What is the Big Game Forage Mix?

Big Game Forage Mix is a hardy perennial seed blend ideal for pastures and food plots across the U.S. (Great Plains, Midwest, Northeast, and beyond). Combining drought-tolerant oats, forage peas, alfalfa, chicory, tillage radish, and clovers, it delivers high-protein grazing for cattle, sheep, goats, and deer while improving soil health, aiding erosion control, and thriving in diverse climates.

Specifications

Sun Requirement

Full sun

Soil Preference

Well-drained loam or clay-loam, medium fertility

Soil pH

6.0 – 7.5

Time to Maturity

60–90 days to first grazing

Height when mature

2–4 ft (ungrazed; chicory flowers up to ~4 ft)

Seeding Rate

~80–100 lbs/acre (broadcast)

Planting Depth

1/4 – 1/2 inch

Categories: Seed Selector, New, Bison Pastures, Deer Food Plot Seed, Upland Game Food Plot Blends

Seed Selector, New

Big Game Food Plot & Forage Mix

Name: Big Game Food Plot & Forage Mix - Nature's Seed
SKU: PB-GAME
Availability: InStock

SKU: PB-GAME

(4.7) - 145 reviews

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Description

What Seeds are in the mix?

Deep-Rooted Drought Resilience

This mix features powerhouse plants like alfalfa and chicory, both known for their deep taproots—over 20 feet in mature alfalfa! That means they pull moisture from deep in the soil, staying green and productive even when the weather turns dry. When rain is scarce, they don’t die—they wait. That’s resilience you can count on.

High-Nutrient Forage Value

This mix delivers premium nutrition on par with high-end forages like alfalfa. Forage chicory alone offers 10–32% protein with up to 95% digestibility, while the clovers and alfalfa add lush, protein-rich foliage that drives weight gain and boosts milk production. Whether you’re feeding livestock or attracting deer, animals love the taste, and your pasture works as hard as they do.

Wildlife & Livestock Compatible

Big Game Forage Mix is crafted to satisfy all major grazers—cattle, sheep, goats, and especially deer. Every seed in this blend pulls double duty: oats and winter peas offer fast cool-season growth, while clovers and chicory keep the forage coming all summer long. It’s a proven food plot favorite and a powerhouse pasture—nutritious, palatable, and irresistible to both livestock and wildlife.

Low Maintenance & Soil-Enriching

This perennial-based mix comes back year after year, cutting down on replanting and saving you time. Nitrogen-fixing peas, alfalfa, and clovers naturally feed the soil, slashing your fertilizer costs. Fast-growing radish crowds out weeds in just 3–4 weeks, while its thick taproots “bio-drill” the soil, breaking up compaction and boosting water infiltration. It’s a self-improving pasture that works harder so you don’t have to.

Drought Performance

Big Game Forage Mix thrives where others fail—staying green and productive through dry spells thanks to deep-rooted perennials like alfalfa and chicory. Alfalfa can reach moisture far below the surface, going dormant in extreme drought and bouncing back fast when rain returns. Chicory’s rugged taproot also handles drought with ease. While quick-growing oats and peas do best with early moisture, the clovers, alfalfa, and chicory carry your pasture through summer, keeping it lush and nutritious when shallow-rooted crops fade. Perfect for dryland farms and rain-fed fields.

Description

What Seeds are in the mix?

Detail Product

Sun/Shade

Full sun

Height

2–4 ft

Seeding Rate

~80–100 lbs/acre (broadcast)

Uses

Livestock grazing, wildlife food plots, erosion control cover, soil improvement, pollinator meadow, green manure/cover cropping

Color

Lush green foliage; blooms are blue (chicory), purple (alfalfa), white (white clover), and pink (red clover) among others

Water

Lush green foliage; blooms are blue (chicory), purple (alfalfa), white (white clover), and pink (red clover) among others

Native

Introduced (species originally from Europe/Asia); now cultivated and naturalized throughout North America

Life Form

Herbaceous annuals and perennials (cool-season forbs and legumes)

Product Uses

Grazing that goes the distance

Big Game Forage Mix is a season-long solution for pasture-based farmers, ranchers, and wildlife managers alike. Oats and peas jumpstart growth in early spring, while clovers, alfalfa, and chicory deliver high-protein nutrition through summer and fall. Whether you’re feeding beef cattle, supporting a dairy herd, or managing land for deer, this mix offers balanced, digestible forage nearly year-round. Fast to establish and built to last, it’s ideal for productive pastures and high-impact food plots that perform well into hunting season.

