There is a saying that the winning in poker is not about having good hands, it is about playing poor hands well. The same concept applies to food plot management. Kentucky outfitters and people who lease Kentucky deer hunting land do their best to create the most productive food plots they can. When you read expert articles, you learn about the different types of soil needed to produce the best plants and the longest growing seasons, etc. You will read about loamy soils, clay rich soils, poorly drained, and sandy soils. “You go into battle with what you have, not what you wish you had," says Donald Rumsfield.
Nobody is selling their deer Kentucky hunting property because of the makeup of the soil. There is no such thing as “bad soils” in my mind. It is like saying your child is not good enough because he’s not smart enough or tall enough. It is what it is and you would not trade them for the world. So, do not be discouraged by the type of soil you have. Here are a few basic tips to improve your soil quality to attract more Kentucky trophy deer to visiting and staying near your food plots:
#1) Lime – You do not need a lime truck to come in and spread tons of lime around. Most of you are beginning this journey of quality deer management and do not have unlimited funds to support this outdoor hobby. Lime is best bought at Lowes or Home Deport for around $4.00 a bag. I find other places like to charge closer to $5.00. Buy the pelelitized bags because the powder is too hard to spread and it is more dusty anyway. You don’t want to breath this stuff (so I hear) despite it smelling so good! Apply the lime every 3 to 6 months if your budget allows it or if you’re “bored” and want to do something easy. This is one of the easiest tasks you will ever do to make your Kentucky deer hunts more successful!
#2) Plant Cereal Rye – This not only acts as an attractive late season food plot for the deer hunting in Kentucky, but it helps build the soil in ways you need it. That’s all you need to know. We’ve read all the articles and my basic conclusion is that oats, wheat and cereal rye (not ryegrass) are about the same thing. If you’re a Vegas bookie, the odds would favor oats and wheat for the “best food plot” of the 3, but the differences are so negligible, that the margin of errors surpasses factors outside of your control.
In conclusion, no matter what you have, take little steps to improve your situation. You are deer hunting in Kentucky, how bad can it really be?