This is a simple question that I cannot find the answer to on the internet. So, I'm going straight to the experts on THF.
I planted in mid september. They are just starting to have a few purple flowers scatted. How long until I can
actually see a pea pod? This is the first year that the deer have not eaten them to the ground, so I have never
had them grow this long before.

Depends on plant health, weather conditions, when the blooms get pollinated & when the flower drops, difficult to give a semi accurate answer.
After the flowers drop you should see a pod start forming in 3 - 10 days. Depending on the variables 10 - 21 more days to full maturity.

They have the highest ' N ' / green manure soil improvement value just at the flowering stage.

Thank you very much.

I wish I could plant them. Without exception, the hogs have always found them before they ever had a chance to grow.

Me too Dan. My small 133 acre place is butt deep on hogs. Very few people around me have still have cows so not even much wheat planted. When I have planted, the hogs get to it. Hunt and/or trap them? Good luck! They breed too quickly and are smarter than I am.