Stop erosion in its tracks—naturally

Got a slope, creek bank, or bare patch that’s washing out? Big Game Forage Mix is your go-to solution. With fast-growing oats and peas to anchor the surface and deep taproots from radish, chicory, and alfalfa to lock in the soil, this blend builds a living barrier against erosion. It forms a thick, protective canopy that shields your land from heavy rain, while the diverse root system boosts infiltration and soil structure. Use it after harvest, construction, or anywhere you need to green up fast and keep your topsoil in place. It’s tough, regenerative, and easy on the eyes.

Ditch the upkeep—keep the green

Say goodbye to high-maintenance lawns and weed-filled fields. Big Game Forage Mix gives you a lush, self-sustaining alternative for large spaces like acreage lawns, orchards, or pasture-style landscapes. Once established, it thrives with minimal mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Low-growing clovers act like living mulch, suppressing weeds and creating a clean, meadow-like look—no constant upkeep required. Unlike plain turf, this diverse blend stays healthier, greener, and more resilient through heat and drought. It’s the perfect choice for natural lawns, “bee lawns,” or low-input land management. Whether you’re after beauty, utility, or both, just plant it, give it the occasional graze or trim, and enjoy the results.

Turn your land into a wildlife magnet

Big Game Forage Mix is built for hunters, land stewards, and anyone who wants to draw in deer and other wild grazers—no feeders required. With a buffet of clovers, chicory, oats, and peas, this mix keeps game coming back from early spring through late fall. Deer love the protein-packed forage, turkeys pick through the clover for seeds and insects, and rabbits and upland birds thrive in the shelter it provides. It’s more than a food plot—it’s a year-round habitat that boosts nutrition, cover, and wildlife activity. Plant it once, and watch your land come alive.

Questions & Answers

What is Big Game Forage Mix, and what do people use it for?

Yes, Big Game Forage Mix is great for both grazing animals and attracting wildlife.

This mix is made from a variety of nutritious plants—like oats, forage peas, alfalfa, chicory, radish, and clovers—that grow into a rich, green pasture. Once established, it comes back year after year, making it a long-term option for feeding livestock (such as cattle, sheep, and goats) or drawing deer and other game to your land.

If you’re just getting started, think of it as an all-in-one seed blend that supports animal health, boosts your soil, and even helps prevent erosion. Whether you want a food plot for hunting season or a low-maintenance pasture for grazing, this mix makes it easy. Just plant, water, and let nature do the rest.

Is this mix suitable for grazing – will my animals and deer actually eat it?

Yes, animals love it—and it’s packed with nutrition.

Every plant in this mix was chosen because livestock and wildlife enjoy eating it. Cattle, horses, goats, and sheep all graze it enthusiastically. White clover and alfalfa, for example, are two of the most nutritious forages you can grow. Deer are big fans too—they’ll come for the oats and peas early in the season and stick around for the clovers and chicory later on.

Think of it like planting a fresh salad bar for your animals: sweet grains, tender greens, and protein-rich legumes all in one spot. It’s safe and non-toxic, though if you’re grazing cattle, it’s smart to ease them into it slowly to avoid bloat (which is common with any rich legume pasture). Once it’s growing, don’t be surprised if your animals munch it down—this mix is just that tasty and nutritious.

How do I plant Big Game Forage Mix and when is the best time to do it?

Yes, planting Big Game Forage Mix is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require fancy equipment.

Start by getting your soil ready—clear out any grass or weeds and loosen the top few inches. You can lightly till or spray and mow existing growth. The key is a firm, weed-free seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact.

Then spread the seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep. They’re small, so don’t bury them too much. If you’re broadcasting by hand or with a spreader, it helps to lightly drag or roll the soil afterward to press the seeds in. That step improves germination.

Timing matters too. You’ve got two main planting windows:

Spring (March to May) is great in northern or cooler areas.

Late summer to early fall (August to October) works well just about everywhere, especially in the South. Just be sure to plant early enough—at least 6–8 weeks before the first hard frost—so the young plants get established before winter.

