Understanding Turkey Food Plot Needs
Attracting a mature gobbler to your hunting spot takes more than just a convincing call. It demands the right habitat, and that habitat often begins with the perfect turkey food plot. Dreams of a successful spring season? Unlock a potential secret weapon: a well-planned and diligently maintained food plot designed specifically to attract and sustain wild turkeys.
A thriving turkey food plot provides essential nutrition for these magnificent birds, especially during critical times of the year like the spring breeding season and the fall preparation for the harsh winter months. This enhanced nutrition directly impacts turkey health, increases population numbers on your property, and dramatically improves their huntability. But creating the ideal turkey food plot isn’t as simple as scattering some seed. It requires careful planning, a deep understanding of turkey dietary needs, and consistent maintenance.
This comprehensive guide will cover the key elements of successful turkey food plots, explore the best plant varieties, offer practical tips for establishment and maintenance, and provide insights to help you create a haven for wild turkeys on your land. Before we begin, it’s important to note that regulations regarding food plots can vary considerably by region, so always check with your local wildlife agency before beginning any land management projects.
To create an effective turkey food plot, you must first understand what turkeys eat and when they need it the most. Their diet varies significantly throughout the year, depending on the season and the availability of food sources.
During the spring breeding season, hens require a diet rich in protein and calcium to support egg production. Poults, the young turkeys, need a diet packed with protein to fuel their rapid growth. Insects, particularly grasshoppers and beetles, become a vital part of the poult’s diet during this period. As the growing season progresses, turkeys diversify their diet, consuming a variety of berries, soft mast, and seeds.
In the fall, turkeys transition to a diet focused on energy-rich foods to prepare for winter. Acorns, nuts, and seeds become staples, providing the calories needed to build up fat reserves for the colder months. Green forage, such as winter wheat or rye, remains important for providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Key nutritional requirements for turkeys include protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. Protein is crucial for muscle development and reproduction, carbohydrates provide energy, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus are essential for bone growth and eggshell formation. A well-designed turkey food plot should provide a balance of these nutrients throughout the year.
Beyond simply providing food, it’s important to consider the broader habitat when establishing your turkey food plot. Turkeys need nesting cover, roosting areas, and escape routes to feel secure. Integrate your food plot into a larger habitat management plan that provides these essential elements. Think about planting shrubs and native grasses around the perimeter of your food plot to create edge habitat and provide cover.
Top Food Plot Plants for Turkeys: A Detailed Review
The key to a successful turkey food plot lies in choosing the right plant varieties. Here’s a detailed review of some of the best options:
Legumes
Legumes are incredibly valuable because of their nitrogen-fixing abilities, improving soil fertility naturally.
Clovers (White Clover, Red Clover, Crimson Clover)
Clovers are excellent for providing a consistent source of green forage throughout the spring and summer. They attract insects, which are crucial for poults. Pros: Relatively easy to establish, long-lasting, and attractive to turkeys. Cons: Can be susceptible to weed competition. Planting Tips: Plant in early spring or fall, ensure good soil contact. Timing: Spring or Fall.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a high-protein legume that provides excellent forage for turkeys. Pros: High nutritional value, drought-tolerant. Cons: Requires well-drained soil, can be challenging to establish. Planting Tips: Prepare a firm seedbed, inoculate seed with appropriate rhizobium bacteria. Timing: Spring.
Soybeans/Cowpeas
Soybeans and cowpeas are excellent for providing both green forage and seed. Pros: High protein content, attractive to turkeys and other wildlife. Cons: Can be susceptible to deer browsing, requires warm soil for germination. Planting Tips: Plant after the last frost, ensure adequate moisture. Timing: Late Spring/Early Summer.
Austrian Winter Peas
Winter peas are a great option for providing cool-season forage. Pros: Cold-hardy, provides early spring forage. Cons: Can be susceptible to winterkill in very cold climates. Planting Tips: Plant in late summer or early fall, ensure good soil drainage. Timing: Late Summer/Early Fall.
Grasses/Grains
These provide essential carbohydrates and cover.
Wheat/Oats/Rye
These grains are excellent for winter forage and early spring growth. They also provide cover for turkeys and attract insects. Pros: Easy to establish, cold-hardy, provide quick cover. Cons: Can become invasive if not managed properly. Planting Tips: Plant in late summer or early fall, use a drill or broadcast seeder. Timing: Late Summer/Early Fall.
Grain Sorghum/Milo
Grain sorghum and milo provide a valuable seed source for turkeys in the fall and winter. Pros: Drought-tolerant, provides excellent seed production. Cons: Can be susceptible to bird depredation. Planting Tips: Plant after the last frost, ensure good soil drainage. Timing: Late Spring/Early Summer.
