Large, open food plots are ideal for yielding substantial amounts of forage for whitetails, but smaller, more secure food plots can produce greater results in terms of luring mature bucks into the open during hunting hours. Photo by Brad Herndon/windigoimages.com.
In most cases, hunters and land managers view food plots primarily as a tool for attracting and holding more deer on their property. At the same time, there is also recognition of the obvious nutritional and health values that whitetails gain from these plots. Without question, growing groceries that are high in protein on a consistent basis can dramatically benefit the herd on just about any tract of land. However, savvy hunters can also strategically utilize smaller food plots as a deadly hunting tool for exploiting monster bucks.
On that note, let’s take an inside look at how you can combine cutting-edge food plotting tactics with hard-hitting hunting strategies to tag bone-headed bruisers season after season. Utilizing a lethal set of buck harvest plot tactics have enabled me and many other hardcore whitetail fanatics to connect with tough nocturnal brutes from a variety of hunting environments and locations. The following high-impact strategies will get the job done on both large and small sections of privately owned property or across those heavily pressured tracts of public land that can be so challenging to hunt.
Food Plots vs. Buck Harvest Plots
Undoubtedly, large open-field food plots are great for yielding enormous quantities of prime whitetail forage that will dramatically improve your hunting area. This is especially true when seed mixes and blends are periodically rotated to meet seasonal changes. Growing a variety of both warm and cool season plots essentially provides year-round nutrition for whitetails. Many studies have shown that furnishing deer with quick and easy access to consistent food sources can ultimately lead to healthier herds and even increased antler growth among bucks. Benefits like these coupled with the potential of drawing, holding, and sustaining more whitetails has transformed many hunters into serious farmers almost overnight.
At the same time, hunters need to realize that adding open-field food plots to their private property or favorite hunting lease does not mean that it’s going to be any easier to start slaying monsters. Unfortunately, the majority of giant bucks that are balancing tree-stumps on top of their heads have learned to stay clear of large food plots and agricultural fields until after dark. Once opening day rolls around, this super breed of whitetail will adjust and modify their daily routines to avoid these pressured areas. In other words, setups overlooking open food plots with minimal cover are probably not going to help you fill any empty space on your trophy wall at home.
In addition, it can take a lot of time, money, and work to successfully grow and maintain food plots on a large scale. Another downfall is the fact that most hunters don’t have access to the types of expensive farming equipment that is needed to complete the job. Planting super-sized food plots also requires huge tracts of private land, which can be a major stumbling block for the average hunter. Obstacles and challenges like these can definitely be tough to tackle, but by no means does this mean that you’re out of the game. If large scale food plots are not an option for you this season, then try a more economical and practical approach like growing strategically placed buck harvest plots.
Smaller, well-placed food plots can increase your chances not only of seeing a mature buck during daylight, but also of getting a shot at one. The author shows off the results of his harvest plot efforts. Photo courtesy of Travis Faulkner.
Shot Opportunities
In reality, you don’t really need monster tracts of land that encompass endless acres of lush green food plots to tag thick-necked brawlers. The truth is you can bust way more bucks by growing smaller well-placed buck harvest plots near prime ambush sites that are surrounded by adequate cover. Basically, big bucks just feel more comfortable easing in and out of these protected areas throughout key periods of the day.
Hardcore late-shift shakers and movers that primarily move under the cover of darkness will even make special daytime appearances at buck harvest plots. This creates a window of opportunity that allows you to exploit these elusive bucks that typically live their lives under the human radar.
When it’s all said and done, buck harvest plots simply save you more time and money while eliminating the need for expensive farming equipment to complete and maintain. With buck harvest plots, hunters don’t really need to have a green thumb or be veteran farmers to successfully plant and grow these killer crops. Throw in the fact that buck harvest plots typically produce more close encounters with top-heavy shooters and you’ve got a clear winner. However, if you’re still not completely convinced, let’s take a look at some hardcore proof that clearly shows just how deadly ambush plots can be during the fall season.
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