Among the best ways of attracting and maintaining a healthy population of wild turkeys is creating a food plot for wild turkeys. Maintaining a healthy turkey food plot does more than provide a necessary nutrient to the turkeys. It can help improve the habitat for the turkey as well as support other wildlife.
This article is all about what wild turkeys eat and how to design the perfect food plot to allow for a thriving ecosystem that is mutually beneficial for turkeys and hunters.
What Do Wild Turkeys Eat?
Wild turkeys are omnivorous and have a wide variety of diets. Some of their foods include plants, fruits, seeds, insects, and even small amphibians.
Here’s the breakdown of their primary food sources:
- Plant-based Foods: Wild turkeys eat a diversity of seeds, grains, and nuts. This includes acorns, which they just love. Grasses, clovers, and other forb are eaten as well.
- Fruits: Wild turkeys like fruits including blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Fruits from trees such as persimmons and crabapples are also good.
- Insects and Protein Sources: Insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars are essential sources of protein for turkeys during breeding and nesting seasons.
During the Spring and summer periods, the turkeys seek insects and green vegetation; whereas, the mast (acorns, nuts), and grains form their main food intake during the fall and winter periods.
Important note: turkey needs varied nutrition to keep fit. When their natural food pattern is incorporated into a food plot, then even when their natural food source may be in deficit, they still have it during other periods of the year.
Why Plan a Turkey Food Plot?
Having a turkey food plot can benefit in several ways:
Better Habitat: Good planning of a food plot enhances the habitat and helps turkeys in getting food from a safe area.
Supports Other Wildlife Species: Food plots support other species of wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and pollinators.
Better Hunting Experience: Food plots attract turkeys to an area, so hunting can be more predictable and enjoyable.
Sustainability: The local turkey population will have enough resources to survive and reproduce.
How to Make a Turkey Food Plot?
Choose the Right Location for Your Food Plot
The first step in making a successful turkey food plot is selecting the ideal location. Consider the following factors:
- Proximity to Roosting Areas: Place the food plot near known turkey roosting areas for easy access to them. Turkeys commonly roost in large trees and prefer having feeding areas nearby, as this saves them trouble and keeps them safe.
- Water Sources: Turkeys need water to survive, so the location must be near a natural water source, such as a stream, pond, or marsh. Alternatively, an artificial source of water could be installed if a natural water source is not available, for example, a small pond or a water trough.
- Cover and Protection: Turkeys prefer open areas with some cover around them. Place shrubs, trees, or tall grasses around your food plot to protect the birds from predators. Edge habitats are the most attractive because they provide a combination of open fields and dense cover where turkeys can feed and find safety.
- Soil Quality: Take a soil test to ensure the selected area has fertile soil with the appropriate pH level of 6.0 to 7.0 for planting. Organic matter, such as compost or manure, can be added to improve soil health and increase crop yields.
Recommended Plot Size and Shape
For turkey food plots, a size of 1 to 5 acres is ideal, depending on the available land and the local turkey population.
The most effective irregular shapes or long, narrow plots because turkeys can feed while staying near cover.
The larger the plot, the more wildlife it can support, but smaller plots can also be effective when placed in the right locations. Avoid square and circular plots since these may expose turkeys and make them an easy target for predators.
Incorporate pathways or corridors connecting the food plot to other habitat areas to encourage turkey movement and utilization.
Best Plants for Turkey Food Plots
What to Plant for Turkey Food Plot? When designing your turkey food plot, it’s essential to select plants that meet their dietary needs and attract turkeys year-round. Here are some recommended seeds and crops:
- Grains and Legumes:
- Sorghum: Provides seeds and cover for turkeys.
- Corn: A high-energy food source, especially useful in colder months.
- Soybeans: Rich in protein, ideal for nesting and brooding seasons.
- Wheat: A versatile crop that supports turkeys through fall and winter.
- Oats: Nutritious and appealing, especially during early growth stages.
- Rye: Hardy and great for soil erosion prevention while feeding turkeys.
- Forbs and Clovers:
- White clover: Offers year-round forage and is easy to establish.
- Crimson clover: A vibrant and nutritious option for spring planting.
- Alfalfa: Packed with protein, supporting turkeys’ dietary needs.
- Chicory: A perennial favorite that withstands grazing and provides long-term benefits.
- Native Plants and Fruits:
- Sunflowers: Produce seeds and attract insects, a secondary food source.
- Blackberries: A natural treat for turkeys and a habitat for insects.
- Persimmons: Supplies a sweet and energy-rich food source during fall.
Mixing Seeds for Food Plot
Planting a mix of seeds ensures diversity in the food plot, providing turkeys with a range of nutrients throughout the year. For instance, combining grains with clovers and chicory creates a balanced diet that supports turkeys during different seasons.
Moreover, a mix helps maintain the productivity and appeal of the plot even during harsh weather conditions.
When to Plant Turkey Food Plots?
