Introduction
Imagine this: you’ve spent weeks meticulously preparing your food plot. You’ve tilled the soil, carefully selected your seed mix, and meticulously fertilized. The young plants are thriving, promising a bounty of forage for the deer you’ve been hoping to attract. But then, something’s wrong. The deer aren’t staying. They browse cautiously, darting in and out, never truly settling down. They seem nervous, exposed, and vulnerable. What’s the problem?
More often than not, the missing ingredient is security. Deer, like most wildlife, crave cover. They need to feel safe and concealed to fully utilize a food source. A wide open food plot, while providing ample nutrition, can leave them feeling exposed and vulnerable, especially during daylight hours. This is where the concept of a food plot screen comes into play, and where Egyptian Wheat can become your greatest ally.
Egyptian Wheat offers an effective, affordable, and versatile solution for creating a food plot screen. This tall-growing annual grass provides a visual barrier, a windbreak, and a sense of security for deer and other wildlife, ultimately leading to increased food plot utilization and a more successful hunting experience. This article is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide to understanding and using Egyptian Wheat to transform your open field into a welcoming oasis for wildlife.
What is Egyptian Wheat?
Egyptian Wheat, scientifically known as *Sorghum bicolor*, is a rapidly growing annual grass that has become a popular choice among hunters and landowners seeking to improve their food plot strategies. While often called “wheat,” it is actually a type of sorghum. This distinction is important because it highlights the plant’s unique characteristics and adaptability. It’s known for its impressive height, reaching upwards of ten to fifteen feet in optimal conditions, and its relatively dense foliage.
Egyptian Wheat is often mistaken for other sorghum varieties, like grain sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. While related, there are key differences. Egyptian Wheat is generally taller and leafier than grain sorghum, focusing more on providing cover than producing grain. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, while also tall and fast-growing, are often bred for grazing purposes and may not offer the same level of visual density as Egyptian Wheat.
While primarily used for wildlife management, Egyptian Wheat has also been used in other agricultural applications, such as erosion control and livestock forage in some regions. However, its role as a food plot screen is where it truly shines, providing a valuable tool for hunters and conservationists.
Benefits of Using Egyptian Wheat as a Food Plot Screen
The advantages of using Egyptian Wheat as a food plot screen are numerous and contribute significantly to the overall success of your wildlife management efforts.
Enhanced Concealment and Security
Perhaps the most important benefit is the enhanced concealment and security it provides for deer and other wildlife. The tall, dense foliage creates a visual barrier, shielding deer from roads, neighboring properties, and general disturbances. This allows them to enter and exit food plots with a greater sense of safety, leading to increased browsing activity, especially during daylight hours when they’re more vulnerable to human activity. The presence of an Egyptian Wheat food plot screen can effectively reduce hunting pressure by making deer feel less exposed.
Effective Windbreak
Beyond providing cover, Egyptian Wheat also acts as a natural windbreak. This is particularly beneficial for newly established food plots, protecting young and tender plants from harsh winds that can cause desiccation and stunt their growth. By reducing wind speed across the food plot, Egyptian Wheat helps to retain moisture in the soil, creating a more favorable environment for plant growth.
Increased Food Plot Utilization
When deer feel safe, they are far more likely to utilize the food plot consistently. The presence of an Egyptian Wheat food plot screen encourages them to browse and feed for longer periods, leading to increased food plot utilization. This can translate to healthier deer populations and improved hunting opportunities.
Ease of Establishment
Egyptian Wheat is relatively easy to establish, making it a popular choice for both novice and experienced food plotters. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, although it thrives best in well-drained soil with adequate sunlight. With proper soil preparation and planting techniques, Egyptian Wheat can quickly establish and provide an effective screen within a matter of weeks.
Attraction of Diverse Wildlife
While primarily targeted towards deer, an Egyptian Wheat food plot screen also attracts a variety of other wildlife species. The dense cover provides nesting habitat for birds, shelter for small mammals, and foraging opportunities for insects. This contributes to overall biodiversity and creates a healthier ecosystem.
Supplemental Food Source
While not the primary reason for planting, the grain heads produced by Egyptian Wheat can serve as a supplemental food source for wildlife, particularly birds. As the plants mature and the grain heads ripen, they provide an additional source of nutrition during the late fall and winter months.
Planting Egyptian Wheat for Food Plot Screens
Successful establishment of an Egyptian Wheat food plot screen hinges on proper planning and execution. Here’s a breakdown of key steps:
Strategic Site Selection
Selecting the right location is crucial. Egyptian Wheat thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Ensure the site has well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging. Consider the proximity to your food plot and potential deer travel routes. Position your Egyptian Wheat food plot screen strategically to shield the food plot from roads, houses, or other potential disturbances. Also, factor in the prevailing winds; placing the screen perpendicular to the wind will maximize its effectiveness as a windbreak.
