With hunting season peeking around the corner, it is high time to begin preparing your land for late autumn success. A well-planned, well-planted food plot can be the difference in a memorable hunting season or a dismal disappointment.

Seasoned whitetail hunters know that it is essential to brave the late summer heat to take care of necessary duties in food plot preparation and other work around their hunting property.

Food plots do not always have to be a vast swath of green fields to be productive. Simply following your land’s natural contours and even planting small strips of crops can pay off in a major way.

1. Locate the Best Site

If you don’t already have a food plot on your land, look for one that deer will be attracted to. Deer are naturally skittish creatures and a square or rectangular food plot isn’t always appealing to them as they seek the most cover possible while moving through the woods.

Rounded food plots that follow the contours of woodlines and other features will offer optimal cover for deer and make them feel more comfortable to explore. One other important note is to try, if possible, to create your food plot as far as possible away from roads or trails in order to avoid tempting trespassers to venture onto your property.

Many veteran hunters will attest to the fact that a long, narrow food plot being the most productive strategies as opposed to planting a wide-open field. Deer will be more likely to use the plot if they can quickly dart into the cover of the nearby woods.

2. Prepare the Soil

There are many steps to take to prepare the soil for planting, but some hunters only have the means to throw down some fertilizer, plant their seeds, and hope for the best. A soil test can indicate needed minerals and fertilizer amounts, which will produce the best results when those seeds start to sprout.

If you can’t run a soil test, then simply use a pre-mixed fertilizer and also apply heavy amounts of lime to the soil. Lime is a key ingredient to creating a productive food plot.

Proper soil prep also includes the removal of larger rocks and other debris from the dirt in order to ensure your seeds can sprout and grow with nothing hindering their progress. Also be sure to kill off existing grasses or weeds well before planting.

3. Ensure Your Plot Has Optimal Cover

It is tempting to clear out as much obstructions around the edges of your plot as possible in order to spot incoming bucks from your stand. However, clearing away too much undergrowth may make your plot too open and will cause a buck to shy away from stepping out into the plot to feed.

If the edges of your food plot do not offer enough cover, think about planting wheat, sun-hemp, or some type of native tall grasses that will grow tall enough to create plenty of cover for a buck to be encouraged to venture into the plot during daylight hours.

4. Don’t Take the Cheap Route

Using cheap fertilizer or seeds will risk yielding a plot low in nutritional value. Purchase quality seeds and other items to use on your food plot and seek the advice of other hunters in both planting and preparation to ensure yielding a vibrant, lush crop that deer will find irresistible.

5. Wait Until the Time is Right

This one is perhaps the most important tip we can provide, yet it may not be something most hunters will have the patience to do.

Do NOT hunt over the food plot until the rut begins.

By waiting and allowing the deer to become comfortable stepping out into your food plot, you will capitalize on the element of surprise when you finally do climb into that stand overlooking the plot. Giving deer a few months to get used to regularly using the food plot during daylight hours is key.

It is tempting to hunt over the plot early in the season as you’re very likely to see deer in or around the edges of the plot. However, if you exercise patience and wait until the rut, it will certainly pay off in the long-run.

Bucks are not likely to use a food plot at all until after dark. Does, on the other hand, will begin to step into the plot during daylight hours and grow accustomed to feeding during the day. Does will stay close to the food plot throughout the hunting season as it will continually provide a place for them to safely feed.

Once the rut kicks in, where will the bucks know to find the does on your property?

Use these tips to start planting a food plot that will maximize your hunting efforts and produce the best results from your land. Remember, it may take a few years and some trial and error to gain knowledge and insight on just how to prepare and plant your specific food plot, so be patient and happy hunting!

This article was written by Jason Swindle and was originally posted on the Swindle Law Group’s official website here. 

In 1979, an epic story about brothers, war, and life in the Montana wilderness was written that no one would hear about until 1994.

 
Some American Indians in the Montanas believe that an encounter with a bear in the wild changes a man. The bear becomes part of him. While the bear may sleep, he is always with the man. The bear can awaken at any time.

 
I believe the bear is also a natural part of few men when they are born.

 
I have known such men.

 
Because of betrayals the United States government perpetrated on the American Indians, Col. William Ludlow left the army and moved to a remote part of Montana. Along with One Stab, his friend from the Cree Indian Tribe, he built a ranch and raised his family.

