What Is a Food Plot?

A food plot is a deliberately planted area of vegetation designed to attract and nutritionally support deer and other wildlife. Unlike feeders, food plots provide a natural foraging experience and can offer nutrition across extended periods of the year. They're used by hunters, wildlife managers, and deer enthusiasts alike.

Planning Your Food Plot

Choosing a Location

Location is the single most important factor in food plot success. Look for:

  • Existing deer travel routes: Trails, fence crossings, and natural funnels between bedding and feeding areas
  • Edge habitat: Areas bordering woods and open fields see heavy deer use
  • Sunlight: Most food plot species need at least 4–6 hours of direct sun daily
  • Soil drainage: Avoid low, waterlogged spots that will kill most plantings
  • Access for equipment: You'll need to get a tractor or ATV in for planting and maintenance

Plot Size

Bigger isn't always better. Small plots of half an acre to one acre positioned strategically often outperform large open fields. Multiple small plots distributed across a property can attract and hold deer more effectively than one large plot.

Soil Testing: Don't Skip This Step

Before planting anything, get a soil test. Most cooperative extension services offer affordable testing. You need to know your soil's pH and nutrient levels because most food plot species prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Lime applications to correct acidic soil should be done several months before planting whenever possible.

Best Food Plot Plants for Deer

Cool-Season Options (Plant in Late Summer/Fall)

  • Clover (red, white, crimson): Highly attractive to deer, high in protein, and perennial varieties return for years
  • Brassicas (turnips, radishes, rape, kale): Deer love brassica plots especially after frost sweetens the roots; excellent late-season nutrition
  • Winter wheat and rye: Fast-growing, reliable, and provide green forage well into cold weather
  • Oats: Palatable and quick to establish; great for hunting season plots

Warm-Season Options (Plant in Spring)

  • Soybeans: Exceptional protein source; deer browse the plants all summer and return for beans in fall
  • Corn: Provides carbohydrates and standing cover; deer use standing corn heavily in winter
  • Cowpeas: Fast-growing summer annual that deer absolutely love; easy to establish
  • Sunflowers: Attract deer in summer; seeds provide calories in fall

Step-by-Step Planting Process

  1. Clear existing vegetation — mow, disc, or spray with an appropriate herbicide if needed
  2. Till the soil — break up compaction and create a good seedbed
  3. Apply lime and fertilizer — based on your soil test results
  4. Plant at the correct depth — small seeds like clover barely need covering; larger seeds like corn need 1–2 inches
  5. Ensure good seed-to-soil contact — cultipack or roll after seeding small seeds
  6. Monitor and manage — watch for weed competition, especially in the first weeks

Managing Deer Pressure

Ironically, food plots can fail because deer love them too much. If deer are overgrazing a young clover plot before it establishes, consider temporary fencing or planting a larger area to distribute pressure. Brassica plots are often left alone until fall, which gives them time to grow without heavy browsing.

Year-Round Nutrition Strategy

The most effective approach combines multiple plots with different planting dates to provide nutrition throughout the year. A warm-season soybean plot paired with a fall brassica/clover plot ensures deer have access to quality forage from spring through late winter.