News - Horny Buck Seed
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on April 12, 2021 by Kristin Armitage.	
VIDEO: Steps for Quality Food Plots
HB Seed Co. and Scrape Line Hunters teamed up with Plot Dr. and Ag Source Laboratories to create this video covering:
If you have questions about any of these topics, be sure to check it out!
This entry was posted in Food Plot Tips and tagged food plots, seed, soil prep, soil testing on June 4, 2019 by Kristin Armitage.	
Doug Interviewed on Outdoor Adventures with Jayson Podcast
Did you catch Doug’s interview in March with Jayson Sacco on his podcast Outdoor Adventures with Jayson? Be sure to check it out. They discuss food plotting from beginning to end from the perspective of someone new to the process.
Jayson’s podcast episodes cover topics ranging from North American white tail and bear hunting to African safari’s. Learn more about Jayson and subscribe to his podcast on his website.
Have you ever asked Doug for advice on what to plant in your plots? I’d bet money I know what the first thing he’d ask you is.
“Did you do a soil test? What’s your PH?”
Not sure? Not sure how to find out? Don’t worry, we got you.
Soil tests are so important to the success of your plots. They spell out for you exactly what you need to get the groceries you’re looking for. Even the freshest of seeds won’t grow to it’s full potential if soil conditions aren’t juuuuust right. Instead of guessing what your soil might need, wouldn’t you feel better if you knew EXACTLY what it needed? That’s where soil tests come in. Here we’ll explain everything you need to know and do to collect a soil sample and send it in for analysis.
Soil test kit (which you can get more info about here)
Soil probe/section of pipe/shovel
You’ll only need to take the bucket and the soil probe/shovel when you head out to your food plot site. We suggest you take a minimum of five samples from each food plot site: one from each corner and one from the center. You will put all five of these samples into the same bucket, mix them together, and then take some of that soil to submit for your sample for that plot location. Do NOT mix samples from multiple plot sites, though.
You’ll want to go about 4-6 inches into the soil to collect your samples. If you’re using a soil probe, it will likely have marks on the back side that you can use for reference.
First, clear away debris from the area you’d like to collect a sample from. Then, push your soil test probe into the soil, give it a twist, and pull it back up. Finally, knock that soil out into your bucket using a stick, and move onto the next spot. Once you’ve done this five times for that plot site, you have your full soil sample for that location.
Collecting one of five samples for this plot.
Don’t have a soil test probe? No worries, you can accomplish the same thing with a shovel. Ideally, we suggest doing this with something like a garden trowel, but you can make it work without. Basically, you just shovel out a small hole, then scrape the edge of the hole with the shovel. Then place a length of that sample into your bucket. Repeat four more times.
If you only have a shovel, shovel out a small hole and then just scrape some soil of the edge. Then put some of that soil into your bucket.
Once you have all your individual samples from one food plot in your bucket, go ahead and stir it all up. You will then take a portion of this entire sample and submit it for testing.
Essentially, what you’re submitting is an average for the entire plot site. Remember that this is just for one location; be sure to not combine individual samples from multiple sites. This could drastically skew your results.
How to Submit the Soil Sample
Ok, so now you’re ready to send in your soil sample. Remember that test kit? When you open that up, you’ll find two sheets of paper, a bag to put the soil in, and an envelope to put the sample bag and paperwork in for mailing.
Now you’re going to need to fill some paperwork out. You’ll notice that some of the fields on the soil sample bag and the information sheet match up. For example:
It’s pretty self explanatory. An account number will be listed on the form; write that number on the first line of the soil sample bag. Include your name. Be sure to come up with a name for the plot location (Bob’s plot, or Plot A, or whatever you want to call it). You’re sample ID will be 1 unless you had a 5+ acre plot that you divided into smaller sections.
You’ll also notice on the information sheet there’s a section to check off what you intend to plant in that plot next. If you know, great! Mark it off and you will get specific recommendations for that seed blend in your results. If you’re not sure, just check Big Racks.
For the sections “Previous Crop,” “Soil Type,” and “Tillage & Depth,” if you don’t know, it’s ok to leave them blank.
That’s it! Include your $18 cash or check in the envelope with the information sheet and soil sample bag, and drop it in the mail! You can expect your results soon!
Get a soil test kit
Grab a bucket and a soil probe, pipe, or shovel
Collect appx. 5 samples from a food plot site, going 4-6 inches into the soil
Combine those 5 samples in the bucket
Fill out the paperwork in the test kit
Put your soil sample into the sample bag
Put the sample bag, information sheet, and $18 into the mailing envelope
Repeat this process for each of your food plot locations
We’ll explain how to read your results in an upcoming post. In the meantime, if you still have questions, leave us a comment on this post!
