Food plots for turkey and deer?

[Workin Man]

A friend has a cottage south east of Barrie, Ontario on approx 20 acres and would like to improve the habitat there. It is mostly wooded with a 3 or 4 small clearings, all well under 1/4 acre in size. The clearings all recieve a good amount of light and the soil is somewhat sandy. Looking for plantings that will come up year after year. He is looking primarily at a food source for deer, but if it can benefit turkey as well, so much the better. Deer are already using the property as a bedding area, lots of turkeys frequenting the property as well, but limited food sources. Any suggestions on what to plant would be a big help.

 

[Campbery]

If you’re looking for a perennial then you have two choices; clover and alfalfa. Both loved by deer and turkey. Look for a local seed distributor that can mix a blend of both. There's lots of books and resources on the internet, mostly american. "Grow'em right" is a good book written by a couple guys from upstate NY that can be applied to southern Ontario. Here are some pics of a plot we put in this year with Bishop's seed out of Harriston, Ont. Send me a PM if you have any more specific questions. Good luck.

 

[Workin Man]

Thanks Campberry. What is all in the mix you used? I can see the turnip, but can't really identify any of the other plants from the photo. I'll check out Bishop's, Harriston isn't too far out of my way.

 

[Snuffy]

How do the deer respond to the plot?

I am in the area of Harriston and am thinking about doing a plot next year.

Been doing some reading but most of the information is souther states.

 

[cdngunner]

Just keep in mind the size of the deer population in your area. A "small" field can get decimated quickly. If your around the place a feeder could be an idea also

 

[Campbery]

Deer, Turkey and all the wildlife in the area have been using the foodplot. Makes for a pretty cool place to sit in the evening.
We had used a seed blend, 15 different strains to avoid the over grazing issue. In the spring they ate the clover, alfalfa and chicory. Late summer until now they have been hitting the cabbage type stuff, kale etc. After frost they should switch to the sugar beets.
We figured in 1.2 acres we have about 2 tuns of food, 15 deer eating about 5lbs per day could destroy things in about 2 months, hasn't been an issue yet as the deer are hitting a soy bean field near by at night and still using traditional forages.
So far it's been worth it and I can only see it getting better, we hope to get 5years out of this plot. 2 days work in the spring was a hell of alot easier and cheeper than buying feed and getting it out there for the season. More benefital for the whole property as well.