Elk food plots

smilesgv · Apr 29, 2009

Anyone ever make any food plots for elk? Or do anything eles to make thier property better for holding elk. The property already has alot of alpha down low but looking at doing something up on a higher piece of ground in the oakbrush. Already looking at burning some of the oak. I thought I saw something on here aways back about new crop the elk where digging. Thanks for the input.

UT1031 · Apr 29, 2009

I guarantee that if you burn an area and plant some green food, they will find it.

GSH · Apr 29, 2009

What ever happened to just hunting them, adapting to their movements and behavior?
Seriously....Food plots for elk?
I was wondering if anyone has ever had any luck tying them to trees before the season opener, then killing them opening morning about 11am off the side of the road? Ya know, you don't want to get out of bed too early, or god forbid hike!

jcmuleys · Apr 29, 2009

smilesgv,
First it is great when landowners contribute to wildlife habitat, regardless the reason. I have been involved in a couple projects and experiments with different plant species to plant for elk and deer habitat. The one that i think you are refering to is Forage Turnips. They can be planted in April and May for summer grazing or in July and August for fall and winter grazing. I believe the forage type turnip is called All Top. Both the tops and bulbs cna be grazed and yes the deer and elk will dig them up to get to the bulb. If you need more information on it all let me know.
JC

Colorado Hunting Consultants LLC

smilesgv · Apr 29, 2009

JC, send me a PM with any info you have. Thanks

stinkystomper · Apr 29, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Apr-29-09 AT 06:37PM (MST)[p]food plots? are u freakin serious? ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! its like a bad repeat of the huntin channel. I swear if u post photos of u dragin ur place with a tractor I'll hit mm with a virus the likes of which founder has never seen just to make this crap go away. please, quit discussing food plots. this is the ELK forum, not the farmers forum! For god sake!

He who stomps the greatest stinky wins!

thatdoggJake · Apr 29, 2009

For God's Sake? How so?

you're a jerk. Why don't you promote giving back to the land and wildlife. Not just tear down others for improving their elk habitat.

jcmuleys · Apr 29, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

Come on guys don't jump all over someone who is trying to do something to increase the viability of the forage on their property. What someone wants to do to create better habitat on their property is their business. It is good for all wildlife. The government does very little to increase forage on public ground. Many private landowners are carrying the wildlife through some of the roughest times of the year. After the local livestock has grazed everything the only thing left is private land.
No one is forcing you to read the posts about food plots or elk habitat. I don't like to watch turkey hunts either but i just change the channel rather than attack someone for it. Nobodys driving atv's on public ground here their simply trying to increase their elk habitat.
JC

mtmuley · Apr 29, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

Improving forage is a great idea and will probably benefit elk and other wildlife for sure. But, unless you have a substantial amount of property, don't expect to hold them there. Increasing their visits will still be a good thing. mtmuley

GSH · Apr 29, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

I agree with increasing good habitat, but come on... You know its for the sake of hunting the elk, nothing more!

jcmuleys · Apr 30, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

Who cares if it is for the sake of hunting. Thats what its all about anyway. That is probably why most people buy mountain property. Guess its one of the perk of owning property in elk country. If people where building food plots and not hunting them the elk would never leave the place during season. One of the stipulations that the RMEF has if they are going to cost share on a habitat project is that the property gets hunted. They don't want people building preserves. Obviously hunters that don't own elk habitat are going to hate it that private land owners are increasing the forage and carrying capacity of their property. Anyway unless someone owns 15,000 acres and is putting in 20-30 acre food plots the elk will graze it and move on.
JC

Colorado Hunting Consultants LLC

one_dryboot · Apr 30, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

+1 Jcmuleys

wildwilderness · Apr 30, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

+2

LOVE2BHUNTING · Apr 30, 2009

RE: Elk habitat

If you tie them to the tree you have to do it close to season. They have a tendency to chew through the ropes if you leave them tied up too long.