Deer Food Plots For Whitetails

Today's hunters take a much more aggressive approach to bagging a trophy Whitetail Deer. In the past, hunters left their local deer herd strength and availabilities up to mother nature. If the land yielded a nice herd with a choice buck or two, it was a great year and if she didn't, it was a poor year for hunting, end of story. In the last several years hunters have taken the initiative to manage their local herd themselves by planting deer food plots in an attempt to keep the herd healthy and create a natural hunting area. Many food plot owners tend to dwell on getting their seeds in the ground in the spring, which is natural, but one may consider some reasons for planting in the fall.

Springtime all over North America, like most parts of the world, is a time of great plant growth. Once spring breaks and the weather clears many different types of plant life springs up and the earth begins to turn green again. This time of year produces a multitude of protein loaded food for whitetail deer to eat. Actually, in my mind, most deer do not need additional food sources at this time of year. However, after the mid summer heat has passed many naturally found plant sources have died or lost their protein value, right at the most crucial time of year for the whitetail deer. This period is when deer are physically preparing for the winter months when they will be light on the proteins that their bodies desire and need. This time of year is also when the does have been bred and are carrying their young. If you can provide a protein supplement at this time of year you are achieving 3 huge goals. First, the general health of the herd will be improved and more deer will make it through the tough winter months. Secondly, the does will produce a richer milk for the fawns, which will also had value to the heard through the colder months. And lastly, the bucks of the herd will grow bigger racks. This is the most appealing attribute to the hunter.

Grant Higgins of Fresh Tracks Wild Life Management services believes that whitetails need a diet of 14 percent protein and that the optimum number is 16 percent. There are many different plants that will work in the fall, largely depending on ones location and the soil in that area. As always, have your soil tested for pH and other deficiencies by you local agriculture office. They will produce a report that will tell you what you need and what you don't. The are three main grains that most experts agree on for the fall and they are Oats, Rye and Wheat grains. These small grains will stay alive well into the colder months and provide nutrients that will be becoming scarce. Also, in the Northern states, that have big oak forest, acorns will be naturally produced, which deer will devour until they are gone. So, if you don't see much action in you food plot early on, check the woods for acorns. They are high in protein and are in the safest locations for a deer to feed in. Sometimes food plot owners think that their crops are growing slow or not flourishing. This may be do to the fact that you are in a high deer density area and the deer are eating your shots before they get a chance to grow. Also, southern food plot owner have to be leery of wild hogs disrupting their crops. Hogs can do a lot of damage to a food plot, so owners should do what they can to keep them out.

Most experts agree that, if you can swing it, multiple food plots are the way to go. Unfortunately, most people do not have 10 or 15 acres or so to play with. Additionally, they don't have the time money or resources to undertake such a bold adventure. So, if you are not one of the fortunate people that do, and can only muster one crop, please consider a fall food plot. Like I mentioned earlier, the spring and summer is a naturally plentiful time for food. So, some crop availability in late fall and early winter is a blessing.

I hope I that I have metaphorically planted some seeds in your mind regarding fall deer food plots. One thing that I didn't mention is that food plots can also benefit other wild life species, as well as deer. So, you are not just helping Whitetails but many other animals around where you live or hunt. Modern hunters are much more conscientious of habitat and more knowledgeable of the animals that they are pursuing. To me, it's a win win and will perpetuate the sport well into the future. In a more worldly view, wouldn't it be nice if we could do the same for all the people that struggle to make it year to year?


Whitetail Deer Food Plots
Cheap Deer Food Plots