Hope those deer are already adjusted to the spinners

Not worth it imo. I have killed some studs in big woods areas where there is no extra feeding and no agriculture. They will get what they need. Laying off the trigger on immature bucks is free and it IS worth it for growing big bucks. Also keeping idiot guests with no trigger control off your property helps.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, go to the local co-op or grain elevator and buy the catfish pellets. Waterproof and high protein, deer hammer them.

^^^ interesting Auburn17 - never heard that one

Yea - afraid of spooking deer teamduckdown - thinking about not converting till December - there will be a getting use to stage

I did not pull trigger on Clark lease last year and May hav few potential 130 on it - we will see. Should hav a stud n camden

What is TSI?

Timber stand improvements. Improving deer herds in the south is about vegetation management and trigger control, not feeding. The best thing you can do is fire up a chain saw and a drop torch.

Truth**

Here’s my thoughts on feeding for antler growth. You guys tell me what you think…

I read a couple of studies that were done on captive deer. 1 group of bucks was fed 8% protien. 1 group was fed 18% protien. At age 5 the 18%ers had 5-7 more inches of antler than the 8%ers. Keep in mind that these deer were captive and ate the feed everyday. It was their main source of food. Which is not typical with feeding free range bucks.

I read a couple of studies that showed in the southeast, coyotes typically kill up anywhere from 40-60% of the fawns in a deer herd every year.

So what would rather have? One 140” buck or two 135” bucks?

I say spend the money on trapping coyotes during fawning season instead of feeding protein. Granted, the deer will be healthier from the feeding, but I think the money is better utilized in increasing the population by protecting fawns.

Pwyse, I get that. Makes good sense. Of the 60%-40% that the coyotes don’t kill, Half or better of what’s left get killed by a bullet. That’s over the course of a year. That still leaves another 4 years to get killed by another bullet, car, coyote, or what ever. But you did pretty much answer my question. Gains are negligible at best in a free range situation. Can or does feeding high dollar feed help a free range herd? I don’t think it can hurt, but I don’t think it’s worth it. There are other conservation practices that are more helpful.

Those giving input do you feel the same way about summer plots?

I think in a large scale agricultural type setting it does make a difference. When the landscape is made up of majority ag fields and draws for timber, I think you could say that majority of the deers diet is from the ag. In Alabama that’s not the case. There’s plenty of native vegetation that puts out higher protein than what the deer can handle. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.. they are balanced eaters. Does summer plantings in Alabama hurt? Absolutely not. Any of it is an improvement. Is it worth the money? Probably not. You will get way more out of what Mbrock is telling you in regards to TSI. You’ll spend more in feeding the deer through protein pellets than summer plots.

Ant67, there are cases where summer planting high protein forage such as beans, peas, lab lab etc can have an impact over time, but the way I see most properties plant summer crops it’s nothing more than a waste of money. In areas of high deer densities they simply wipe out the crop before it has time to be any benefit, or they’re planted on such a small scale they’re not providing much in the way of additional nutrition over what native vegetation is already there. Large summer plots of several acres can be a big benefit. They provide protein during peak lactation and antler growth, and deer far prefer to browse than eat from a feeder.

I like having something for them in the summer, whether it be summer plots, or a spin feeder that drops a little corn everyday in a field. To me it keeps them comfortable using and coming to the fields. That’s why I do it. I’m keeping them local. Might be a little beneficial to the herd, but I think it’s minimal. I have a couple mineral licks. Not sure they do much either, but the deer use them. So that’s fine by me. I provide an environment that has what they need, and keeps them close.

Planted probably 3.5 to maybe 4 acres of corn on my 104 acres and it did make a difference. Yes they ate it up before October, but it kept them in the vicinity. I saw more bucks than I ever have

I plant close to 11 acres total for summer and winter food plots on 48 acres and one spinner feeder on my family land. Also plant close to the same amount spread over 11 plots on a 309 acres lease with 2 spinner feeders but lease land has a lot more natural browse then the 48 acres family land does since the 309 is mainly planted pines and hardwoods. As far as antler growth I haven't seen much of a difference in size but the number of seen deer per sit on both properties have increased. We run trophy rocks and four65 loose mineral on both properties year round to pattern deer and get a ruff idea of what deer is hanging on the properties. I don't have enough acreage to feel like I can actually manage the deer herd for antler growth. But the way I see it if I can keep them happy with the acreage available to me with summer plots for deer and turkeys it seems to be holding more deer then not doing it. I'm not a biologist like Matt so your milage may vary. I'd take what Matt says with good-faith given his back ground and expertise

Wish I could get some clubs/hunters to understand this. A LOT of time/effort/money goes into spring planting 10-12, 1 acre or less sized plots. And it’s basically worthless to the end goal. Especially in areas where a bunch of thinned timber and fresh CC’e exist - and we are in year 5 of above average rainfall. Clubs could use that time and energy to trap / hire trapper / fertilize natural browse, etc.

There’s a hunter group think mentality that is hard to crack.

Yep. If you’ve got the acreage and resources then planting large summer forage crops can be a great thing. You can actually see measurable results over time. Do that with great habitat management and trigger restraint and you can produce deer that will surprise you. But, unfortunately most of the summer crops planted on leases and smaller properties are just as you described. They’re incredibly expensive to plant and maintain and make people feel good, but money could be spent on other management practices that are more beneficial. Guess it depends on the objectives. Expecting a jump in antler scores per age class and body weights shouldn’t be one of them though. It’s likely not going to happen on a small scale.

^^^
247 / MBrock - u guys see many people fertilize natural browse on thinned timber and if so u like that move ? Too late to do this year if u do like and which fertilizer ? If don’t like - ignore post

Triple 13 or 17 to hit different species. Look for some honeysuckle patches that have already started. I don’t think it’s too late right now if you could guarantee some rain soon after.

^^^^
Thanks - Will play it b ear - had 3 bags triple 13 left over - but that place has had a green explosion in thinned area