Wildlife food plots and deer management are important topics to many Oklahoma hunters, and this summer and fall sportsmen can attend a demonstration and a workshop to learn more about both.
A wildlife food plot demonstration hosted by Oklahoma State University Extension and several seed companies will take place Aug. 2 from 3-5 p.m. in Slaughterville.
The OSU Extension along with Ross Seed, The Whitetail Institute, Mossy Oak/Biologic, Eagle Seed, Pennington, Tecomate and Evolved Harvest will team up for the event to plant acres of their seed blends, and the public is welcome to attend and learn more about which seed blends stand up best to deer pressure. Copies of tissue and soil sample results will be on hand, and the landowner will discuss the planting process and his plans for managing deer on his property.
To get to the site, travel 4.6 miles east on Slaughterville Road from the Shamrock station at the intersection of Hwy 77 and Slaughterville Road (south of Norman/Noble). Immediately to the north, look for the white OSU sign. Turn in to the gate and follow the road north. For more information or for trouble locating the demonstration site, call OSU at (405) 321-4774. Attendees should plan to arrive at 3 p.m. and should wear proper attire and bug spray. For questions or to RSVP email Cherry Slaughter at cherry.slaughter@okstate.edu.
Management Seminar
Additionally, a whitetail deer management seminar will be held Sept. 19 by OSU Extension and the Noble Foundation from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Fry Auditorium/Sutton Wilderness in Norman. The workshop will provide key insights into behavior, nutrition and biology to help understand and manage deer in Oklahoma.
Registration is $15 and includes lunch, or participants can register and receive a book on managing for deer in the Cross Timbers region for $35. More information is available at http://www.noble.org/events/ag/ and payment can by arranged by contacting Jackie Kelley at (580) 224-6360 or jmkelley@noble.org.
Biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation also will be on hand at the events to discuss deer management with attendees.
Countless properties across Oklahoma are being purchased for recreation, and many of these landowners are planting food plots and attempting to manage deer herds. These events are intended to help these landowners in maximizing their efforts.