Spray Smarter: How Hunters Can Control Weeds Without Killing Their Food Plots
This episode of the Huntin’ Land Podcast zeroes in on a question most landowners eventually face: how to control weeds without constantly starting over on food plots. Joe Baya and Clint Flowers set the stage with real-world problems—like battling dog fennel and managing clover stands—before bringing in weed science expert David Russell to help make sense of it all. Russell reframes the conversation early by challenging the idea that all weeds are bad. Instead, he emphasizes that a “weed” is just a plant out of place, and whether it needs to be controlled depends entirely on your goals for the property. From there, the discussion walks through the main options—mechanical methods like mowing and disking versus chemical control—and why herbicides, when used correctly, can offer a more precise way to remove problem plants without wiping out everything else . The most practical takeaway is learning how to think about herbicides as tools rather than something to avoid. The group breaks down the difference between selective and non-selective options and highlights common use cases, like using clethodim to remove grasses from clover or 2,4-DB to target certain broadleaf weeds. Timing and plant biology come up repeatedly as critical factors—getting those wrong can make even the right product ineffective . By the end, the message is clear: food plots don’t need to look perfect to be effective, and you don’t have to start from scratch every season. With the right approach—and a little help from local experts—landowners can manage weeds more efficiently while improving habitat over time. SPONSORS First South Farm Credit Deep South Cranes Dixie Supply/Baker Metalworks Chemical Warehouse Texas Hunter Black Buffalo National Land Realty