What's the best food plot for deer?

Typical cereals planted for deer would include oats, wheat, triticale and rye. When native green forage becomes less available from fall through spring, these crops will attract large numbers of deer and provide valuable nutrition to help them through this difficult period.

What is the best deer food plot mix?

What is the best thing to plant to attract deer?

Plants that typically attract deer include red clover, chicory, and orchard grass. Certain high-protein crops, such as peas, soybeans, turnips, alfalfa, sorghum, kale, or corn, are also attractants that the animals enjoy feeding on.

What is the number one food plot for deer?

Clover such as Imperial Whitetail Clover is probably the single best food plot seed, but there are many others that serve important roles for the food plotter. Brassicas are a strong second choice, such as Plant Biologic's Maximum.

What is the easiest deer food plot to grow?

Red clover is the Easiest Food Plot for Deer. Spread the seed and spray the grasses to act as a mulch for the clover, or spray in the fall and frost seed in late winter right on top of the snow. The freeze thaw patterns of spring creates cracks the seed falls into to germinate.

The Best Thing to Plant in Deer Food Plots

How many deer will a 1 acre food plot support?

Both Fort Perry and Gary Schwarz's El Tecomate support 3.5 deer per acre of food plot, but both programs intensively farm and include a supplemental “safety net.” A reasonable across-the-board rule of thumb with a bit of a cushion is, an acre of food plot will support about three deer.

Is clover good for deer?

Clover is relatively easy to grow, is loaded with nutrition, and whitetails simply love it. A good clover plot will produce 2 to 4 tons (per acre) of easily digestible plant matter and give your whitetails a shot in the arm when it comes to nutrition.

Which clover Do deer prefer?

Because Imperial Whitetail Clover contains the only clover genetically designed for whitetail deer. Imperial Whitetail Clover has an extremely high protein content – critical for antler, muscle and bone growth and thrives in extreme cold as well as warm, dry climates.

What grain do deer like best?

Deer feed mixes are usually a mix of alfalfa, oats, soybeans, molasses and several vitamins and minerals. This type of food is easiest for deer to digest, which is what makes it ideal for supplemental feeding.

What is the best no-till food plot seed?

“But buckwheat is the only one I've found that allows you to create really good no-till beans plots. Once you have 50-percent soil exposure (and assuming there's enough time), you can simply broadcast 50 pounds per acre of buckwheat right on the ground with a hand spreader.

What is the cheapest thing to feed deer?

An inexpensive way to feed deer is with corn. Deer love corn and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. That being said, corn is not an excellent source of protein, which is essential for antler growth and the nursing of fawns.

What crop Do deer like the most?

Deer love soybeans, but no single crop can meet all of a deer's year-round needs.

Are salt licks good for deer?

All hooved mammals love salt, so licks made only of salt do a fine job of attracting deer. Licks with added flavors, minerals and nutrients can be even better, especially if you find one the deer in your area really love.

Is red clover good for deer?

Red clover is a high quality, productive and palatable cool-season forage for deer and other wildlife species including turkey and rabbit.

What is the best thing to plant for deer antler growth?

In addition to clover, crops like soybeans, lablab, and buckwheat are fantastic spring forages for deer. Deer love soybeans in fall, but they relish the green forbs that are high in protein during spring. Alfalfa would be a great choice—especially in cooler climes—if it weren't so labor intensive.

Is corn bad for deer in winter?

Although corn has poor protein, it has high carbohydrates. Whether it's planted in a food plot, or fed at a feeding site, corn can be a great benefit to whitetails during winter. Most deer managers are more than willing to plant their plots in the spring and summer.

Is whole corn or cracked corn better for deer?

Registered. The cracked corn will be just fine. I saw a deer nibble on a turd once so that'll be an upgrade.

Is Whole corn good for deer?

Many articles, presentations, and campfire conversations about deer nutrition state emphatically that corn is not good for deer. In a general sense, this is true because corn is low in protein (9%), has a poor mineral profile, and can cause digestive upset and metabolic problems.

Is red or white clover better for food plots?

Our research found that red clover consistently rated very high compared to other deer forages – including cereal grains, annual and perennial clovers, brassicas, alfalfa, and others – with regard to many of the important features we looked at.

What clover has the highest protein?

White clover contains a higher protein concentration than grass, and the protein seems to be less digestible in the rumen than grass protein. White clover contains a higher amount of minerals than grass in general but concentrations of specific minerals are affected by a number of factors.

When should I plant clover for deer?

The best time to plant clover is in Spring or late Summer/early Fall.

Should I mow my clover food plot?

“It's a myth that you have to mow in order to have a nutritious clover plot,” said Craig. “That's just wrong. If the clover is doing well in May and June and deer are eating it, let them eat it. Don't mow it!

Is alfalfa good for deer?

In truth, alfalfa has been used as a forage for deer, especially during the summer months. It is a highly digestible fiber and contains a tremendous amount of fiber, making them palatable for deer.

What can you plant in the woods to attract deer?

Plant a seed blend that thrives with just a small amount of sunlight, such as Whitetail Institute's Secret Spot or Biologic's Hot Spot. Make sure the mix includes plants such as crimson clover, arrowleaf clover, brassicas, wheat, oats, buckwheat, and rye.