We purchased our Missouri farm in March last year and immediately developed a plan for our first food plots. Previously in the state of Connecticut, I had used Imperial Clover and 30-06 Mineral Supplements and harvested two Pope and Young deer in two years. In late April, we planted a 2-acre plot of Imperial and also four smaller plots of No-Plow in our cedar tree pasture. To supplement, we developed several mineral sites utilizing 30-06 Minerals from the Whitetail Institute. By early June, the mineral licks were becoming holes in the ground and by mid summer, a “highway trail” was created from our pond to the 2-acre plot and back to the cedar tree pasture. Our neighboring local farmer said he was seeing big deer, including a large-racked buck, crossing the road to our property more than ever and wondered what was going on.
Attached is a picture of a cedar tree rub less than 50 yards from our 2-acre Imperial Clover plot. I hunted over this travel route during the opening week of rifle season and harvested my best whitetail buck, a 14-point 170-class (176 0/8 gross) heading toward the plot looking for does.
We have now added two additional Imperial Clover food plots to the farm, have continued the 30-06 mineral supplements on a monthly basis and designated a “sanctuary” to hold deer on our property during the hunting season. The state has implemented an antler-point restriction program in our county (4 point minimum on one side) which will also support our local QDM efforts.
We cannot wait to send you and the team at the Whitetail Institute pictures from future seasons after we have fully implemented our supplement plan with your products (maybe another bruiser this season). Thanks for making products that work!
