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Resources/Food Plot Preparation

Food Plot PreparationLand Clearing for Deer Plots

Clear and prepare land for successful deer food plots. Forestry mulching creates ready-to-plant sites that improve your hunting property.

Get Site AssessmentCall: (123) 456-7890

1-5

Acres Typical Size

$2-4K

Per Acre to Clear

6-8+

Hours Sun Needed

2-6

Months Before Planting

Food Plot Types & Timing

Plan your clearing around your planting goals

Fall Plots (Cool Season)

Plants: Oats, wheat, rye, clover, brassicas, winter peas

Planting: Plant: September-October

Clear by: Clear by August for soil prep

Size: 1-5 acres typical

Spring Plots (Warm Season)

Plants: Soybeans, lablab, cowpeas, sunflowers, grain sorghum

Planting: Plant: April-May

Clear by: Clear by March for soil prep

Size: 2-10 acres typical

Perennial Plots

Plants: Clover (white, crimson, ladino), alfalfa, chicory

Planting: Plant: Fall or early spring

Clear by: Clear 2-3 months before planting

Size: 1-3 acres typical

Kill Plots

Plants: Brassicas near stands, small clover patches

Planting: Plant: Late summer/early fall

Clear by: Clear during summer

Size: 1/4-1 acre near hunting stands

Site Selection Factors

Where to locate your food plot for success

FactorRequirementNotes
Sunlight6-8+ hours dailyAvoid heavy canopy areas; most food plots need full sun
Soil QualityLoamy preferredSoil test before planting; most Texas soils need lime/fertilizer
DrainageGood drainageAvoid low spots that hold water; slight slope is ideal
AccessWithin 300 yards of coverDeer won't cross large open areas; place near bedding
Hunting PositionDownwind stand locationPlan your plot with prevailing winds in mind
Size1-5 acres typicalLarger isn't always better; multiple small plots may be more effective

Food Plot Preparation Process

From brush to planted plot

1

Site Selection

Choose a location with good sunlight (6-8+ hours), decent soil, and strategic position relative to deer bedding and travel patterns.

2

Brush Clearing

Forestry mulch the plot area. We grind brush and small trees into mulch that can remain in place or be removed for immediate planting.

3

Stump Treatment

For areas with brush that could regrow (mesquite), stump treatment prevents regrowth from competing with your food plot.

4

Soil Testing

Test soil pH and nutrients. Texas soils typically need lime (to raise pH) and fertilizer additions for productive food plots.

5

Soil Preparation

Disc or till the site to incorporate remaining mulch and prepare seedbed. Some plots can be no-till planted if properly cleared.

6

Planting

Plant appropriate seeds at correct rate and depth. Timing is critical - match planting to species requirements and soil moisture.

We Handle Steps 2-4

Bear Claw provides professional brush clearing (step 2) and can coordinate stump treatment (step 3). We can recommend soil testing labs and provide guidance on preparation. Discing/tilling and planting are typically done by the landowner or a separate agricultural service.

Food Plot Clearing Costs

2025 Texas rates

Brush clearing (forestry mulching)

Standard clearing rate

$2,000 - $4,000/acre

Stump treatment (if needed)

For mesquite/regrowth species

$200 - $500/acre

Mulch removal (optional)

If you want clean seedbed vs. mulch in place

$300 - $600/acre

Light grading (optional)

For drainage improvement

$200 - $400/acre

Example: 3-Acre Food Plot

Brush clearing: $6,000 - $12,000

Stump treatment: $600 - $1,500

Total: $6,600 - $13,500

(Additional soil prep/planting by others)

Leave Mulch or Remove It?

Leave Mulch In Place

Best when you have 6-12 months before planting

  • ✓ Adds organic matter to soil
  • ✓ Suppresses weed competition
  • ✓ Reduces erosion
  • ✓ Lower cost (no removal)
  • ✓ No-till planting possible
  • • Needs time to decompose

Remove Mulch

Best when planting immediately

  • ✓ Plant immediately after clearing
  • ✓ Clean seedbed preparation
  • ✓ Easier conventional tillage
  • ✓ Better seed-soil contact
  • • Additional cost ($300-600/acre)
  • • Lose organic matter benefit

Most Texas food plotters leave mulch in place - it improves soil over time and works well with no-till or broadcast seeding methods.

Related Resources

Hunting Property Land Management

Complete guide to managing your hunting property for wildlife.

Read Guide →

Deer Habitat Clearing Guide

Strategic clearing for improved deer habitat and hunting.

Read Guide →

Food Plot Preparation FAQs

Common questions about clearing for food plots

Food plot clearing typically costs $2,000-$4,000 per acre using forestry mulching, the same as standard land clearing. A typical 2-acre food plot costs $4,000-$8,000 to clear. Additional services like stump treatment ($200-$500/acre), mulch removal ($300-$600/acre), or light grading ($200-$400/acre) are optional add-ons depending on your needs.
Either works, depending on your timeline: Leave mulch in place if you can wait 6-12 months for decomposition - it improves soil and suppresses weeds. Remove mulch if you need to plant immediately or want a clean seedbed. Many successful food plots are planted directly into decomposing mulch with no-till methods.
Ideally, clear 2-6 months before planting to allow: mulch decomposition if left in place, time for soil testing and amendment, multiple tillage passes to prepare seedbed, and identification/treatment of any regrowth. For fall plots, clear by July-August. For spring plots, clear by February-March. Emergency plots can be planted within weeks if mulch is removed.
For Texas deer hunting, 1-5 acre plots work well for most situations. Larger plots (3-5 acres) provide more total food and hunting opportunities. Smaller plots (1/2-2 acres) near bedding areas create concentrated feeding for hunting. Multiple smaller plots spread across the property often outperform one large plot. 'Kill plots' near stands can be as small as 1/4 acre.
Key considerations: 1) Sunlight - need 6-8+ hours daily sun for most crops; 2) Within 200-300 yards of cover - deer won't cross large open areas; 3) Good drainage - avoid low spots; 4) Downwind hunting position - plan stand locations with prevailing winds; 5) Between bedding and other food sources - intercept natural travel patterns. We can help identify ideal locations during your assessment.
Forestry mulching alone creates a cleared area with mulch covering the soil. For immediate planting, you'll need additional seedbed preparation (discing or tilling to incorporate mulch and create soil contact). However, no-till food plot methods can work directly into mulched areas using broadcast seeding and drag or crimping. The mulch eventually decomposes and improves soil organic matter.

Food Plot Success Stories

Results from Texas food plot projects

Customer Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers across Texas.

Ready to Start Your Food Plot?

Get a free site assessment. We'll help identify the best location and provide a quote for clearing your food plot site.

Get Site AssessmentCall: (123) 456-7890