Thorough Soil Preparation
Soil testing is highly recommended to determine the nutrient levels and pH of your soil. Amend the soil as needed based on the test results, adding lime to increase pH if necessary. Tilling the soil creates a loose seedbed, promoting good seed-to-soil contact. However, no-till planting methods can also be successful, especially in areas with established vegetation.
Optimal Planting Time
Planting time is critical. Plant Egyptian Wheat after the last expected frost in your region. The soil temperature should be consistently above sixty degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. This typically falls within the late spring or early summer months.
Effective Planting Method
The recommended seeding rate for Egyptian Wheat is typically around fifteen to twenty pounds per acre. You can broadcast the seed and lightly drag or cultipack to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Alternatively, you can use a seed drill to plant the seed at a depth of approximately one inch.
Strategic Fertilization
Apply fertilizer based on the recommendations from your soil test. A balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will promote healthy growth. Consider side-dressing with additional nitrogen fertilizer a few weeks after planting to further boost growth.
Placement and Design Considerations
Beyond the basic planting steps, thoughtful design considerations can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your Egyptian Wheat food plot screen.
Strategic Screen Placement
Carefully consider where to place your Egyptian Wheat food plot screen. Aim to shield the food plot from areas with high human activity, such as roads or houses. Observe deer travel patterns and position the screen to funnel deer towards your food plot.
Effective Screen Width and Thickness
The width and thickness of your screen will depend on the size of your food plot and the level of security you want to provide. A screen that is at least twenty to thirty feet wide is generally recommended. Consider planting double rows of Egyptian Wheat for increased density and visual blockage.
Appropriate Screen Height
Egyptian Wheat can grow quite tall, but you can manage its height by adjusting the planting density. Denser plantings will often result in taller plants. Ensure the screen is tall enough to effectively conceal deer, even when they are standing.
Strategic Entry and Exit Points
Don’t completely enclose your food plot. Leave gaps in the screen to create designated entry and exit points for deer. These openings should be wide enough to allow deer to pass through easily but not so wide that they compromise the overall effectiveness of the screen.
Natural-Looking Curves and Irregular Shapes
Avoid planting your screen in a straight line. Incorporate curves and irregular shapes to create a more natural-looking barrier that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Deer are more likely to feel comfortable approaching a screen that mimics natural cover.
Integration with Existing Cover
Connect your Egyptian Wheat food plot screen to existing wooded areas, brush piles, or other natural cover. This creates a continuous corridor of habitat that provides deer with a safe and secure pathway to and from the food plot.
Maintenance and Management
While Egyptian Wheat is relatively low-maintenance, a few simple steps can help ensure its success.
Proactive Weed Control
Control weeds early to prevent them from competing with your Egyptian Wheat. Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied before planting to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Post-emergent herbicides can be used to control weeds that have already emerged. Mowing can also be an effective way to control weeds, but avoid mowing the Egyptian Wheat itself.
Strategic Fertilization
Side-dressing with additional fertilizer, particularly nitrogen, can help boost growth and ensure the plants reach their full potential.
Monitor for Pests
Egyptian Wheat is generally resistant to pests, but monitor your plants for any signs of infestation. If necessary, use appropriate insecticides to control pests, but be mindful of the impact on beneficial insects.
Annual Replanting is Key
Remember that Egyptian Wheat is an annual, so you’ll need to replant it each year to maintain your food plot screen.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While Egyptian Wheat offers numerous benefits, it’s important to be aware of its potential drawbacks.
Annual Nature
The fact that it’s an annual means you must replant every year, which involves time and cost.
Shading Potential
It can shade out other plants if planted too densely or too close to other crops, so spacing is important.
Not Primarily Food
Remember it’s mainly for screening, not substantial nutrition, so don’t rely on it as a primary food source.
Seed Costs
Consider the cost of Egyptian Wheat seed compared to other screening options and factor that into your budget.
Alternatives to Egyptian Wheat
While Egyptian Wheat is an excellent choice for a food plot screen, several alternatives exist. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are another fast-growing annual option. Sunflowers can also provide a visual barrier, but they may not be as dense as Egyptian Wheat. Perennial screens, such as switchgrass, offer a long-term solution, but they are less flexible in terms of placement and design.
Conclusion
Egyptian Wheat provides an effective, versatile, and relatively inexpensive solution for creating a food plot screen that will enhance your hunting experience and benefit wildlife. By providing concealment, reducing wind speed, and increasing food plot utilization, Egyptian Wheat can transform your open field into a sanctuary for deer and other wildlife. With careful planning, proper planting techniques, and minimal maintenance, you can create a successful Egyptian Wheat food plot screen that will last for years to come. Don’t wait any longer! Start planning your Egyptian Wheat food plot screen today and experience the difference it can make on your property. Improving your land one seed at a time.
