First time supplementing with protein/food plot.

My brother and I want to supplement our lease with protein now that the rut is over but we have never done this so I was hoping some of you who do supplement with protein could help. We have 100 acres and have caught on camera about 7 to 8 bucks this passed season (took out 2) and about 3 Does. How much protein would y'all recommend for this setup? Also what would the cost be roughly?

One, 500lb. protein feeder and a 3-5 acre plot of oats, chicory, clover should get you through a season or close to it with that volume of animals.

You can get a good 400lb free-choice protein feeder for $300. How long it lasts between fillings will depend on deer density around you.

As to the plot, agree with DQ. A 4 or 5 acre plot would do it. At this point I'd plan on a spring/summer mix.

Both will help you hold those better bucks in your area through the off season, and give them a reason to return come next season.

When you get around to planting a food plot in the fall, I would recommend this per acre that you plant, I would throw out 100 lbs of oats. They grow well with no maintenance at all. Would do better with fertilizer, 13-13-13 also at 100 lbs per acre, but will grow without any. Will come up 10 days after first rain. Will lay in the ground until the first rain with no problem. However, with oats or anything that you plant you should cover them up. oats need to be 1/4 - 1/2 inch under the ground. A easy way to cover them after you till and broadcast the seed is to simply drive over the plot with your truck pulling a 6"X 6" timber behind you. It will move enough dirt to take care of what you need. But get it in the ground as soon as you can. On second thought, I would plant 150 lbs per acre if you are planting a small plot, it is going to get hammered by the deer, so over seed just a little no matter what you decide to plant. I am not a fan at all of the packaged ready made seed bags that you can buy. I don't think you get your money's worth at all with them.

I started protein on my place last spring. I put up a 1000lb protein feeder. You can go with a smaller one if you live close by so you can keep it filled. When I put it out nothing touched it for a couple of months, even with corn mixed in. One deer started hitting it and within days I got tons of pics of all my deer hitting it. At times it is hard to keep it full. I have since added another on my property. I haven't stopped filling it since I got it. I figure as long as they are eating it, I will fill it. As far as plots goes, I tried a couple of 3-4 acre plots of wheat on my place. It came up great after the rain but they deer have decimated it where you can't even tell it was planted. My property is not in what most would consider a high deer density area. I think I am better off adding protein than small food plots that don't last long with all the deer traffic. Best of luck to you, what ever you decide.

Feeders are most critical during the late fall and winter when browse is far less available and food plots grow less. They are also critical in the late winter when new antlers begin growing immediately after the old ones drop, and to strengthen pregnant does. Once the spring green up kicks in, feeder output can be reduced.

Your neighbors must have good habitat because two good bucks a year from 100 acres is roughly twice the sustainable output from that much land given it's 100% deer holding habitat.

Thank you all for your input we are gonna try protein right now.