Got more specific questions? Join us April 26 at Stadium View in Green Bay for a night of food, drinks, prizes, and food plot knowledge. Reserve your spot here.
Hey, thanks for sticking around to the end! Use code HB10OFF for 10% off your next order. Happy shopping!
This entry was posted in Food Plot Tips and tagged food plot, soil test, soil testing on April 22, 2019 by Kristin Armitage.	
Healthy Herd Road Map: A General Food Plotting Timeline
When it comes to food plots, we get a lot of questions about what to do, when. And we get it! It gets confusing. There’s spring plots and there’s summer plots; there’s small kill plots and there’s big food plots. All of these need to be handled differently. And then there’s soil tests, weed control, fertilizer, what KIND of fertilizer… oof!
It’s ok. We’ll walk you through a basic timeline, and then over the next few months we’ll dive deeper into some of these specific steps. Refer back to this as the year goes on to stay on track with your plotting plans. *Note* We do realize this may vary based on where you’re located. If you have specific questions, don’t be afraid to reach out.
Mineral/Supplemental Feeding – If you’re somewhere where you can put out mineral or other supplemental feed, we highly recommend that you do. This can help alleviate stress on the deer during times of low food sources. (Be sure to check your local game laws.)
Pick new potential Food Plot/Kill Plot sites – take advantage of the snow for finding trails and bedding areas. Use that information to pick new plot sites (if you need them); keep in mind access to these locations and prevailing winds during hunting season. Note: when we say food plot, we’re talking a minimum of 2 acres; kill plots, under 1 acre.
Soil testing – As soon as you can. Please, please do not skip soil testing! The results from your soil test are your guide to food plot success. By skipping soil testing and fertilizing according to the test’s results, you will be losing out on your food plot’s potential.
Frost seeding – Wait until the snow is gone and some of the frost has come out of the ground. Seeding too early means it will sit on top of the snow or frozen ground, which means risking that most of it could become bird food. We recommend frost seeding clover such as our Luck O Blend; most of our other blends should be planted later.
Soil testing – If you haven’t done it yet, May is still a good time. You can still get your results with enough time to prepare for what you may need to add to your soil.
Weed control – Just because your plot looked brown and dead in April doesn’t mean the weeds aren’t there. Your seed doesn’t stand a chance if it’s going to be competing with weeds, so make sure you’re eliminating those as much as you can.
Ag-lime – If you plan to use ag-lime, now is a good time to start applying it. Apply it too soon, and it may wash away with rain. Apply it too late, and it won’t have time to start working and impact your seed growth. A great alternative? Liquid Lime.
Continue with weed control, as needed
Apply ag-lime, as needed
Mow any clover plots – if you frost seeded clover in early spring, you’re going to want to mow that when it blossoms.
Fertilize – You want to try to fertilize as close to planting as you can so the fertilizer can be used by the seed, not washed away.
Plant! – Ideal timing is 60-80 days before a killing frost. Planting too early means your plots will likely be there and gone before hunting season even opens. Be patient! We promise it’s worth the wait.
Of course, fertilizing and planting are not just two simple last steps and then you’re done. There’s disking, rolling, and making sure you’re not over/under seeding too. Equipment varies, as does the blend you’re planting; we’ll get into those details in another post.
Simple enough, right? Just remember, once you have a location established, the key steps are these: soil test, weed control, fertilize, plant. Oh, we almost forgot…
Fall – Shoot a Big Buck!
Got more specific food plotting questions for Doug? See the full schedule of upcoming seminars here. Or simply comment on this post!
This entry was posted in Food Plot Tips and tagged fertilize, food plots, mineral, schedule on March 22, 2019 by Kristin Armitage.	
If you missed the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo in Green Bay, don’t worry! There’s plenty of opportunities coming up to visit with the HB Seed Team or hear Doug speak on the topic of food plots. Here is the current expo and seminar schedule; we will post additional details and updates as we get them.
Tuesday, March 26, 6 – 7:30 pm | Seminar at Scheel’s in Appleton, WI
March 29 – 31 | Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI
Multiple Seminars in Madison:
Friday, March 29 at 8 pm, Room D
Saturday, March 30 at 1 pm & 5:30 pm, Room D
Sunday, March 31 at 12:30 pm, Room D
Saturday, April 6 | Milwaukee Area | More details to come
Sunday, April 7 | Milwaukee Area | More details to come
Saturday, April 13, 10 am, doors open at 9:30 am | Seminar in Norton, Ohio | Download Flyer
Friday, April 26 | Seminar at Stadium View Bar in Green Bay
August 2-4 | DeerFest | West Bend, WI
Check back for more info, and we’ll be sure to remind you as events approach. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date!
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Doug, food plots, seminars on March 11, 2019 by Kristin Armitage.	