Early Bird Gets The Buck Fall Food Plot Tips for the Prepared Hunter

Written by HLRBO - Alexandra Carter| 07/28/2023

As soon as the temperatures start dropping, the bucks start dropping too — but only if you've done your food plot prep work ahead of time. Don't be left standing there empty-handed while the trophy bucks flock to your neighbor's prepared hunting ground. Get a leg up on the fall hunting season by planning and planting your ultimate deer attraction food plots. We've got the tips you need to be the early bird who gets the buck this year.

Location is Everything 

When choosing where to put in your early fall food plots, pick spots near areas that already see heavy deer traffic. Look for well-worn trails, tracks, rubs, and droppings to identify the highways and hot spots whitetails frequent on your land. Cleared corners, field edges, and stretches nearby bedding cover are prime real estate for your deer delicacies.

Pick the Right Plants

Not all forage is created equal when it comes to deer appeal. For early fall hunting season, look to these tried and true deer favorites that will hit their palatability peak just in time for hunting:

• Clover and alfalfa provide protein for antler growth and body conditioning. Go with red clover or alfalfa mixed with a grain for balanced nutrition.
• Oats and winter wheat offer quick energy from grains that deer will gobble up. Make sure to plant a few weeks prior to hunting season.
• Brassicas like turnips and radishes bulk up with fall rains for high-carb sugar sources that attract deer. Plant by mid-August for robust October growth.

Prep Now, Feast Later

Success comes to those who prepare - and early preparation is key for killer fall food plots. Now is the time to till, enrich soil, weed, and put in new seed so your plots are ready to rock once opening day arrives. Don't leave anything to chance.

Mix It Up

When planting fall food plots, don't just stick to a single forage type. Deer enjoy variety in their diet, so mix different seeds to take advantage of multiple food sources. A 50/50 mix of a grass/grain like winter wheat and a legume like clover or alfalfa provides carbs, protein, and a diverse menu. You can also plant strips or sections with different crops like oats, radishes, and clover to create a deer dinner buffet. Mixing things up will help hold their interest and keep them coming back all season long.

The Bigger the Better

When it comes to fall food plots, bigger is definitely better. The more acres you can dedicate to food plots, the more deer you can draw in. While a small half-acre plot can make a difference, larger 3-5 acre plots in multiple locations create a greater food source spread out across your land. This allows you to reach more deer and also gives them multiple spots to feed, rather than congesting them in one area. If your land allows, dedicate as much space as possible to food plots for maximum impact come fall.

More Tips at HLRBO.com

Want even more pro tips and strategies for creating deer-magnet food plots? Head over to our blog and check out our full guide to early fall hunting success. Searching for the perfect piece of land to hunt on? HLRBO has got you covered. Browse our hunting leases today.