West Feed Deer Pellet

Has anyone had experience with West Feeds 20% pellet? The local feed store has it for a lot less than other 20% feeds.

We used it this past deer season with good results. I buy it in West. 20% was $8.20 per 50 lbs. We also use their "Buck Blend" which is 50/50 mix of corn and 16% protein. It was $7.70 per 50 lbs.

PS If you buy it in West they close at noon on Saturdays.

I’m Thinking about trying it out this year as well because our local feed store carries it.
Were you feeding another brand prior to the West brand?

I've used it with good results.

We used WEST brand 20% protein last year and WILL NOT be using it again. Have fed Record Rack for the 5 years before with great results. After feeding WEST for 1 year, I will NEVER feed it again. Disappointed to say the least.

This was in Gillespie County

What was the disappointment? Non-use by the deer or something else??

I would also like to know. Just started a program and the deer have taken to it quite well. Were the results not what you were wanting?

I'm using it. My deer seem to enjoy it, I went through about 300 pounds in a week. I cant speak for actual results, other than they are eating it like its going out of style. I am hoping they'll slow down on it once it greens up. I don't know that I can afford 300 pounds a week.

Interested to hear also. Protein is a long term game, very little will be gained or lost in the short run.

We have fed protein on this combined 2500 acres for the last 12 years. Have seen the property go through good and bad years with drought and other conditions. We all know last year seemed to be a good year for natural forage in most parts of the state. We fed roughly 7500 lbs each year. Last year with WEST FEED it was no different in terms of amount fed and consumption rate. The deer transitioned to it quickly and I was excited to see the results.

With Record Rack we consistently saw gains in tine length and mass. Every year seemed to be getting better. The age class matured, we were seeing more of the 4-5 yr old bucks on property. Body size of both bucks and does increased. Overall the deer population on the ranch seemed to be improving in all areas. (body size, health, antler size)

We keep a TOP 10 board for lease record on the highest scoring bucks, along with scoring all bucks shot in the lease book.
This just gives a reference when trying to analyze or look back at growth and age structure.

Last year with WEST FEED the consumption rate was high, 70% percent of pictures we had showed 4-5 bucks on feeders at 1 time at all hours of the day. We just didn't see any gain. Not that it didn't Help, maybe we have reached a plateau for our area. I will try and dig through some of my old photos. There just seemed to be no gains in our 3-4 year old bucks. It's like they through the exact same rack with little to no gain in tine length and mass. Deer that where 4-5 that should have turned out solid this year, ended up disappointing. These were deer that I had pics and video of over the last 3 years. 2 where shot opening wknd and came in just above avg for the lease score and 10 inches from making the Board.

This just seemed like an underachieving year for our place. Maybe I was a little strong in my first post, WEST is probably a good feed. You cant go wrong by giving the deer additional protein and nutrients. 1 year is quick to judge but after consistent results with another brand, it was a regret all season while sitting in the stand. We

This guy seemed to like it. Low fence, Hill County.

Nice deer. I have a place on the other side of Whitney

Did you factor in other possible habitat changes? Such as natural browse and forage, access to water, rainfall, etc?

I sure did, There are 2 creeks on property that keep water year round. Both protein feeders sit about 150 yards from creek. Natural browse had good conditions last year and ridiculous crop of acorns. Overall deer were very healthy and as whole bucks looked good, but had more deer in the 120-130 range that should have made a jump and didn't. Was pleased to see the overall MASS on our bucks was better than usual. All things considered it def. was not a bad year. Just disappointed in results as we knew our pop. of 3-4 yr old bucks was high and were expecting to see a good jump. Just didn't happen for us on WEST feed.

as JM posted his deer seemed to like it.

Guess I'll just have to post pics from this season

Not trying to start anything, but 16% mixed 50-50 with corn is not going to do much for your deer unless you have an outstanding supply of natural groceries for them.

Right now, with the heat, unless you have had really good rains, you can expect your natural food sources to be steadily losing nutritional value until about Oct/Nov when it all becomes basically fiber.

Check the labels on the bags, whatever you are using vs big name brand stuff. The key to growth is as much (if not more so) in the mineral's percentages in the formula as it is in the percentage of protein.