BioLogic Hot Spot

[fishnhunt]

I planted my hot spot plots over Labor Day weekend. I am worried that I waited to long (frost). Has anyone had any experience with them? When did you plant? How did they work, etc?

[Mark Christianson]

What part of the state?

We are down by Vining south of you, and we tried Labor Day weekend one year, and it was just a tad late to offer enough time for good growth.

Granted, weather conditions dictate that. I suppose you are asking because of the cold weather last night? I assume since your profile is Perham, maybe you are talking about that area??

I planted mid August this year, and will try that weekend or the weekend before Labor Day weekend going forward for sure.

[fishnhunt]

Thanks for the reply biglakeba$$.

I planted near Perham. And yes I am worried because it was pretty cold last night and the forecast shows some more frost risk yet this week. We finally got some rain last week but I haven't seen anything poke through the soil yet. I am hoping for a later than normal first frost. Did the plot hold deer pretty well? I planted with lime and 10-10-10 fertilizer per the instructions. Not sure if there is other things that help. I just worried that I did a lot of work (planting, fertilizing, liming, etc.) and will not see much for results. The reviews on cabelas HSOforum said good things about the product but not sure they were planted in cold climates.

[Mark Christianson]

The plots draw all kinds of wildlife for sure.

But if you have crops around, its not going to be an instant magnet for deer. It'll help to some degree, but its dependent on lots of variables.

Is there anything else you can do, or could have done?

About the only thing would be to pray we dont get more frosts, or that what you have will get through these times, and still make it.

Check with Biologic on that specific blend to find out what they have to say about your situation. Not much you can do, but it cant hurt to find out for future reference in plotting.

[Swill]

Hey Fishnhunt... Welcome to the forum

I planted BioLogic Hot Spot about 3 weeks ago and the deer are already hitting it. Lots of tracks everywhere. From my experience there seem to be a lot of traffic already on the food plot. I just hope their will stil be food on the plot a few weeks from now.

FYI, my spot is not near any additional food sources like crops or other hunters, so I think that is why the deer are really hitting the spot. Just a guess though...

[fishnhunt]

Thanks for your replies biglakeba$$ and swill. I will keep you posted on how my plots work out.

[fishnhunt]

I e-mailed Biologic on my question and they responded right away. Here is what they had to say about timing and planting recommendations for MN.

Yes, Labor Day is too late for here in MN. I'm in Ham Lake, in between Anoka and Forest Lake and I planted all of my late summer/fall plots the 15-20 of August.

 

With fall plots you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. During most years if you plant during the middle of August you should be OK in Central MN. Up north along the Canadian border I'd push it to the 1st of August.

 

A 40-50 lb bag of 10-10-10 will work fine for each bag of Hot Spot. The lime that you applied won't do any good until next year unless it is pellet lime. If it's regular powdered ag lime it takes months to do its job.

Guess I should have asked back in August