In and Out
This has been the scene all too often in the post rut here at The Proving Grounds. Deer are hanging in the acorns on the warmer slopes out of the wind and only on food plots for very brief times.
This has been the scene all too often in the post rut here at The Proving Grounds. Deer are hanging in the acorns on the warmer slopes out of the wind and only on food plots for very brief times.
In the last episode we encountered "Slingshot." Did you notice that his antlers were different on his second appearance? Watch this video to see what we think happened and how it leads to a specific strategy for deer hunting. Next, Grant explains thermals and how to strategically select your hunting location based on air movements. Don't get busted again! Plus, it's time to trap! Grant shares trapping techniques and explains how nest predators can affect many prey species.
Tyler has a great encounter with a LOT of inches of antler during rifle season. Watch this very exciting hunt and the lessons learned. Grant explains a hunting strategy that can yield interesting results! Plus, see the details on a late season hunting tip for targeting deer seeking energy rich food sources!
Cooler temperatures, falling acorns, and the pre-rut have deer on their feet! First up: Daniel and Tyler share their hunts and strategies to get venison in the freezer: two doubles in one day! Then it's youth season. Watch as Rylan gets his second buck of the year and Wylee shoots his first ever whitetail, his first buck! Stay tuned to the end when Grant shares advice on how to improve the habitat for better deer hunting.
Elk hunt! Grant is preparing for his next big adventure: a New Mexico elk hunt. See what he's doing to increase his chances of success for those hunts! Then see a tip to enhance food plots for better deer hunting and healthier deer. Plus, tips for scouting using trail cameras and setting the harvest objectives for The Proving Grounds this season.
See one of the easiest ways to plant a fall food plot! Plus: get an update on the food plots that were planted earlier, meet the newest member of the team then check out new patterns on a hit list buck, Louie.
It's time to be planting fall food plots! Grant shows his food plot techniques then answers some commonly asked questions on how and when to plant/manage food plots. Plus (5:49), he explains how to use real and mock scrapes as part of a hunting strategy.
A closer look at the kidney donation and transplant story of Raleigh and Grant. Then an easy way to plant small, hidey hole food plots for future hunting hot spots.
Deer season is just around the corner so we're scouting velvet bucks in the food plots! The anticipation is starting to build! Plus: preparing and maintaining the Summit treestands for new hunting strategies, an update of summer food plots, summer water resources, and best of all...a mature old buck is back on the trail cameras - Highriser!
We've developing new tactics to overcome some common food plot challenges that will provide better hunting opportunities (02:56). Then see the where and why of improvements to an area with better native browse and the strategy for hunting it (09:17). Plus, Grant shares advice for bow shooting and maintenance as the season draws near (14:14).
In this Facebook live Grant talks about weather, antler development, summer food plots,
Grant and the team return to layout another phase of habitat improvements on a Missouri hunting property. See the before and after from recently completed projects, then new recommendations that focus on better food plots with weed control and timber stand improvement. Stay tuned to the end for an update on food plots, antlers, and plans for the 2018 deer harvest on The Proving Grounds.
It's one of Grant's favorite things to do In July: bow hunting frogs! Plus, a look at our food plots and what it means for deer hunting this fall.
How bad are the ticks? We've conducted three field tests to find out. Watch to see the tests and the results and what this means for deer! Plus, sharing the steps to creating a new food plot along with new ideas for better summer food plots.
Look close! The Eagle Seed Broadside provides tons of food for whitetails! The forage soybeans are so BIG that this Buck barely tops them! Great food, great cover...nice buck!
Grant demonstrates the benefits you'll gain using the "Buffalo" food plot system. A heat gun? You'll be surprised at how hot old school food plots can get. You might not believe your eyes! Are you in a CWD zone? We'll show you a technique to help grow great deer and give you the tastiest food plots in the neighborhood.
Watch our new planting techniques in action! It's a new planting season and Grant has tweaked the Buffalo System to add more tonnage of quality food for deer. Plus, we're using the Buffalo System on a vegetable garden!
The not-so secret "secret" to planting successful food plots. Use inoculant to stimulate growth.
Food plots are a great tool for hunters. In this video we share a proven food plot strategy that works on any size property! Stay tuned for some outtakes from one of Grant's recent seminars.
Deer management means balancing the population with the food resources. Bow hunting is the method we use to help that balance. Grant shares how he practices now for the best form/release for bow hunting. Stay tuned for an update on planting our warm season food plots: tips and strategies for the best food plots possible.
We've got about half or better of our food plots in...and getting rain. This one storm dropped a lot of water!
Tyler has been in the tractor seat a lot of hours this week as he works to get the food plots in with the Genesis no-till drill!
