You can find plenty of magazine literature on what and when to plant food plots for deer. Yes, and there are articles galore on preparing the soil, fertilizing, seeding, etc. However, Neil and Craig Dougherty have raised the bar one giant step with their new book on habitat and food plots, "Grow Em Right." Why is this book different? First, because it has information for someone with thousands of acres, or for those with smaller parcels of less than 1,000 acres, down to very small plots of 20-100 acres. Second, this book was written with an attention to detail. No matter what the topic, you will find interesting and helpful details.

Actually "Grow Em Right" is two books in one. There is the mandatory information on food plots; where to put them, shape, soil testing, seed bed preparation, what to plant, when and how to plant it, etc. This detailed information will help anyone interested in improving deer habitat on any property, large or small. The second "book within a book" is aimed at the person with a piece of property where they want better deer. The depth here is rather incredible. Neil and Craig take you step-by-step through the whole "habitat management for private landowner's" process. Locating land to purchase, building roads, types of gates needed, how to deal with trespassers, site evaluation, using your chain saw to best advantage, timber stand improvements, creating sanctuaries (and how to manage them once you have created them), logging, and what cutting should be done each year. There is an outstanding section on all the various equipment you can use, from inexpensive options to high priced toys. This book will also show you how to manage your hunters once management practices are in place. And the book is filled with ideas on hunting strategies, stand placement, and other information that will give you more hunting success on your property. I especially enjoyed the discussion and illustrations of several existing food plots, showing their shape, wind direction, and how they have been successfully hunted. >

The Dougherty's came to their knowledge by hands-on experience. They purchased a 500-acre property in New York and implemented the strategies described in detail in this book. After five or six years they went from harvesting spindly spikes to super bucks and they now have created the only "Habitat and Hunting Development Demo Center" of its kind in the northern United States. You can purchase this 256-page book for $19.95 plus $5.05 postage NorthCountry Whitetails, 700 North Main Street, Newark, NY 14513, of call 315-331-6959, or order online at www.NorthCountryWhitetails.com.