On this episode, Joe and Butch welcome Dr. James Kroll, known as Dr. Deer and is Professor Emeritus of Forest Wildlife Management at Stephen F. Austin State University and Director of the Institute of Whitetail Deer Management and Research, to discuss food plot preparation and seed selection. When starting from scratch, Dr. Kroll emphasized topography, soil type, and location when selecting a food plot site - ideally somewhere with low terrain and 3% dedicated to food plots. He also recommended placing the plot near travel corridors (like creeks or roads) and cover.   It's not just about location, though. Dr. Kroll also outlined food plot preparation considerations,  explaining that the planting method should match the site and that hunters should expect to make multiple visits to do seed bed preparation if managing from a distance.

Regarding seed selection, Dr. Kroll recommends plants like grasses, legumes, broad leaves, and brassicas. He highlighted the benefits of buck forage oats, like selective breeding and Frost tolerance. He also discussed chicory, noting that deer like it, but it can be invasive, and suggested avoiding varieties with red veins. Dr. Kroll finished by discussing the ideal food plot in terms of size, soil, and things to consider when planting a No-Till plot. Lastly, to avoid big mistakes, Dr. Kroll encouraged being aware of planting timing, planting depth, and selecting pure varieties of chicory to ensure the desired food plot.

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