Grazing Cages: A Simple Tool to Boost Your Food Plot Success

Grazing cages—also known as exclusion or utilization cages—are simple, effective structures used to measure browsing pressure in food plots. By protecting a small section of your plot, these cages allow you to compare plant growth inside the cage versus outside, helping you understand how deer are impacting your forage.

Why Use a Grazing Cage

  • Monitor Seed Germination: See which seeds are germinating without interference from browsing.
  • Measure Deer Pressure: Taller plants inside the cage indicate heavy browsing outside.
  • Prevent Weed Takeover: Overgrazed areas leave bare ground, which weeds quickly invade.
  • Make Informed Decisions: Use the data to adjust planting strategies, plot size, or deer harvest.

What You’ll Need

  • 48-inch-tall welded wire fencing with 2x4-inch mesh
  • Two stakes per cage (wooden stakes, steel rebar, or T-posts)
  • Wire cutters or shears, zip ties or wire
  • Leather gloves for safety
  • Bright orange tape or flagging for visibility

Construction Steps

  1. Cut the Wire: Cut a 10-foot section from the fencing roll. Leave extra wire near a vertical strand to use as a fastener.
  2. Form the Cage: Bend the wire into a circular shape and secure the ends with tag wires or zip ties.
  3. Install the Cage: Place the cage in your food plot and anchor it with stakes on opposite sides.
  4. Mark the Cage: Use bright tape or flagging to make the cage visible to equipment operators.

How to Use Grazing Cages

  1. Placement: Install the cage immediately after planting.
  2. Observation: Monitor plant height and density inside and outside the cage throughout the season.
  3. Analysis:
    • High Grazing Pressure: If plants inside the cage are significantly taller and denser, deer density may be too high for your plot size.
    • Low Grazing Pressure: If plant growth is similar inside and outside, deer pressure is low or forage is sufficient.
  4. Decision-Making: Use your observations to guide future plot management:
    • Increase plot acreage
    • Plant more robust forage varieties
    • Adjust deer harvest levels

Next Level Consulting Tips

  • Use multiple cages in larger plots for better sampling.
  • Take photos throughout the season to track changes.
  • Rotate cage locations each year to monitor different areas.

 

Grazing Cages: A Simple Tool to Boost Your Food Plot Success
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