Corn
While debated due to potentially holding turkeys off-site, corn can provide cover and some forage. Pros: Provides excellent cover, provides a food source if managed well. Cons: Can draw turkeys away from other food sources, requires significant inputs. Planting Tips: Plant after the last frost, ensure adequate fertilization. Timing: Late Spring.
Forbs (Broadleaf Plants)
These offer diversity and attract insects.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are excellent for providing seed and attracting insects. Pros: Attractive to turkeys and other wildlife, provides valuable seed source. Cons: Can be susceptible to bird depredation, requires fertile soil. Planting Tips: Plant after the last frost, provide adequate spacing. Timing: Late Spring.
Chicory
Chicory is a deep-rooted perennial that provides long-lasting forage. Pros: Drought-tolerant, provides consistent forage, attracts insects. Cons: Can be slow to establish. Planting Tips: Plant in early spring or fall, ensure good soil contact. Timing: Spring or Fall.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a quick-growing annual that provides excellent cover and attracts insects. Pros: Easy to establish, improves soil health, attracts pollinators. Cons: Short-lived, can become weedy if not managed properly. Planting Tips: Plant after the last frost, ensure adequate moisture. Timing: Late Spring/Early Summer.
Remember to incorporate native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs that are naturally beneficial to turkeys and other wildlife in your specific region. These plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them more resilient and sustainable.
Planning and Establishing Your Turkey Food Plot
Careful planning is essential for creating a successful turkey food plot.
Site Selection
Choose a site that receives ample sunlight (at least six hours per day), has well-drained soil, and is located near cover and water sources. The size and shape of the plot can also influence its effectiveness. Consider creating multiple smaller plots rather than one large plot to increase edge habitat and provide more diversity.
Soil Testing and Amendment
Conduct a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. This will help you determine the appropriate fertilizer and lime amendments needed to optimize plant growth.
Preparing the Seedbed
Prepare the seedbed by tilling the soil to create a loose and level surface. You can use a plow, disk, or rototiller. No-till planting is also an option, especially for established pastures.
Planting Techniques
Follow the recommended seeding rates and planting depths for each plant variety. Timing of planting is crucial, considering the regional climate and the specific needs of the plants. Use a seed drill for precise planting or broadcast seed and lightly rake it into the soil.
Protecting Seedlings
Protect seedlings from grazing animals by using fencing if necessary. Bird repellents can also be used to deter birds from eating the seeds. Controlling weed competition is essential for ensuring the survival of the seedlings.
Maintaining Your Turkey Food Plot
Once your turkey food plot is established, ongoing maintenance is crucial for ensuring its long-term success.
Weed Control
Control weeds using herbicides (pre-emergent and post-emergent), mowing, or hand-weeding.
Fertilization
Re-apply fertilizer based on soil tests to maintain optimal nutrient levels. Use slow-release fertilizers to provide a sustained release of nutrients.
Mowing/Bush Hogging
Mow or bush hog the food plot periodically to promote growth and seed production.
Overseeding
Overseed thin areas with new seed to maintain a healthy stand.
Dealing with Pest and Disease
Monitor the food plot for signs of pests and diseases and take appropriate action.
Advanced Strategies for Enhancing Turkey Food Plots
Take your turkey food plot to the next level with these advanced strategies:
Creating Edge Habitat
Planting shrubs and thickets around the edges of the food plot to provide cover and nesting habitat.
Rotating Crops
Improve soil health and prevent pest buildup.
Using Cover Crops
Improve soil health and suppress weeds during fallow periods.
Prescribed Burning (if appropriate and legal)
Manage grasses and forbs to promote new growth.
Water Source Management
Providing access to clean water can be a critical factor, especially during dry periods.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with careful planning and maintenance, you may encounter some challenges.
Poor Germination
Identify causes (poor seedbed, incorrect planting depth, weather) and solutions.
Weed Infestations
Strategies for dealing with persistent weeds.
Overgrazing
Managing grazing pressure to prevent damage to the food plot.
Deer Competition
Strategies to minimize deer browsing on turkey food plots (if necessary).
Success Stories and Case Studies
Consider real-life examples of successful turkey food plots. What plant varieties were used? What management techniques were employed? What was the resulting impact on turkey populations? Quotes from experienced hunters or wildlife managers can add credibility and inspiration.
Conclusion
Turkey food plots are a valuable tool for managing turkey populations and improving hunting success. By understanding the nutritional needs of turkeys, selecting the right plant varieties, and implementing effective management techniques, you can create a haven for these magnificent birds on your land.
Don’t wait! Transform your property into a turkey paradise! Start planning your turkey food plot today and experience the thrill of attracting more gobblers to your hunting area.
For more information, consult your local wildlife agency or visit websites dedicated to wildlife habitat management. Your dream of bagging that elusive tom starts with a well-planned and maintained turkey food plot. Good luck and happy hunting!
