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Improving feed options #5709270 04/21/15 01:19 AM
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I just got on a new lease and want to feed something with a little better nutrition and attraction than just corn. I don't think I can afford getting a free-choice protein feeder until maybe next January (my "banker" is already groaning about the costs of moving leases). What would y'all recommend I feed to improve both attraction and hopefully nutrition versus straight corn? I am using spin feeders but would be open to adding blocks or licks, if needed. I've thought about throwing a corn/roasted soybean mix, but have heard a lot of folks say that their deer didn't touch the soybeans. Thoughts on that or another type of feed? Thanks

Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5709287 04/21/15 01:29 AM
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Size of the place and density of deer?


Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5709311 04/21/15 01:39 AM
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Not much will top corn as an attractant. I have seen protein work great as an early season attractant when fed year round also. You might consider a timered trough style proteim feeder instead of free choice. That way you can mix corn with it during the late summer and into deer season.


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Re: Improving feed options [Re: aeb] #5709319 04/21/15 01:48 AM
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Originally Posted By: aeb
Size of the place and density of deer?


Are you in Stephens County Sir, would a food plot be a option and how about cattle access


Re: Improving feed options [Re: SniperRAB] #5709439 04/21/15 03:01 AM
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cheers HF food plot flag



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Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5709477 04/21/15 03:24 AM
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My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Not sure on density, but I don't think it'll be that high. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle.

Last edited by rattler03; 04/21/15 03:28 AM.
Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5709485 04/21/15 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted By: rattler03
My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle.

Does the owner have any farming equipment to plant a fall food plot(s)? Does he have any old fields or open areas? If so you might try to work a deal with him to plant wheat and/or oats in a large plot or couple of plots that you can fence with an electric fence then let him graze it with his cattle after the season is over. You buy the seed and let him plant it.


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Re: Improving feed options [Re: stxranchman] #5709502 04/21/15 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Originally Posted By: rattler03
My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle.

Does the owner have any farming equipment to plant a fall food plot(s)? Does he have any old fields or open areas? If so you might try to work a deal with him to plant wheat and/or oats in a large plot or couple of plots that you can fence with an electric fence then let him graze it with his cattle after the season is over. You buy the seed and let him plant it.


I've yet to meet the owner, so far I've only dealt with the lease manager. There aren't any fields on the property, but there are several spots that are open enough for a food plot with minimal clearing needed. I know the landowner owns quite a bit of land in the area, in addition to ours, so he may have equipment on another tract. I've thought about doing something like that before and will probably look into it when I get the chance.

Does anybody have any suggestions other than a food plot in case this isn't an option for me?

Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5709518 04/21/15 04:10 AM
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Originally Posted By: rattler03
My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Not sure on density, but I don't think it'll be that high. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle.

As far as mineral blocks, the deer come inta the $3.99 acorn, apple, & corn flavored bricks they sell at walmart. Not sure how nutrissious value is... Best Wishes on lease flag



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Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5710339 04/21/15 07:18 PM
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what about converting a barrel spincast feeder to protein? There are bolt on protein down tube & heads that can be put in place of the spinner box.


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Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5710631 04/21/15 11:52 PM
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On a budget, sounds like corn is your only viable option for now. Later on in the summer, if everything dries out like it normally does and you have hog or cattle panel around your feeder, deer love nice green alfalfa wink


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Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5710656 04/22/15 12:08 AM
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I started feeding Record Rack right after Deer season. It's like corn but has a strong berry type smelling thick coating on each kernel. The bags only weigh 40 lbs but have more volume than a 50 lb bag of corn. 4 bags will almost top off a 55 gallon barrel. By the pallet, I believe it was around $12 a bag. As far as how well it works ? We'll see.



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Re: Improving feed options [Re: Big Tony] #5710692 04/22/15 12:27 AM
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realistically if you feed anything but corn to do any good you have to go all in - protein feeders (at lease one every 400-500 acres) or full blown food plots (lots of labor involved plus with cattle you have to fence it off). Corn will attract them but protein, cottonseed, or food plots will grow them).


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Re: Improving feed options [Re: rattler03] #5710965 04/22/15 03:35 AM
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Can someone elaborate on feeding cottonseed? How do you feed it? How much do you need to feed to make a difference? How much can you feed at a time/how often would you have to replace it with about a deer per 30 acre density and fair to good forage? Where can you get it and how much do you have to buy at a time?

What about a roasted soybeans/corn mix from a spin feeder? Is that even worth trying?

Wow, that's a lot of questions. Thanks for the advice, folks.

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