Food Plot Question

[katie]

I planted a food plot last fall.  It did fine and I took a doe from it with my cap and ball during late season.  This Spring it started growing in just fine.  We have had 3 weeks of nasty heat.  It broke last night so today I went out to hang a camera.  The grass is about 6" brown and layed over.  Looks bad!  If I had a match it would have burned.  
What to do?
It is in a hard to reach spot.  No chance of mowing.  Should I burn and re-plant?  Will it come back?  It was a "throw and go" type of mix from a big box store.
What do you food plot guys think?
Katie

[Bowmania]

Was it susposed to be an annual or perennial?  When you say grass about 6 inches sounds like weeds to me.  I'd say can it.  I'd round it up when it gets green and start over.

Bowmania

[katie]

The package said it would be good for around 5 years!  Some weeds are starting to pop up.  The grass looks similar to what I had in the Fall.  Yet in the Fall it was a mix with grasses and clovers.

[Huntschool]

First of all... if its that dry DO NOT DROP A MATCH.... ya might not be able to control or contain it once it get going.

If it was a mixture then there may be some hope if ya get some rain.  What was underneath what you looked?  Any green at all?  You still could have residual seed from last year and you may just be experiencing a thing called estivation (a kind of hibernation for plants during rough weather)  Of course, again depending on the seed, it could be all over.  I would think if the seed co advertised five years they were looking at a long term clover, forbes and grasses mix.

Give it a bit with some rain and see what ya get.  If nothing shows up you can always chop it and plant after fly free time with a good mixture.

This is not an unuaual experience with some food plot mixtures.  You might be better off however, consulting your private lands Biologist about a good mix.  The "Package" big name stuff is overpriced and often not designed for "your" area.  I see this frequently in my consulting work.

[lpcjon2]

If it had clover and did die then the clover will break down and enrich the soil for next year.
As mentioned above DO NOT BURN IT you are not prepared for what may occur.

[ALwoodsman]

I would not burn it.  Burning is only for people with the knowledge and experience to do it.  If you do not know what type of plants were in the mix I would just replant this fall.  I would not buy the expensive mixes either.  Most of them contain clover and wheat or oats and you can buy these separate for a whole lot cheaper.  Do some research on the web to find out what you might want to plant.  The QDMA Forum has some great information.

[owlbait]

Katie, if you decide to re-plant I've had good luck with Buck Forage Oats at this time of year and even a bit later. Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

[katie]

Thanks guys. I am not a newbie to burning. I burn 10 acres of prairie at my place every other Spring. Way more fire than my little plot could make:) Not to mention that it is the only dead thing in a 100 acre sea of green timber. I will check it again next week. We got some good rain tonight!

[Huntschool]

Katie:

I would suggest giving it at least two weeks after the rain and then check low to the ground... obviously... LOL

If ya need more info/help don't be afraid to ask

[katie]

Thanks!