This is what I would consider a textbook example of how food plot location can maximize the potential your property had to offer. Last week in lower Michigan, clients had cleared a food plot in the center of a small portion of their property and placed a blind on the south side of the plot ( marked in black on the photo to the left). Their access is to the north and every time they hunted that location they would consistently spook deer off the plot and fields, especially at dark. This also left zero bedding opportunities in that 4 acre chunk of timber causing deer to bed on the neighbors property to the south and made hunting that location difficult in the evening and impossible in the morning without bumping deer constantly. Not to mention, conditioning deer to show up after dark more and more as the season progressed.
The photo on the right shows how we decided to relocate the plot to the north in more of a lineal fashion to create bedding opportunities directly adjacent to the plot. Not to mention, bedding opportunities were the plot is currently located once they convert that area back into cover.
Considering they are in farmland and quality cover is at a premium, the opportunity is there to hold bucks in that corner of the property. However, worst case scenario they hold does in that area and create the perfect opportunity to catch bucks cruising down their newly constructed travel corridors scent checking for does on any type of north wind. Evening opportunities still remain at stand 13 but they pick up critical morning rut stands with 11 and 12.
Yes, the deer will show up to either plot location regardless. One scenario just creates more opportunities and allows you to realize the full potential that your property has to offer.
