As I write this we are just a few days out from turning the page to the month of September. And here in Wisconsin, and many other states across the country, the opening day of whitetail season is just around the corner. Does that mean it's too late for seeding down food plots? Absolutely NOT! Even across the northern have of the country it is not too late.

As with my life long experience in production agriculture/farming, cover cropping became a huge practice in our crop rotations after chopping corn for silage to feed our outstanding herd of Registered Holstein dairy cows in the fall. Winter cereal rye has always been our "go to", if you will, when it comes to cover cropping. And for many years the seed we have turned to this time of year for food plots.

But is winter cereal rye the only option of seed available to plant this time of year? 

The answer......, most definitely NOT!

Remember, when it comes to food plots for deer in terms of cultivated crops, diversity is key. And this time of year is still no exception. I know sometimes there is no choice but to go with a stand alone seed choice depending on soil type and pH. But diversity should not escape the back of your minds if we can possibly make the best of any given food plot situation. 

Diversity should always be at the forefront in any successful food plot program. And a mix I like to include this time of year is Rape, Tillage Radish, Austrian Winter Peas, Winter Cereal Rye, and Winter Oats. Yes there are other mixes that will perform just as well, but this is just an example of what i have the most success with as we inch ever closer to the first days of autumn.

Is it too late for brassicas as a stand alone food source? Absolutely not! but the window is closing rapidly.

In 2018 I seeded in a couple food plots for a client in northwestern Wisconsin on September 8th with a mix of purple top turnips and winter oats. Sure, the turnips didn't become the size of small basketballs that you see on TV on many hunting many of the hunting shows. But the client did share with me that the bulbs did however, for the most part, reach the size of tennis and baseballs. 

Remember, brassicas will reach maturity at 45 days. So there is still time for brassicas. So if you are still looking to seed them, now is the time, but the window is closing fast across the upper half of the country. Also keep in mind that there are forage specific brassicas in some seed mixes that only produce leafy greens and no bulbs at all. But the deer will still dig for those leaves well into late season with a covering of snow over top of them.

As I close this, don't stress if you believe it's getting too late across the upper have of the country. There is still time with a wide array of options still available to help you achieve a successful food plot program here in 2022. And although I didn't go into a ton of specific detail, I hope you got a little clearer vision on what could possibly work for your specific location, soil type, pH, etc.. 

Have fun! Enjoy the changing of the seasons. And most of all, keep living the dream!

Don't let cold temperatures spoil another planned all-day hunt.

How many of you have gotten down from your stand early during a late October thru the late season because you felt like you were freezing to death? 

How many of you have dressed like the abominable snowman for the hunt only to wind up sweating your touche off while accessing your hunting stand location?

Believe me, I've been in your shoes.

But several years ago that all changed for me. I wanted something to take the edge off being cold while hunting extremely cold conditions during December late season hunts without having to wear excessive amounts of clothes, drag in a heater to the blind, or simply not hunt. Lo and behold, the Heater Body Suit!!!

I wanted it but the price tag put a screeching halt to my plan to purchase. But then I started to look at that price tag a different way. Was it worth it? Would this product help take the edge off of the cold to possibly keep me in a tree a bit longer? Would this product save a planned all day sit during the heat of the rut on a cold, windy day in November?

I milled it in my head for a long time, even through the following season. And finally the time came and my mother approached me to ask what I wanted for Christmas that year. Without the slightest of hesitation I exclaimed, "The Heater Body Suit!"

By no means did I expect my parents to spend that kind of money on me. And i was ready to buy it for myself. But wouldn't you know it, my parents generously bought one and gifted it to me for Christmas that year. Lucky? I'd have bought it anyway after that Christmas because of a planned late season hunt.

I have had my Heater Body Suit now for more than 10 seasons, and I can assure you that it is ready for use again in 2022. It paid for itself in one hunt. 

So why let the cold ever ruin a hunt for you again? Check it out TODAY!

Click the image below:

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Don't be caught in dyer straights without an ultimate, light weight first aid kit for the unknown variables of your hunt. It's always better to be prepared and never have a need than to be in need of first aid and not be prepared.

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Archery season is just under a month away here in Wisconsin. Food plots have been installed and are growing well, especially with the much needed recent rainfall. But there are some last minute improvements to check off our list before opening day or the first day we intend to hunt a particular property.

With the hustle and bustle of summer activities for my kids and my own work on my other properties, and for clients, my Home Property projects took a backseat. What can be done this time of year to help hold a couple deer, including the possibility of a mature buck? 

Hinge cutting will not only provide a desperately needed bedding area but, it will also create a pinch in one particular kill plot that I have created.

This video describes the intended strategy. 

Enjoy!

As of today many of us are 6 to 8 weeks away from the opening day of the 2022 whitetail archery season. 

In my latest video I share one of my ultimate early season setups that i have prepared on my own property. 

It is also a great time to be scouting out those public hunting grounds in preparation for the coming season. Stay tuned for a coming video on how to scout public ground for early season success.

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