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Feeding Protein After Rut
#6614055
01/03/17 03:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,290
BenBob
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,290 |
Our bucks seemed to be really hungry after the rut ended 2-3 weeks ago. We put out protein this past weekend to see if we might help them out. I was wondering if them coming to and eating protein right after the rut makes them discover the protein and use it any easier. Bucks are trying to run does off the corn right now, because they are really hungry. I think next year we are going to start feeding protein about the time the rut ends so it will be available to bucks and make it easier for them to put as much weight as quickly as possible. It also might improve the hunting and make it easier to introduce protein after the rut if the bucks are really hungry. I know some of you feed protein year round and was wondering if you see an increase in bucks at feeders after the rut?
Tired, Wired, and Uninspired
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6614100
01/03/17 04:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811 |
Absolutely. The late-winter post-rut is one of the peaks of protein consumption for us (other is late summer). Bucks have generally lost ~25% of their body weight at this point and the natural forage is often pretty poor. IMO, this time of the year is the most critical for protein. A buck is not going to throw his best antlers in Spring if he is in terrible body condition this time of year.
As an added bonus, it can keep your best bucks in your area. I've seen summer bachelor groups set up on a protein feeder multiple times. They remember where it is when the season rolls around and they split up too.
Last edited by TxAg; 01/03/17 04:15 PM.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6614255
01/03/17 05:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
This is the time they need food more than any imo... one of the biggest buck loss times of the year
Last edited by Navasot; 01/03/17 05:39 PM.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6614263
01/03/17 05:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,402
TooLow
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,402 |
We start feeding Protein every year in January!
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6614355
01/03/17 06:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9,776
mustafa
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9,776 |
going down this January to get it started
Team Barbacoa Pro Staff. Dallas Safari Club Life Member
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: mustafa]
#6614488
01/03/17 07:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 349
pmnitro
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 349 |
We have a 1200# and a 750# free choice protein feeder. We fill them up on the last hunt (this past wknd). Our place is small, 500 acres. Pastures north and west of us do the same. The feeders are worth the money / effort in my opinion. We could really see the difference in three years.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6614500
01/03/17 07:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549 |
Which is better for energy right now and fat content, protein or corn? I would think corn, no?
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6615187
01/04/17 02:11 AM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 175
XMTG
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 175 |
I will be firing up a protein feeder this weekend on my place.
James Ferguson Xtreme Measures Training Group xmtgllc.com
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: Navasot]
#6615207
01/04/17 02:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,041
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,041 |
This is the time they need food more than any imo... one of the biggest buck loss times of the year this - we start protein and cottonseed to rebuild their weight and increase survival post rut
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6615774
01/04/17 02:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,636
AdvTX
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,636 |
We have 8 spots and 4 of us have both corn and free choice protein feeders and without a doubt the spots with the protein feeders get twice as many deer. During the summer months it will last but right now I can't hardly keep my protein feeder full. I took this pic last Saturday
Bow Only
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: tlk]
#6615925
01/04/17 04:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 726
Sidebuster
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 726 |
Where can you buy cottonseed?
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6616050
01/04/17 05:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605
fouzman
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605 |
We're in late rut/post rut on our place, right now. All protein feeders were filled before we left ranch, yesterday. As stated above, this is the most critical time to provide supplemental feed. Free choice if you can afford it.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: Sidebuster]
#6616052
01/04/17 05:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605
fouzman
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605 |
Where can you buy cottonseed? Cotton gin or Co-Op. But it is very labor intensive to put out and keep out.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: fouzman]
#6616103
01/04/17 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 374
StephensCnty308
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 374 |
We're in late rut/post rut on our place, right now. All protein feeders were filled before we left ranch, yesterday. As stated above, this is the most critical time to provide supplemental feed. Free choice if you can afford it. Do you quit feeding protein at any point during the year? I'm about to start feeding protein and curious if I need to run it 365 days a year or mainly not to hunting season.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#6616125
01/04/17 06:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,041
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,041 |
We're in late rut/post rut on our place, right now. All protein feeders were filled before we left ranch, yesterday. As stated above, this is the most critical time to provide supplemental feed. Free choice if you can afford it. Do you quit feeding protein at any point during the year? I'm about to start feeding protein and curious if I need to run it 365 days a year or mainly not to hunting season. we stop protein and cottonseed end of Sept and resume mid January -
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: tlk]
#6616132
01/04/17 06:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605
fouzman
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605 |
We're in late rut/post rut on our place, right now. All protein feeders were filled before we left ranch, yesterday. As stated above, this is the most critical time to provide supplemental feed. Free choice if you can afford it. Do you quit feeding protein at any point during the year? I'm about to start feeding protein and curious if I need to run it 365 days a year or mainly not to hunting season. we stop protein and cottonseed end of Sept and resume mid January - We do basically the same unless the country is in really poor shape. Then we keep it going throughout the season.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: fouzman]
#6616144
01/04/17 06:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179
therancher
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179 |
My rut is still going in central, south and west Texas. I kept peanut hay out all winter. Does are doing well but bucks are still skinny.
Crotchety old bastidge
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6616274
01/04/17 07:29 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,166
westtexaswatkins
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,166 |
I started with my first protein feeder last march and haven't stopped filling it. I figure if they are still eating it I'm gonna keep filling it. I just added another protein feeder on my place a few weeks ago. I could definitely tell the increase of deer on my property after I added the first one. Hoping to do the same on the other side of my property with the other one.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6616276
01/04/17 07:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811 |
We feed protein year round. But, we don't hunt feeders. Consumption slows in Fall and Spring, and peaks post-rut and late summer.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6616284
01/04/17 07:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 466
ThreePeppers
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 466 |
I filled 3 55 gallon feeders on Sunday and I expect them all to be empty when I go back out in 2 weeks. Also turned the corn timer way down to try and encourage them to eat more protein.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6616851
01/05/17 12:49 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,336
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,336 |
I'm feeding rice bran all year. Its in a lot of the protein pellets. It has seemed to make a difference.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6617279
01/05/17 05:43 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
For those of you who have fed protein for a few years.....I have two questions:
Have you noticed an increase in antler size? How many acres per protein feeder do you have or what is the recommendation?
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: BenBob]
#6617312
01/05/17 06:17 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307
BowsnRods
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307 |
We also start in January with protein and feed free choice till September. To answer Doc Hortons question, yes we have noticed an increase in antler size and we have a protein feeder per 100 acres.
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Re: Feeding Protein After Rut
[Re: ThreePeppers]
#6617368
01/05/17 12:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
I filled 3 55 gallon feeders on Sunday and I expect them all to be empty when I go back out in 2 weeks. Also turned the corn timer way down to try and encourage them to eat more protein. Get you A Lamco timed feeder bud. I know it's not ideal, but you can ensure they'll have "something" to eat for 3 or 4 months and it'll pay for itself in no time with the fuel savings.
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