How to Build Feed Plots for Deer

White-tailed deer are the most abundant large game animal in the United States. Creating feed plots is one way to attract these animals to your property for observation or hunting. Careful planning, soil preparation and seed selection are key elements to a successful feed plot establishment. As the feed plot matures, the amount of deer attracted to the site will grow.

• 1

  Collect soil from several locations around the proposed feed plot site. The feed plot site must be well-drained with exposure to sunlight at least six hours each day. Combine the soil samples and dry. Deliver the sample to your local agricultural extension service for analysis. Be sure to indicate that the site is for a deer feed plot.

• 2

  Mow all of the tall vegetation in the feed plot area.

• 3

  Cultivate the feed plot site with the rototiller. Attempt to work the soil to a final depth between 3 to 4 inches deep. Remove all errant roots and rocks from the planting site.

• 4

  Incorporate the recommend fertilizer based upon the soil test results.

• 5

  Broadcast the seed based upon the extension service's recommendations for your area. In most cases, this will be a cool-weather crop seed if planting in autumn. Warm-weather crops should only be planted if you are preparing a spring feed plot for deer.