Vassar food plot company growing under deer hunting rule changes – Bay City Times – MLive.com

Posted by Mike Spencer | The Bay City Times

VASSAR – Matt Shelson’s new business on M-15 just south of town got an unexpected boost this fall – a ban on deer bait.

That’s because the 29-year-old Tuscola County businessman has been selling food plots, a quick remedy that will help hunters attract their game.

Of the four products Monster Plots has created, Magic Carpet may become the best seller in light of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources decision to ban baiting in the Lower Peninsula because a captive Kent County deer was found to have chronic wasting disease.

Magic Carpet is a food plot in a box. It’s easy to install, no intense preparations or maintenance and it’s designed to attract deer within three days, Shelson says.

“The economy didn’t need this hit, especially the vendors at gas stations,” Shelson said. “But there’s alternatives to baiting.

“Magic Carpet is an answer. In eight minutes, you’re done. You have a food plot. And in three days, it’s an inch and a half to two inches tall.”

Shelson, with help from plant manager and friend Derek Flikkie, 25, of Kingston, started selling food plots a year and a half ago. First it was out of a garage and then a sun porch. They moved their business to the industrial park in town before relocating three months ago on M-15.

Monster Plots currently offer three other products, Monster Maker, Buck Slam and Magic Beans.

But it’s the Magic Carpet and Monster Maker that can help a hunter go without bait for the archery (Oct. 1) or firearms season (Nov. 15).

“The nice thing about our product is when I formulated the seeds – a trick to the trade I learned – it creates an aroma which is an attractant,” said Shelson, a Caro native and former agronomist consultant. “And if there are deer down wind, they are there.”

Gander Mountain store manager Ken Morrison and operations manager Derek Holmes have used both the Monster Maker and Magic Carpet in hunting areas near the Lansing store.

“They had never had bucks before and Ken and Derek were excited as all get-out,” Shelson said. “In two weeks, they’ve got buck pictures on their trail cam.”

“It’s pretty phenomenal,” Holmes said. “After eight or nine days we had two inches of growth. Now it’s running waist-high.”

Holmes said Monster Plots products have a future in this state.

“I think it’s a great idea, especially considering the current state of affairs and the baiting ban,” Holmes said. “Personally, I think it’s better than bait, especially from a nutrition standpoint.”

The Monster Plots products are available at monsterplots.com, in the Saginaw Gander Mountain store, Frank’s Great Outdoors in Linwood and Big Acre in Caro. They can also be ordered through any Gander Mountain store or by calling (989) 823-3363 or 823-3382

Vassar food plot company growing under deer hunting rule changes – Bay City Times – MLive.com.