(ARA) - Fall is just around the corner and winter isn't far behind. Soon the smell of gun powder will fill the air for those avid hunters. You may have started maintaining your guns, put new air fresheners in the hunting shack and possibly even built some deer stands. Have you thought about maintaining or planting your food plots yet?

Food plots require some thorough planning well before breaking ground and there are a few basic things to consider such as, what to plant, and the equipment you are going to use to get the job done effectively.

You may want the whitetail deer in your area to produce a trophy rack, If you aren't the hunting type, maybe you want a backyard food plot to bring various wildlife to your picture window, or to maintain healthy growth of all wildlife in your area. Whatever your reasons, here are some suggestions for a plentiful food plot.

Types of Food Plots

Planted in a fall or winter plot, turnips, chicory, rapeseed, winter peas, King annual ryegrass and some clovers usually grow best when planted in August. Most animals such as turkeys, grouse, deer and rabbits will find the early sprouting clover the tastiest. All of these forms of seeds may be available through your local hunting association. Mark Johnson from the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) says they sell a Wildlife Blend, Clover Blend, Annual Blend and a Fall Power Pack to cover your whole growing season.

How to Start

Once you've decided what to plant, you are going to need some machinery to till the earth. If a tractor is too big for you or your land, have you thought about using your ATV? Arctic Cat ATV's has introduced a new line of food plot preparation equipment for their ATV's called the SpeedPoint System.

"Our system utilizes an easy-access three point attachment on the ATV's 2" receiver hitch, so you can change from a Tandem Disc to a Cultivator, moldboard plow or drag harrow in less than a minute," says Jeff Lane of Arctic Cat's Accessory Group. Lane goes on to say, "I'm an avid hunter and repeatedly 'Wow' on-lookers who can't believe how this small equipment is so effective in turning over the land. The SpeedPoint System adds a whole new fun factor for playing in the dirt."

Whether your idea of fun is bringing in a trophy buck, or taking pictures of the wildlife in your backyard, planting a late season food plot will make all the difference. For more information on Arctic Cat SpeedPoint System and accessories, log on to www.arcticcat.com or visit your local Arctic Cat dealer.