Ludlow had three sons: Alfred, the oldest who unsuccessfully sought his father’s approval his entire life, Tristan, the Colonel’s favorite son, who was wild and well-versed in American Indian traditions, and Samuel, the youngest, who was constantly watched over by his brothers.

 
Ludlow’s wife did not adapt to the harsh Montana winters and moved to the East Coast; Tristan vowed never to speak of her again. At age 12, Tristan touched a sleeping grizzly bear. The bear awakened and injured him, but he stabbed at the bear’s paw and cut off a claw.

 
From the age of 12, Tristan Ludlow would adopt the ancient ways of the Cree, battle the bear inside of him, and try to protect the ones he cared for the most.

 
When the boys went to Europe to fight Germany during World War I, Samuel volunteered for a dangerous reconnaissance mission and was killed by enemy gunfire. A devastated Tristan, who arrived too late, held Samuel until he died. Then, as he was taught, cut out his brother’s heart and sent it home to be buried at the ranch. That night, he single-handedly raided the German lines. After his attack, he returned to camp with the scalps of numerous German soldiers.

 
When Tristan came home, he and Susannah, Samuel’s fiancee before he died, began a relationship. Although he cared for her deeply, Tristan’s guilt over Samuel’s death forced him to leave Montana again. During his absence, Col. Ludlow suffered a stroke, the ranch deteriorated, and Susannah married Alfred, now a congressman. Tristan would never be able to save her from the misery of living with Alfred. She committed suicide just a few years later.

 
Tristan returned during Prohibition. He married and had two children. Like many folks during that era, became involved in small-scale rum-running, finding himself at odds with a powerful bootlegging family; the O’Banions. When his wife was accidentally killed by an associate of the O’Banions, Tristan took the lives of those responsible; beginning a feud that would end up costing the lives of all the O’Banions.

 
Years and people passed away. But, Tristan lived to become old in the North Country. While One Stab believed Tristan would die as a young man, it was the people he cared for and wanted to protect most that died young. In 1963, he was once again confronted by a grizzly bear. The old man drew his knife. One Stab would say, “It was a good death”.

 
The story told in Legends of the Fall was from a different and lawless era. Today, Tristan Ludlow would be in prison for numerous crimes. But, the story provides the best example of those rare men who are inherently good, care more for others than themselves, risk their lives trying to protect others, but also commit violent, vengeful or bad acts along their life journey.

 
One Stab provides the simple reason. “I think it was the bear, growling inside him. Making him do bad things. Nothing that Tristan did was truly his own fault. It was the bear.”

Just a few days ago, I was hunting in a great spot and had what many hunters have likely experienced—a big buck came within view, but he was cruising for does, and headed away from my position. He was walking along a creek-bottom nearly 100 yards from my stand, and getting further away with each passing second.

The deer was making his way through some thick underbrush, which blocked my opportunity for a good shot.

Desperate to draw the buck back into range, I grabbed a doe bleat can from my pocket and hit the call. The bucks’ ears perked up, but his legs continued to move. Frustrated, I waited a few seconds and again sounded the bleat. The deer was having none of it, and trailed off into the brush.

As my heart raced, and my hands begin to tremble in excitement, I searched in the direction where I last got a glimpse of the buck, but saw no sign of his return. Weighing my options, I reached for a grunt call, hoping to stir him into investigating another male suitor in his turf. After sounding a few grunts, I waited…

Nothing.

We’ve all probably experienced something like this while hunting. It’s the peak of the rut here in Georgia, and bucks are “cruising” around, looking for does. These bucks are moving at all hours of the day and night, and bagging a monster buck is most likely to happen when he’s lovestruck and casting caution aside to find a mate.

I consulted with my father, Keith Karr, who is one of the most knowledgeable hunters I know, and asked for some tips on stopping a cruising buck if I have a similar encounter in the future. My Dad has killed more bucks than I’ve ever seen, and has accumulated a wealth of experience and wisdom over the years related to whitetail deer hunting.

Here are some key methods he pointed out that can be used to get a cruising buck to stop in its tracks, and—if you’re lucky—draw him back into shooting range.

