive part of the process but is essential for creating a clean seedbed.
Step 2: Test Your Soil – Don’t Skip This Step!
Guessing what your soil needs is a common and costly mistake. The acidic clay soils prevalent in Cherokee County almost always require amendments to grow productive forage. A soil test is an inexpensive tool that gives you a precise roadmap for success.
Your local UGA Extension office in Cherokee County offers easy and affordable soil testing. Collect about 15-20 small samples from across your plot area, mix them in a clean bucket, and submit a portion for analysis. The report will tell you the soil’s pH and its levels of key nutrients like phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Most importantly, it will provide specific recommendations on how much lime and fertilizer to apply for the crop you intend to plant.
Step 3: Choose the Right Forage Species for Cherokee County
Your forage choice should be driven by your goals. Are you creating a fall hunting plot or a year-round nutritional source? Georgia’s climate allows for both cool-season and warm-season plantings.
Cool-Season Annuals (Fall Hunting Plots)
These are planted in late summer or early fall and provide high-quality forage throughout hunting season. They are the most popular choice for Cherokee County hunters.
- Cereal Grains (Oats, Wheat, Rye): Cereal rye is exceptionally hardy and can tolerate our clay soils well. Oats are highly palatable to deer but are less cold-tolerant. A mix of the three provides forage over a longer period.
- Brassicas (Turnips, Radishes, Kale): These are fantastic for late-season attraction. Deer often ignore them until after the first frost, which converts starches to sugars and makes the plants sweeter. Daikon radishes are particularly good for breaking up compacted clay soil.
- Clovers (Crimson, Arrowleaf): These annual clovers germinate quickly and are deer magnets. They also fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting future plantings.
A popular and effective mix for Cherokee County is a combination of cereal rye, crimson clover, and a brassica like radishes.
Warm-Season Annuals (Spring/Summer Plots)
Planted in the spring, these provide crucial nutrition for does raising fawns and bucks growing antlers.
- Cowpeas and Soybeans: These legumes are extremely high in protein but can be difficult to establish, as deer will browse them heavily from the moment they sprout.
- Buckwheat: A fast-growing cover crop that is great for conditioning soil and attracting deer during the summer.
Step 4: Planting and Fertilization Schedule
Timing is everything. Following a proper schedule ensures your plants establish themselves before hunting season or before the summer heat.
For Fall Hunting Plots:
- Late Summer (August): Begin site prep. Clear the land and perform your initial tillage. Take your soil sample and send it for testing.
- Early September: Apply lime based on your soil test results. Lime takes time to work, so the earlier you apply it, the better. Till it into the soil.
- Mid-to-Late September: This is the ideal planting window for most cool-season annuals in Cherokee County. Prepare the final seedbed by disking or tilling the soil until it is smooth and firm. Broadcast your seed, then use a drag or cultipacker to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Apply your starter fertilizer at this time, following the recommendations from your soil test.
Weed Control
Weeds compete with your forage for sunlight, water, and nutrients. The best defense is a thick, healthy stand of food plot plants that can outcompete weeds. Mowing before weeds go to seed can help, and for persistent problems, a selective herbicide may be necessary. Always read the label to ensure it is safe for your chosen forage and for wildlife.
Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance for Year-Round Success
A food plot is not a “plant it and forget it” project. Consistent maintenance will protect your investment and keep the plot productive.
- Monitor for Overgrazing: If your plot is too small for the local deer density, it can be eaten down to the dirt before it has a chance to mature. Using temporary fencing or a product like P2 Plot Protector can shield young plants until they are established.
- Top-Dress with Nitrogen: For grasses and brassicas, a second application of nitrogen fertilizer (like 34-0-0) about 4-6 weeks after planting will give them a significant boost in growth and attraction.
- Mow Perennial Plots: If you establish a perennial clover plot, regular mowing during the summer will control weeds and stimulate new, tender growth.
Beyond deer, your food plot will become a hub for all sorts of wildlife. Turkeys will feed on the tender greens and insects, and countless songbirds and small mammals will benefit from the food and cover.
Maximizing Your Plot for Hunting Season
To make your food plot an effective hunting tool, consider its placement in relation to your stand.
- Plan Your Entry and Exit: Set up your stand so you can access it without walking through the food plot or crossing major deer trails. Your scent can alert deer and cause them to avoid the area during daylight.
- Hunt the Edges: Position your stand to overlook the plot from downwind, often 20-30 yards into the woods off the edge. This provides cover and keeps your scent away from approaching deer.
- Create Staging Areas: Hinge-cut a few trees on the edge of the plot to create thick cover. This encourages bucks to “stage” or linger in the area before stepping out into the open, offering a potential shot opportunity.
By following this guide and adapting it to your specific property, you can create a thriving food plot that supports a healthier deer herd and provides you with seasons of successful hunting right here in Cherokee County.
by Lyndsy Bradley – Red Mango Marketing Agribusiness Expert