Humphreys County Plots 2010

This food plot job was very exciting as I got to meet someone who I admired very much.  A fellow TNDeer member that goes by "BSK" emailed and asked if I could come and chisel and disc his plots in Humphreys County.  BSK is a biologist who works with hunting clubs and private land owners to improve habitat and food sources so that you can improve your hunting land to the best extent.  Upon arriving and getting to check out his awesome hunting cabin, we flew into working up about 6 or 7 plots.  Most of the plots were located on a TVA powerline right of way, and several old logging decks and select cut areas.  It was a real treat getting to hear some of his stories and hearing about some of his research projects that he had conducted on his property.   Here's a few pictures of the days work. 

Will our youth embrace hunting and the outdoors??

I read this blog today on the pheasants forever website and thought it would be worth a share.  Click  here  to check it out . 

Fall Plot-- Perry County, TN

This particular plot was in Perry County, TN just outside of Lobelville.  It consisted of a 5 acre field with a natural funnel  that led to right down to the Buffalo River about  500 yards to the south.  I did'nt get to make many pictures as we are working hard to get ever thing done to beat a rain.   I chiseled the ground as it had'nt been done in years, and then we spread about 1500lbs of pelletized lime and fertilizer.  We then disced the lime and fertilizer into the soil and  broadcast a special clover-brassica mix.

Fall 2010 Food Plots

I thought Id post up some pictures of a few plots I put in this fall.  I have met some great people along the way, and have gotten to see some awesome farms and hunting properties.  We will start in Moore County just outside of Tullahoma, TN.  We put in one small "shot plot" of only 1/8 acre, but it was in a great spot with a stand over looking it.  The larger spot consisted of about an acre, and we sowed wheat, oats, clover, and brassicas.  We also limed and fertilized both plots,  in hopes of planting some summer annuals next spring. 

Quail Conservation

Just thought Id share this story with you from our Tennessee Cooperator Newspaper. Click  here to access the article.   It highlights some of the great cost-share programs that are out there for farmers and land owners to enhance wildlife habitat on there land.   This story is about using field edges that are not very productive and planting them in native grasses or letting them grow up into natural browse for wildlife.  This is productive for not only quail, but other small game as well.  Enjoy!

Calee's 4H Plot- Food and Cover Establishment

     My daughter Calee is in 5th grade now, and one of her 4H projects this past year was the FACE contest.  FACE stands for food and cover establishment.  We met with the county 4H agent and an offical from the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency who explained the guidelines.  Calee picked out the spot, measured its size, took soil samples and collected the seeds we would be planting.  After getting the results back of our soil test, we started breaking ground, and working our fertilizer into the soil.   Once we had the seed bed prepared Calee broadcasted our seed mix,  a mixture of native forbs, corn, millet, sunflowers, and soybeans onto the soil.  She then packed them using a old chain link gate just to give the seed and soil better contact.   All growing season she kept records and photos of how the plot was growing and then constructed a presentation for the county 4H fair.  Calee ended up taking 1st place in the contest and won a best of show ribbon.  It was a very productive project and she did a wonderful job.  Both of us look forward to watching wild game in the plot this fall and winter. 

P.S---I was asked what CRP stood for?  Conservation Reserve Program a land rental program by the government that converts crop land  into native grasses to prevent soil erosion and enhances water supplies with ground water recharge.  CRP can be native grasses, grass filter strips, wind breaks and such.

P.S.S.--- Calee wanted me to be sure and let you know to feed the fish on the left side of the screen .  They
get really hungry!!

Food Plots on a Grand Scale

      For about 4 years I had the opportunity to hunt my father in law's ranch in South Dakota.  For a farm boy from Middle Tennessee to step off a plane to see thousand's upon thousands of acres of CRP and crop land was truly amazing.  It was unlike any place I been before!   While you would think that a food plot would be useless in a area where corn fields are sometimes a square mile or bigger,   I observed how Walt took this ranch and transformed it into a mecca for wildlife.   By adding acres of CRP, planting corn and millet food plots and leaving them standing  for deer, turkey, and pheasants to use as a food source and cover in the harsh winter months, it increased our odds of taking and seeing more game.  In 2009, I was able to go out with Walt and our friend Scott to prepare and plant the corn food plots for the up coming season.  It was exciting to say the least and it was a great feeling to know that all our our hard work made for a great pheasant harvest, and a great deer season.    Here are a few shots of our huge food plots. 

Welcome to Back Acre Food Plots!

     Hello Everyone,     My name is Justin Bryant and I've started this blog so that you can follow me in my travels establishing food plots.   You might even wonder what a food plot actually is.  A food plot is a space of any size where you produce food and habitat for all types of wildlife.  You would truly be amazed at how big of a difference a food plot can make on any size property. 

     I grew up on a farm south west of Murfreesboro,  in the small community of Rockvale.  It was always a treat for me as a child to see wildlife on our farm.  As I grew older and became more interested in hunting and fishing, I began to pay more attention to where I saw game located at.  While our farm consisted mostly of  row crops, we still only saw a few deer here and there and once the crops were harvested they seemed to vanish.   It seemed to me if we could keep food sources year round, we would see and attract more game.

     While in college, as a plant and soil science major, I was able to take many classes relating to soil, forage crop production, grain production, forestery and Wildlife management.  Over the years I have taken corners of the farm that are out of production, and used them to produce small grains, corn, beans, sunflowers and the like to see and attract more willdlife.  While the landscape of our farm has changed alot over the last 20 years,  I am proud to say that now it is not uncommon to see lots of deer, turkey, quail, and other small game
roaming the farm.  I truly believe that by adding food sources and leaving them for game to use as food and cover, is the best move a land owner can make!

     It occured to me one day that other hunters and outdoorsmen could use a service to help them establish food plots to attract more game.  I hope that you will check back often as I am going to try to post pictures of the different farms and properties that I work at so that we can share thoughts and ideas on creating great food sources and habitat. 

Justin