First, let’s define what a “cruising” buck is. A buck is considered cruising when looking for a doe in heat during the rut. These cruisers are moving at a good enough clip that you’ll completely miss the opportunity for a shot if you’re not prepared.

These bucks will be moving faster than usual, and not interested in stopping to smell the roses. He won’t be in a flat-out run, but more of a trot.

“I’ve learned over the years of a few methods that can stop a buck and present you with a shot, but I’ve also found that sometimes these methods work, and other times they won’t,” Dad says.

Bleat

“Assuming a buck is close enough to hear a bleat call, that’s the first thing I would do,” he says. “Sometimes you might not have a chance to reach and grab an actual bleat call, so I’ve actually just made a similar noise with my mouth and stopped a buck in its tracks.”

A cruising buck is already searching high and low for does in heat, so a bleat call could make him think you’re the answer to his prayers.A buck will need to be within about 100 yards to really have a chance to hear a bleat, especially if he’s moving along at a fast rate.

Sometimes you won’t have a chance to grab a bleat call. Dad said a simple “baa” sound (similar to a sheep) is usually close enough to the real thing to get a buck’s attention.

Whether using a bleat call, or trying to mimic the sound with your mouth, be sure not call too loud, as you might actually startle some bucks.  

It’s important to practice these calls before your hunt to ensure you can properly execute the sound you want when the time comes. There are loads of videos online that offer instructions on deer calls, so be sure to do your research.

Grunt

“Second, if I can’t bleat, or if the bleat call doesn’t stop him, I would grunt,” says Dad. “If you don’t have a call handy, you can also make this call with your mouth. You’ll want to make an “oink” sound, just like you would if you were snorting like a pig. It might sound different to you, but a buck on the move won’t really be able to tell the difference in this and using an actual grunt call.”

Grunting should only be used when the deer is headed in another direction and you’re looking to get him to stop, or draw him back toward you.

In the experience mentioned above, after giving careful thought to the events, I realized that I may not have grunted loud enough for this buck to hear.

Be sure to consult with fellow hunters, or simply watch some videos online to get a better understanding of how to properly execute an effective grunt call.

Hunters will tell you that all bucks are different. Many have reported hearing a monster buck having a wheezy, nasal grunt while some younger, and smaller bucks sound like a blue-ribbon hog grunting.

A grunt call can be one of the most useful tools in a hunter’s arsenal if used correctly.

Remember, the closer the buck is, the softer the grunt should be. Grunting too loudly at a buck within 75 yards is likely to spook them.

When grunting at a cruising buck, be sure to keep it short and sweet, but don’t be shy with it either.

Whistle

“Third, if a bleat or grunt won’t stop the buck, I would give a good, sharp whistle,” says Dad. “This is not something you might ever think to do to get a buck to stop, but the sound of a human whistling is a good way to stop a buck—especially if he is within range.”

A buck might be so zoned-in that grunts and bleats won’t phase him. But, a well-timed whistle is something that can often get his attention.

If All Else Fails, Yell

“If nothing else has worked at stopping the deer, I’ve made sort of a last-ditch effort, and yelled at a buck to get him to stop,” says Dad. “This is just a short, but loud verbal command like “hey” or “whoa” that is sure to get a buck’s attention.”

When using this method, Dad says there is one important point to cover.

“Be ready to pull the trigger,” he says. “Ninety percent of the time, this is sure to stop a buck, but you’ll only get a few seconds before he either runs, or continues on his path. Be ready for him to stop on a dime.”

Dad recalls using this method once, and missing a prime opportunity on a nice buck.

“I was sitting on a really pretty oak ridge when I heard a deer trotting toward me,” says Dad. “I looked, and it was a really nice 8-point buck coming right by my stand. I got up and grabbed my bow in time to draw back, but the buck was already very close to my stand. I yelled at him, and managed to get him to stop and present me a shot, but I made one mistake—I didn’t have my hand anchored in, and my sights weren’t lined up. Just that little bit of movement after he stopped was enough to spook the buck. He ran off, and I missed a good opportunity.”

You might use all four of these methods to no avail. Sometimes—especially in the rut—a buck is so crazed that nothing will stop him. But, if you do encounter a cruising buck, be sure to keep these methods in mind.

You might just get a shot that could be the difference in a wall-hanger and just another hunting story.