Turkey Food Plot SC

[RunNGunSC]

I recently purchased 22 acres of land for me and my daughters to hunt!  There is a small pasture near a creek and one on a ridge I want to plant for deer and Turkey.  My main priority is turkey. Any suggestions on what and when to plant? I would prefer not to till. The land is in Fairfield county and was previously a cow pasture that has 10 year growth on rolling hills.

[roberthyman14]

Chuffa and clover.   Chuffa goes in during the summer  we plant ours in July.    Clover goes in during fall planting.   

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[PalmettoRon]

I'm not much into food plots just because, but do know from buds that clover is good for deer and turkey and chufa is outstanding under the right circumstances for turkey

If you have feral pigs don't bother planting chufa for turkeys as the pigs will wipe it out. Additionally, don't know if the soil in Fairfield County is predominantly clay like it is certainly in the western Upstate of SC, but if so, don't waste your money and time trying to produce chufa. Chufa doesn't like clay. It is like crack cocaine for turkeys though.

I get folks planting food plots trying to keep game on their property, I just don't necessarily care for hunting over food plots, but support anyone who chooses to. My knowledge is therefore limited, but I do know both clover and chufa are excellent turkey attractants.

[G-dub]

Congratulations on your land!!  Owning land can provide a lot of opportunities for you and your daughter to do together!  We have land in Fairfield County, chufa can be difficult if you have clay soil, as well as the increasing number of hogs.  Clover is great but will most likely require a good bit of lime given the acidic nature of most of the soils in the area.  Kind of depends on which part of the county you are in.  If you want to do something quick for the upcoming season, try overseeding with rye grass.  Should have time to come up and at least look pretty by April.  We generally plant in the fall for deer and the plots stay green through the spring. Let me know where you are, I'll be glad to help any way I can

[Parrot Head]

I would get a soil test first so you don't waste a bunch of money on seed that doesn't grow.

[RunNGunSC]

Thanks everyone, please keep the advice coming.  As my name suggest, I enjoy actively hunting river bottoms and big woods. However, that's not what this land provides. The food plots are to generate as much activity as possible on a relatively small block, and to encourage a stable healthy population. It will also allow me to enjoy easy hunts with my daughters, 9, 7, and 5. I will try to get a soil test.  Im interest in both short term and long term suggestions.  Thanks

[BMAC_Turkeys]

Im in SC.  Get a soil test.  In a plot that small you can Kill whats there, lime, fertilize and spread clover by yourself without heavy equipment.

You can also do some strips or areas in chufa.  Will need to be sandy to light soil.  Can be spread and covered but ideally you would want a planter and no hogs.    You will need to get the right chemicals such as a pre and post emergent.  Clethodim and 24d-b can be used on both post. 

Really burn area down with round up in fall. turn over and smooth soil, spread clover, cover then hit it with cleth in the spring and youll be good to go for 4-5 years   Mow and spray as needed.

[bbcoach]

Read this post  https://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,95618.0.html  It is in, Food Plots and Property Improvements.  Durana clover is what I recommend.  I live in Eastern NC and have had really good luck with it and the deer and turkeys love it.  Getting your ph to 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal (liming is key) and wait to plant until about September.  Use a cover crop of winter rye, winter wheat and or oats and you will have a quality plot come next fall.  Good luck.  PM me if you have any questions.

[Paulmyr]

Listen to the TFT Wild Turkey Science Podcast. They have episodes specifically geared towards habitat and habitat management.

One of the thing I haven't heard mentioned is to burn it and see what comes back. Fairly easy and
inexpensive to get started. Generally it's beneficial to turkeys and deer. They talk about all this stuff on the podcast. They go through quite a bit of information on the subject.

If your really looking to help turkeys try focusing on polt rearing and nesting cover. Adult Wild turkeys don't need you to feed them they need places to rear polts.

We've have about the same acreage but it's totally different habitat. It's lowland forest that was selectively logged about 15 to 20 years ago. We left what oaks we had and took most of the rest. It's now a jumble of Aspen suckers and hazel brush. There weren't  many if any turkey around that area of the state so managing for them wasn't even a thought. Now there's a decent number of them around and I'd like to try and help them a little if a I can. I'm trying to come up with a plan to start managing for turkeys but it's lowland and I don't think it will burn very well. I may have to resort to mechanical means to clear the understory.

Good luck with whatever you figure out.