best food for Deer?

[kc]

At the farm I hunt we go through clover as fast as we plant it, Is there a food plot to
help in groth in body and antler size? and to give then energy to survive the harsh winters.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Clover and winter wheat is what we usually plant they eat it crazy fast as well. If it is legal use feeders with either shelled corn or protein pellets, we have to about every yr because of sever droughts past few yrs we cant keep our plots growing, by the end of Aug and early Sept they've dug them up by the roots. I've tried a few of the blends as well, best thing I've found is a mix of clover, oats and turnips. They all grow at different rates and have the goodies the deer need to stay healthy. In ky we can only feed corn or protein about a month before bow season which is Aug and a month after around 1st of Feb. Check with your local biologist and agriculture guys, they'll be able to give you better guidance for what the deer actually need at various times of the yr. And what will grow best, there are some that will grow great, some decent and some not at all depending on soil quality. We get soil samples every yr, using a ph tester from the local garden supply place and we fertilize accordingly. We've tried several "test" packs from different companies having been overly impressed with any for the price. We can buy 100lb of all the seed we mix together for around the price 100lb of premixed stuff costs.

 

[bamadawg2009]

Until you said you wanted them to survive I was going to say LEAD was the best deer food. If you can get a hold of themn try some austrian winter peas, I dont know about deer up North but deer down here in the South love them. Shelled Corn is a good feed but not very high in protien I think somewhere around 7% Winter peas are close 21% if recall and will keep growing after the deer eat the leaves off the vine. Also if you have access to the land all year try to plant spring and summer crops to get the weight on the deer before the winter starts.

 

[royinidaho]

I'm experimenting with Sainfoin for the first time this year. Those that have planted it in strips w/in alfalfa show elk and deer walk through the alfalfa to get to the sainfoin.

 

[kc]

Thanks for all of you input guys, we are about to start the plow on a new 40
but here in Michigan its been raining constant and we need it.
the Deer had a great winter here, never had to scratch ground for food.

 

[lloydsmale]

alot of the planters around here prefer rape.

 

[royinidaho]

alot of the planters around here prefer rape.

Wow! That's really rude!!!

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

alot of the planters around here prefer rape.

I could say something......

 

[bamadawg2009]

alot of the planters around here prefer rape.

I get a blend sometimes with rape in it but the deer usually wont eat it until it has the first hard frost on it. I hear it gets the sugar content then, so its not a early season food if thats the only thing your gonna plant. I have noticed the most pressure on the rape after deer season is usually over in our part of the world, but it might be just fine for upstate deer. I have tried it and it does have a very sweet flavor to it once it matures just FYI, and im sure deers taste buds are better than mine.

 

[midwesthunter]

One thing that's not been asked is how big of a plot are you planting? My property in IN has huge deer numbers 45-50 per sq mi. Anything under a acre plot and its done before it starts. That said IMO you need more then one type of food source. I have been managing properties in MI and IN for over 10 years and you can really benefit from a variety of food. Depending on property I plant clover/chicory beans/peas and turnips/beets along with other grains like oats sunflowers and various grasses.

 

[Richard Owl Mirror]

I am new to hunting, in fact this year will be my first year. (I'm 55)

Anyways, after reading this entire thread, I see NO mention regarding: "Antler growth depends on food sources".

Everyone knows Deer must eat and, they will take advantage of what is available yet, I haven't read anywhere if there are particular food sources which are better for Antler growth.

I have read that Bucks need a steady diet of protein and phosphorus during antler growth. In Montana, Wheat is the state's leading crop. Barley and hay are important crops as are beans, potatoes and sugar beets.

While the beans & sugar beets might provide a good crop source, one would need to either own the private land, get permission to hunt or for most of us, go hunting in the more wild areas of the State & National Forests.

Would it be easier to supply Mineral Blocks near water sources which would provide an increased level of phosphorus in the areas where you will be hunting? Start setting them out in June through August ?
Would a product such as: Pro-Phos 12 Block @ Bartlett Coop be a better solution, given that one can not plant food plots on Federal lands? A 40/lbs per unit costs $12.60 up to $630/ton.

What do you think?
Could this help improve chances of Bucks growing larger antlers?

 

[midwesthunter]

I am new to hunting, in fact this year will be my first year. (I'm 55)

Anyways, after reading this entire thread, I see NO mention regarding: "Antler growth depends on food sources".

Everyone knows Deer must eat and, they will take advantage of what is available yet, I haven't read anywhere if there are particular food sources which are better for Antler growth.

I have read that Bucks need a steady diet of protein and phosphorus during antler growth. In Montana, Wheat is the state's leading crop. Barley and hay are important crops as are beans, potatoes and sugar beets.

While the beans & sugar beets might provide a good crop source, one would need to either own the private land, get permission to hunt or for most of us, go hunting in the more wild areas of the State & National Forests.

Would it be easier to supply Mineral Blocks near water sources which would provide an increased level of phosphorus in the areas where you will be hunting? Start setting them out in June through August ?
Would a product such as: Pro-Phos 12 Block @ Bartlett Coop be a better solution, given that one can not plant food plots on Federal lands? A 40/lbs per unit costs $12.60 up to $630/ton.

What do you think?
Could this help improve chances of Bucks growing larger antlers?

If you want to aid in antler growth, look at antler kings deer mineral or whitetail institutes 30-06 mineral, I have used both for years and prefer the antler king. I can honestly say it has helped my deer, more mass bigger racks at younger age.

 

[Richard Owl Mirror]

If you want to aid in antler growth, look at antler kings deer mineral or whitetail institutes 30-06 mineral, I have used both for years and prefer the antler king. I can honestly say it has helped my deer, more mass bigger racks at younger age.

Well I guess my question wasn't all that off the mark ;>}
I had no idea there are products specifically for that use.
Antler King ® Online

Would you recommend Antler King ® Trophy Deer Mineral (best used when poured on the ground near a deer trail) over the Antler King ® Hi Protein Big Buck Block ?

I live nearest to the Custer National Forest but the Gallatin National Forest is within driving distance. I am still unsure where my friends will be hunting as most of them either own or know people with huge land tracts in the area.
I know for a fact, right now I can drive about 10 miles to view a herd of Elk numbering about 100. Where they will be come hunting season, I don't know, YET.

 

[stevenjackson]

I'm experimenting with Sainfoin for the first time this year. Those that have planted it in strips w/in alfalfa show elk and deer walk through the alfalfa to get to the sainfoin.

i'd like to know how that works out for ya