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Post by MoBuckChaser on Jun 20, 2020 21:28:01 GMT -6
How many different clovers in that plot stu? Any good weeds for the deer in there as well? A bunch. 2 or 3 VNS ladinos (different sources), New Zealand white clover, White dutch, Freedom red, Arlington red, VNS red, VNS Crimson (probably Dixie). There's some weeds out there, but not a lot. This a plot that I have spent an embarrassing number of hours pulling weeds (I have two plots like that). Now that you tell me you have that many different clover food sources in that plot, should be deer in there every day with that much variety. And it sounds like there is...
Was that planned or did you just have a bunch of left over seed?
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Post by smsmith on Jun 20, 2020 21:37:17 GMT -6
A bunch. 2 or 3 VNS ladinos (different sources), New Zealand white clover, White dutch, Freedom red, Arlington red, VNS red, VNS Crimson (probably Dixie). There's some weeds out there, but not a lot. This a plot that I have spent an embarrassing number of hours pulling weeds (I have two plots like that). Now that you tell me you have that many different clover food sources in that plot, should be deer in there every day with that much variety. And it sounds like there is...
Was that planned or did you just have a bunch of left over seed?
It was planned. This plot was the first plot that I dealt with an explosion of pigweed and lambsquarter (not waterhemp thankfully). I decided to stop fucking around with annual soil disturbance and figured I'd throw everything but the kitchen sink at it and see what happens.
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Post by benmnwi on Jun 20, 2020 22:13:11 GMT -6
Ive also noticed that thick clover/alfalfa/chicory plots can take out pigweed and lambs quarter.
I don't have that much summer buck activity on my clover though, you must have created the best summer habitat in your neighborhood.
Do you see much buck activity in these same areas in September?
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Post by nhmountains on Jun 20, 2020 23:06:23 GMT -6
This video has nothing to do with clover but, I find it very interesting farming techniques all the way through. Towards the end they get to a cow pasture. He discusses the growth stages of the hay. It spends part time making roots. Part time making the edible portion of the hay and part of the time making the seed head. He rotates his herds through the fields by keeping that hay in the middle zone. I believe he said he’s getting 5x the annual production than other ways of farming. So I’m wondering if that theory could be used on clovers as well. If the deer keep it in that middle zone you don’t need to touch it. If they aren’t keeping up then mowing may be beneficial? That sound right? I know he’s not taking into consideration high heat, sandy soils, and lack of rain.
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Post by smsmith on Jun 21, 2020 7:30:14 GMT -6
Ive also noticed that thick clover/alfalfa/chicory plots can take out pigweed and lambs quarter. I don't have that much summer buck activity on my clover though, you must have created the best summer habitat in your neighborhood. Do you see much buck activity in these same areas in September? Yes, the plot I'm talking about is just west of the house. I posted pics last fall of some bucks using the plot. One pic in particular I though was really cool
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Post by nhmountains on Jun 21, 2020 7:59:55 GMT -6
Stu,
You think that buck is around still? He’s got a big belly.
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Post by smsmith on Jun 21, 2020 8:15:45 GMT -6
Stu, You think that buck is around still? He’s got a big belly. I hope so. I had pics of him after firearm season, so unless a car got him he should still be around.
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Post by nhmountains on Jun 21, 2020 8:36:27 GMT -6
Stu, You think that buck is around still? He’s got a big belly. I hope so. I had pics of him after firearm season, so unless a car got him he should still be around. I have visions of him sneaking along that swamp edge early one fall morning.
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Post by MoBuckChaser on Jun 21, 2020 10:46:41 GMT -6
Ive also noticed that thick clover/alfalfa/chicory plots can take out pigweed and lambs quarter. I don't have that much summer buck activity on my clover though, you must have created the best summer habitat in your neighborhood. Do you see much buck activity in these same areas in September? Yes, the plot I'm talking about is just west of the house. I posted pics last fall of some bucks using the plot. One pic in particular I though was really cool Thats a nice buck stu, he still around?
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Post by smsmith on Jun 21, 2020 10:47:40 GMT -6
Yes, the plot I'm talking about is just west of the house. I posted pics last fall of some bucks using the plot. One pic in particular I though was really cool Thats a nice buck stu, he still around? As far as I know, yes.
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Post by gsquared23 on Jun 21, 2020 16:06:25 GMT -6
So I’m not sure where I heard or read this, but I thought one of the main reasons to mow clover was that when it heads out, it stops fixing as much nitrogen as when it is actively. So if your goal is soil improvement, more frequent mowing is recommended. The second positive consequence of mowing is the stimulation of new, fresh nutrient dense growth that is more attractive and palatable for the animals. In areas of heavy browse, this takes care of itself, but in most low to moderate population density tracts, browsing does not keep up with growth, more due to the abundance of food everywhere at this time of year.
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Post by benmnwi on Jun 21, 2020 18:23:35 GMT -6
Ive also noticed that thick clover/alfalfa/chicory plots can take out pigweed and lambs quarter. I don't have that much summer buck activity on my clover though, you must have created the best summer habitat in your neighborhood. Do you see much buck activity in these same areas in September? Yes, the plot I'm talking about is just west of the house. I posted pics last fall of some bucks using the plot. One pic in particular I though was really cool That's a great buck.
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Post by smsmith on Jun 23, 2020 18:55:00 GMT -6
Well, I wandered out in the unmowed clover plot today. I've got some weeds coming on pretty strong. I may go ahead and hit the plot with the billy goat tomorrow. There's two bucks bedded out there right now. One is as wide as his ears and looks like he's got 8 points.
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Post by Catscratch on Jun 23, 2020 20:16:20 GMT -6
What weeds, are they actually doing harm? Will you have the weather for it to rebound after a mowing?
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Post by smsmith on Jun 23, 2020 20:20:02 GMT -6
What weeds, are they actually doing harm? Will you have the weather for it to rebound after a mowing? Thistles and fleabanes mainly, some grasses too but mowing won't do shit for them...except for not letting them set seed anyway. We had about 1.5" of rain over the last few days or so, and there's some in the forecast. I think the plot will snap back. I'll admit it's a calculated risk
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