What would you say if I told you that you should consider turning those same old spring/summer and fall/winter food plots into permanent food plots that last a life time? You would say, "Dennis, have you fallen off a turnip truck?" The permanent food plots I am talking about is the planting of soft and hard mast trees as well as other plants like honeysuckle vines, berry plants and various shrubs.

These not only benefit deer, turkey and other wildlife but will make your property far more valuable in the long run.

I was honored to recently spend time with the premier wildlife nursery producer in the nation “Wildlife Group” located in Tuskegee, Alabama just around the corner from the famous home of the Tuskegee Airmen. It didn’t take long for Wayne Bassett of the Wildlife Group to convince me I was in heaven, and my education experience of wildlife management via permanent food plots was about to begin. I was first treated to a tour of how the process of the propagation of fruit trees to clone various select varieties t o produce identical plant to the select mother plant. I was curious why the electric fence was around the isle after isle of hundreds of fruit trees, and Wayne said it was simple, the deer have not caught on yet that the y are creating the plants for them and for the deer to just be patient. Next, I toured the apple trees and even got to test out some of the biggest Arkansas Black Apples on such a small tree that I have ever seen.  The last lesson plan was hard mast trees consisting of White Oak, Nutall, Sawtooth Oak ,and the tree that blew me off my feet was the Chinese Chestnut tree which to my surprise is the number one tree in attracting deer of the hard mast family of trees. 

I was later taken to see what a true permanent food plot looked like on hunting land, and I was overwhelmed by the sign of deer everywhere I looked around the Chestnut and White Oak acorn trees. I was shown a grove of mature apple and pear trees that draws a crowd of deer late every afternoon. So, if you want to raise the value of your hunting land and draw the deer away from your neighbor’s land, you need to be putting part of your land into permanent food plots. Your wildlife will love you for it.

Find a good wildlife nursery in your area; one that will work very closely with the Agriculture College or University in your region of the country. Working with a dedicated wildlife nursery will help you to reap  from the years of trial and error by the nursery to produce the best of the best plants, trees and shrubs. Follow the guidelines in planting and fertilizing. Water for the first 2 years, then you should be set for life with light maintenance of bushogging and annual fertilizing. You can also plant your regular Whitetail Institute food plot in with your permanent food plots.

I would like to thank the Wildlife Group and the Whitetail Institute for their dedication and vast knowledge for quality deer Management. Please use these links as guidelines and further assistance:

Wildlife Group:         http://wildlifegroup.com

Whitetail Institute     http://www.whitetailinstitute.com

By Dennis Parker

Dennis was introduced to Hunting, Fishing & Trapping at around the age of 6 by his father, not as a hobby but by need of survival because his Dad was often laid off as Steel worker. Dennis would help bait the traps and run them with his Dad. He learned to shoot with a 22 single shot rifle then moved up to a 16 gage Double Barrel Shotgun.

Dennis has been married for the last 35 Years and has one Daughter, age 30, and two wonderful grand children that he is bringing up to enjoy Hunting, Fishing and the outdoors. He says he often times has Deer in his yard and his 2 year old grandson will watch for the Deer outside the window with his toy gun aiming and shouting Boom at the Deer.

Dennis attended Jefferson State, University of Alabama, University Alabama Birmingham and Walker State (Now Bevill State) where he have a degree in Coal mine design/Technology.

He has worked in the IT Industries for the past 38 years 28 of those years are with his current employer ALTEC Industries, Inc (Maker of Utility Equipment like Bucket Trucks etc.) where he is a Network Analyst II/Senior IT Buyer.

When not working you will catch him at his Hunting Club, Shoal Creek Hunting Club, just outside of Montevallo Alabama in Shelby County, moving and Placing Hunting Blinds, Ladder stands and putting in Food Plots. You will also catch him hunting in Clio Alabama (South Alabama) where he will be throwing lead at hog’s or catching catfish.

Dennis is also a volunteer for Honor Flight Birmingham where they fly WWII Veterans to Washington DC to visit the WW II Memorial

Comments(4):

1. Excellent advice

   I have planted trees from the Wildlife Group and I can attest to the value of mast producing trees. We planted Persimmon, Pear, Mayhaw and Crab apple with great success. The grow well in the existing food plots and add a special treat to the already enticing Whitetail Institute food plots.

   Sunday, October 31, 2010 Brent

2. Permanent Food Plots

   Would anyone like to have a follow up Ariticle on tips on how to Plant and Maintain Permanent Food Plots the first couple of years?

   Thursday, November 04, 2010 Dennis

3. I didn't know that.

   Thanks for the article. I had no idea about the chinese chestnut. I may have to check into this and get the ball rolling.

   Thursday, November 11, 2010 Scott

4. Permanent Food Plots

   Started working on my permanent food plots last year. So far have planted a few and also identfied some already in my woods that I can clear around and improve. Great article.

   Friday, December 10, 2010 Wilton