Grant shows the first steps to successful food plots: calibrate your drill because seed sizes changes every year, and planting "green" with the Buffalo System. Next (8:26) Grant walks a recent prescribed burn area. See the improved native habitat for better deer browse. Then (11:46) an example of how cover crop blends work together to protect soil moisture, hold back weeds and feed hungry deer. But first: a brief Memorial Day greeting.
The SwiveLift helps save time and our backs! Working safely means more time to get those food plots in!
This Buffalo Blend food plot feeds deer throughtout the winter...and into spring with the clover that has jumped with the spring rains and warmer temps!
It's a turkey hunting tradition between old friends! Watch as Grant and Scott hunt for the 32nd year together! It's a beautiful morning with a gobbler fanning and drumming in the morning sun! After getting the tom down, Scott declares that it's his "best hunt in 32 years." Stay tuned after the hunt for an update on improvements for better food plots.
Grant shares an update from the field.
Spring green up and coyotes are cruisin' the food plots.
Grant shows his practice method for shooting turkeys at close range with his bow. Watch to see the tips then, new food plot choices: (07:12) see why we are switching from perennial clover to annual clover in some of our plots as Grant shares how the Buffalo System provides quality forage and builds soil during the spring months. Then, (13:43) turkey hunting and deer hunting advice to folks that came to a Bass Pro event.
This video is more than highlights: it's filled with details from presentations at our 2018 spring field days: predator trapping (03:50), food plots and soil management with the buffalo system (10:05), antler scoring/field judging bucks and ground hunting/stalking whitetails (20:48), turkey calling (29:13), and more! It's time to sit back, watch, listen, and learn as the team shares information to help all hunters.
The history behind Eagle Seed and what drives them to develop and provide the best forage soybeans on the market. Watch to learn why we here at GrowingDeer choose to work with this innovative company and why soybeans are one of our top choices for food plots.
You've heard Grant say that big antlers start in the dirt. Here you'll hear the tips for taking a soil sample from the expert at Waters Ag.
Hunters at the NWTF show met with Daniel and Clay for advice on how to improve their hunting properties. Then a "how to" on taking soil samples as we get ready for planting spring food plots.
More questions and more answers from a recent property review: fat, food, soybeans, soil, food plots, nutrients, etc.
Watch as the Non-Typical Wildlife Solutions fence keeps this buck out of those great looking beans! Keep deer out of your food plots or gardens with these electric fences.
Time lapse video of the "team work" crimping and no-till drilling of one of the larger food plots on the Proving Grounds. First the Goliath roller/crimper goes over the cover crop. Then the no-till drill goes over the same area planting the Eagle Seed forage soybeans the deer will feed on for the summer and into fall.
Here is a recipe for success! Grant shares tips on calibrating your Genesis drill for no-till food plots.
Dr. Woods discusses the benefits of native Louisiana browse versus planted food plots.
Eagle Seed beans have been the main stay of our food plot program. The spring shipment is always a day to celebrate! Local hunters often order their seed and pick up at The Proving Grounds.
Chowing down! This young buck shows a lot of potential! Providing good nutrition through quality food plots like Eagle Seed Broadside blend can make a huge difference!
A teaching moment: Dr. Grant Woods takes an afternoon to share his knowledge and experience with students from the College of the Ozarks.
Clover is a staple crop for a food plot program. Adam explains how we establish and maintain our clover food plots for the long term success.
Adam explains the strategy to intercept deer on their way to a major feeding food plot.
The Reconyx Trail Cameras caught this activity by does and fawns in our food plots.
A report from the field as the team is putting in food plots! What to look for to make sure it's done right!
Most hunters plant food plots on smaller acreage. Most farm equipment is designed for planting production ag crops on large acreage. The new Genesis drill is designed specifically for the food plot farmer and hunter. Easy to use, quick and easy calibration, small and efficient for smaller acreage. Wa
Dr. Woods speaks to a group of Alabama hunters on food plots, deer management, and hunting.
The Genesis No-Till Drill is soon to be available as a better tool for deer managers and farmers to plant food plots.
Working in the field taking food plots has additional benefits. Daniel shows his find in this video from the field.
After a hard morning of planting food plots, the guys have a little fun in the truck questioning a mystery of life and favorite foods: who eats that?
We never get tired of seeing the deer satisfy their nutritional and energy needs by eating in our Eagle Seed Broadside food plots!
Finding a food plot blend that feed deer during the harsh winter months is a challenge. The whitetails at our place have leaned that Eagle Seed Broadside mix fits that bill.
Using the No-Till Drill to over seed an existing food plot is a useful strategy to ensure food for the deer herd year round.
These does chow down on the brassicas in this food plot! Brassicas are a great choice for winter food plots.
Our mountainous terrain means there isn't a lot of flat ground for food plots. It also means you can't clear new ground with a bush hog. We experimented with a new method to get some ground cleared for either a new food plot or better native browse. Welcome to the "Boss Hog"!