Habitat Improve your hunting land!

Whether you're planting your first food plot, working on forest stand improvement, or preparing for a prescribed burn, the NDA has the information you need to help you be successful. We rely on the latest research and experts in their field to bring you the most reliable, up-to-date information on managing your land for the benefit of white-tailed deer and other wildlife.

Habitat

Six Factors in Designing Successful Deer Hunting Plots

May 24, 2023 Kip Adams

There are two main types of food plots for deer, nutritional and hunting plots. In general, nutritional plots are larger (1 to 5 acres) and are intended to provide abundant nutrition over numerous months. Hunting…

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Habitat

How to Shop for Food Plot Lime to Maximize Deer Nutrition

May 3, 2023 Kip Adams

Calcium oxide is its chemical name, but we’re deer hunters rather than chemists, so we’ll simply refer to it as lime. It’s like your buddy’s nickname – more personal, fun, and, well, understandable. That’s important…

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6 Essential Tools for Managing a Small Property for Deer Hunting

Apr 26, 2023 Brian Grossman

One of the perks of owning a small hunting property is you don’t need a lot of big, expensive equipment to manage it for whitetails. With some basic, inexpensive tools, you can create food plots,…

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Deer Hunters Should be Weed Farmers

Apr 19, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Deer hunters should be weed farmers. Wait, not that kind of weed! I’m talking about forbs – all those non-grass, broad-leaved, herbaceous plants that most people call “weeds” and most deer consider food. Common ragweed,…

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The Benefits of Growing-Season Burns With Luke Resop of Mississippi State University

Mar 22, 2023 NDA Staff

In this episode, we’re talking with Luke Resop of Mississippi State University about prescribed fire. More specifically, we’re discussing the pros and cons of growing season burns, as well as considerations and expectations for burning…

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3 Easy Options for Summer Deer Nutrition and Food Plots

Mar 15, 2023 Ben Westfall

“What should I plant in my food plot?” This is the most common question I receive from deer hunters. Fortunately, my experience as a land manager has prepared me to answer this question. I also…

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Creating Deer Food Plots With Minimal Equipment

Mar 1, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Many hunters want to maximize their hunting success by planting a food plot but might not think they have the equipment to do so. However, if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and…

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The Right and Wrong of Hinge Cutting for Deer Habitat

Feb 22, 2023 Zack Vucurevich

As I travel the country working with landowners to improve deer herds and habitat, the one management technique I see overused, mismanaged and misunderstood the most is hinge cutting.  There is a time and a…

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The Three Most Dangerous Hinge Cut Safety Mistakes

Feb 13, 2023 NDA Staff

Hinge cutting is a popular and useful tool for improving deer habitat. It can also involve significant risk of injury since chainsaws and trees are involved. Luckily there are some very simple rules that can…

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Maximize Clover Food Plots for Deer with Winter Maintenance Now

Feb 1, 2023 Mark Turner

Perennial clover is perhaps the most popular food plot planting for deer, and with good reason! Clover food plots provide attraction during hunting season, high-quality forage during spring and early summer, and several years of…

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