Bield:Hunt
Q.Food Plot Planning

How do I keep deer from overgrazing my clover?

A.

Plant a larger plot, plant ladino or grazing-tolerant clover varieties, and rotate hunting pressure to spread grazing across multiple plots. Small plots get hammered to bare ground; larger plots and tougher cultivars handle browse. Mowing in mid-summer also helps by stimulating regrowth and suppressing weeds.

Ladino white clover varieties (Durana, Patriot) are bred for grazing tolerance and recover from browse better than common white clover. Plant 5-8 lbs/acre rather than 3-5 lbs to establish a denser stand. Mowing once or twice during the growing season stimulates regrowth and keeps weeds suppressed.

If you only have one clover plot and 30+ deer per square mile, expect overgrazing — that's a herd-density issue, not a plot issue. See variety reviews for grazing-tolerant clover cultivars.

Related on Bield: Farm & Bield: Fish