The timing of your planting depends on the season:
Spring Planting
- The best time is late March to early May (depending on your region).
- The best crops to plant are clovers, chicory, soybeans, and sunflowers.
Spring planting is essential for the support of turkeys during their nesting season. These crops provide necessary nutrients and cover, ensuring hens have the energy to lay eggs and care for their poults.
Clover and chicory are particularly valuable because they offer protein-rich forage, while sunflowers and soybeans attract insects that are crucial for poults’ diets. Spring planting also establishes a robust food plot that sustains wildlife throughout the warmer months.
Fall Planting
- The best time is late August to early October.
- The best crops to plant are wheat, oats, rye, and brassicas.
Fall planting prepares your food plot for lean winter months where natural resources are scarce. Brassicas have been particularly excellent because they produce great foliage and lots of carbohydrate stores in the root that turkeys can dig through during cold snaps.
Rye and oats put down a long-lasting cover with forage, hence excellent choices when trying to bring turkeys on during late fall and winter.
Preparations Before Planting
Soil Preparation:
- Test the Soil: Test for pH and nutrient levels to ensure that your selected crops will grow well.
- Adjust pH: If the soil pH is below 6.0 to 7.0, add lime. Apply fertilizer based on the test results to fill in nutrient deficiencies.
- Clear the Area: Remove debris, weeds, and rocks to create a clean planting surface and prevent competition with your crops.
- Aerate the soil: In case the soil is compacted, use a tiller or aerator to loosen it so that roots penetrate effectively and for better water retention.
Planting Techniques:
- Seed Distribution: Seed drill/broadcast spreader with which one can seed all over the plot effectively to avoid bare patches that result in inviting weeds for an easy growth of bare patches.
- Cover the Seeds: Sow seeds under a drag harrow, roller, or rake to ensure maximum germination and prevent birds from eating them.
- Watering: If it doesn’t rain enough, water the plot after planting to help the seeds get established.
- Mulch Application: Apply a thin layer of straw mulch to retain soil moisture and protect young plants from temperature extreme.
How to Maintain Your Turkey Food Plot
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your food plot productive and attractive to turkeys. Here are some tasks to include:
- Weed Control: Remove invasive plants that compete with your crops. Mow or apply herbicides if necessary.
- Fertilization: Reapply fertilizer based on soil tests to maintain nutrient levels.
- Irrigation: Provide supplemental watering during dry periods to ensure plant health.
- Soil Monitoring: Conduct periodic soil tests to check for pH and nutrient imbalances. Add lime or fertilizer as needed to maintain optimal conditions.
- Replanting: Over-seed areas where crops have thinned out to keep the food plot lush and productive.
Hunting Strategies Over Food Plots
Can You Hunt on a Food Plot for Turkey? Yes, food plots make great locations to hunt turkey, as turkeys visit food plots regularly. Be sure to consult local hunting guidelines to make certain that hunting takes place within the code of ethics.
1. Scout the Area
Carefully observe turkey activity to identify feeding patterns, roosting sites, and their preferred times of day. Use trail cameras or spend time watching the area at dawn and dusk to gather reliable data. Understanding their routine is crucial for a successful hunt.
2. Hide Setup
Use a hunting blind on the ground, popup, or foliage to remain as inconspicuous as possible during the hunt. Make sure your blind is adequately camouflaged and placed so that it faces downwind to avoid being spied on by a turkey from its food plot.
3. Use Decoys
Place turkey decoys, such as a feeding hen or a strutting tom, within the food plot. Decoys attract turkeys into shooting ranges and create a sense of safety for them to approach.
4. Strategically Call
Master turkey calls to mimic hens, gobblers, or young turkeys, depending on the season and hunting strategy. Avoid overcalling, as it makes turkeys suspicious. Increase the volume and frequency of calls based on distance and responsiveness.
5. Position Yourself Wisely
Try to locate your blind or hunting spot around the edges of your food plot, where turkeys feel safe and are going to enter. Break up your silhouette with a natural cover, then be able to keep a clean shot at your decoys and feeding area.
6. Be Conscious of Wind and Locomotion
Turkeys’ vision is superior and readily alert them to locomotion. A person will not need much encouragement from moving or anything associated with their equipment that catches wind when sounding and sensing since this informs them of danger.
7. Timing is Key
It is best to be patient and wait until early morning or late afternoon as turkeys tend to come to food plots during these times. Wait in silence and allow turkeys plenty of time to come closer and take the shot.
8. Practice Ethical Hunting
Be aware of local hunting laws and practice clean, accurate shooting to avoid causing undue stress to the animal. You can also check this post: Where Do You Shoot a Turkey?
Conclusion
A wild turkey food plot requires planning, preparation, and maintenance. The reward, however, is well worth the effort. If you understand what wild turkeys eat and apply best practices for location selection, planting, and upkeep, you will have a reliable food source to support the turkey population and enhance your hunting experience.
Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or a hunter, a turkey food plot is a valuable investment in the environment and your outdoor pursuits.
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