Avoid planting in midsummer heat—young seedlings don’t like dry, scorching conditions. And if you’re in a mild-winter area (like Zone 8 or warmer), fall planting can give you lush forage all winter long.

Bonus tip: For thickening up an existing pasture, try frost-seeding the clover and chicory in late winter. Just spread the seed on frozen ground and let nature pull it in as the soil thaws.

Overall, this mix is pretty forgiving. As long as you plant in cooler, moist conditions, you’ll get great results.

Does this mix require a lot of water or irrigation? How well does it handle drought?

Yes, the mix needs moisture early on—but once it’s established, it’s pretty drought-tough.

Like any new planting, your seeds will need regular moisture to sprout and take root. That means timing your planting around expected rainfall or watering a few times a week for the first few weeks. After that, though, the mix becomes surprisingly self-sufficient.

It’s made up mostly of cool-season forages—like clover, alfalfa, and chicory—that are known for their deep roots and natural drought tolerance. Alfalfa, for example, can dig deep into the soil for moisture and go dormant during dry spells, then bounce back fast when rain returns. Chicory is another tough one—it holds up well in dry conditions where other grasses might fail.

So if you’re in an area that sees occasional droughts or dry weeks, this mix won’t just wither away. It might slow down during really dry periods, but once rain comes back, so will the growth. No need to baby it like a lawn.

The key is planting it at a time when you’ll get some rain to help it establish. After that, it typically survives just fine on natural rainfall. Just avoid grazing too hard during droughts so the plants aren’t stressed while recovering.

How should I manage the pasture after planting – any special grazing or mowing tips?

Yes, with a little care, your forage plot can stay productive for years.

You don’t need to be a pro to manage it well—just follow a few key tips:

Wait before grazing: Don’t let animals on it right away. Give it about 8–10 weeks after planting to grow strong roots. That early patience pays off with a healthier stance long-term.

Rotate when you can: Instead of grazing the same spot nonstop, let it rest between grazings—ideally for 3–4 weeks. Even if you don’t have a formal rotation setup, just moving animals off for a while helps plants like chicory and clover recover and stay vigorous.

Don’t graze too short: Try to leave at least 2–3 inches of growth behind. If animals nibble it down to the dirt repeatedly, perennials like alfalfa and chicory won’t bounce back as well.

Mow if needed: If it gets too tall or weedy, mowing to 4–6 inches will keep it tidy and encourage fresh, leafy growth. This is especially helpful if you don’t have enough animals to keep it grazed evenly.

Fertilize smartly: The clovers and peas make their nitrogen, so you probably don’t need to add any. But a soil test can tell you if you need lime or phosphorus/potassium to keep the plot thriving. A little boost can make a big difference.

Rest before winter: In fall, avoid heavy grazing right before winter hits. Leaving some leafy growth helps the plants store energy to survive the cold and come back strong in spring.

With basic care like this, many folks get 3–5 good years from a single planting. Just avoid the two big mistakes—overgrazing and completely ignoring it—and you’ll have a productive, low-maintenance pasture season after season.

Can I use this mix for a lawn or turf area? I want low maintenance ground cover instead of traditional grass.

Yes, you can use Big Game Forage Mix as a lawn—but expect a more natural, meadow-like look.

This mix isn’t going to give you a short, carpet-like lawn like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue. Instead, it creates a green, low-maintenance groundcover with taller, more diverse plants. Think of it as a “bee lawn” or a pollinator-friendly pasture, not a golf course.

The white clover stays fairly low (about 4–8 inches) and holds up well to occasional mowing. That’s what will give you most of the groundcover and those small white blooms bees love. Chicory and alfalfa will try to grow taller and bloom unless mowed a few times a year. The oats and peas grow fast, hit 2–3 feet, then die back—so you might see some patchiness early on, but the perennials underneath will take over as the season goes on.

If you don’t mind a wilder, flower-filled look and want a yard that’s low maintenance and drought-tolerant, this is a great choice. You’ll mow less (maybe once a month or just when it gets too tall), and you won’t need to fertilize—it largely takes care of itself.

For a more polished look, you can even mix in some fine fescue or turfgrass. The clover blends well and will still provide green cover and pollinator value. So yes, it can work as a lawn—just know it’ll be a bit more “cottage meadow” than “suburban turf.”