New Plot Clearing
Timber and brush cleared from potential plot sites — dozer or excavator depending on what's standing. We get the ground open and ready to work.
Lime & Seedbed Prep
Proper pH and seedbed preparation is the difference between a thriving plot and a weed patch. We prep the ground right before a seed goes in.
Plot Grading & Shaping
Uneven ground smoothed and shaped for uniform stand establishment and easy equipment access. Drainage corrected where needed.
Replanting & Renovation
Old tired plots reworked — tilled, amended, and replanted with species mixes suited to Southern Illinois soils and browse pressure.
Perennial Plot Maintenance
Clover and perennial plots mowed, sprayed, and maintained on schedule throughout the growing season so they stay productive year to year.
Access & Equipment Trails
Trails cut to every plot so you can get equipment in and out without blowing out a stand location. We think about access when we design the layout.
Turnkey Food Plots for Absentee Landowners
A lot of the properties we work are owned by guys in St. Louis, Chicago, or Nashville who bought ground in Southern Illinois for the deer hunting and the investment — but they can't be here to manage it. That's where we come in. We know what grows in Franklin, Williamson, Jackson, and Jefferson County soil, what the deer are actually hitting, and what it takes to maintain plots through Southern Illinois summers without you having to drive down every month.
We're not a seed company or an ag consultant — we're the equipment and labor that actually makes the program happen on the ground. We work with whatever plan you have or can help you build one from scratch.
Fully Insured · Free On-Site Estimates
We carry full liability insurance on every job. Before any work begins, we walk your site, talk through the scope, and give you a clear number. Call 618-417-7381 to schedule a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best food plot species for Southern Illinois whitetail?
Clover is the workhorse for most properties here — it handles the clay soils, tolerates Southern Illinois humidity, and deer hit it hard. Brassicas are good for late season when everything else is played out. Winter wheat and oats are easy and cheap for quick attraction. The right mix depends on your soil pH, plot size, and what you're trying to accomplish — early season draw, late season groceries, or year-round nutrition. We work with what fits your ground.
How big does a food plot need to be to attract deer?
Anything from a quarter acre on up will hold deer if it's positioned right — near bedding, on a travel route, with a prevailing wind that works for your stands. Bigger plots with volume plantings are better for nutrition programs. Smaller kill plots tucked in tight to bedding often produce better hunting than a big open field. We look at the whole property when we're clearing new ground, not just where a plot will fit.
Can you maintain my food plots if I live out of state?
Yes — this is a big part of what we do. We can handle mowing schedules, over-seeding, lime applications, replanting, and general upkeep on a schedule that keeps your plots in shape all season. You tell us what you want, we execute it and report back. You show up in October to a working program.
How much does food plot installation cost in Southern Illinois?
A new plot cleared from brush and brought into production — ground prep, lime, and planting — varies based on what's standing and how big the plot is. Small brush clearing and seeding a quarter-acre plot might run $1,500 to $2,500. Clearing heavier timber for a larger plot scales from there. We quote every job after walking the property. Call 618-417-7381.
Do you handle food plot maintenance on an annual schedule?
Yes. We can set up recurring maintenance visits timed around your planting calendar — spring prep, summer mowing, fall replanting. Absentee landowners who want a hands-off program pay us to keep it running. We'll work out a scope that fits what your property needs and what makes sense to budget.