This is my third year of feeding protein. They are eating more now, than ever, even with all the growth from the monsoons.

Same here. They are eating about 200-250 lbs every 2 weeks from my protein feeder.

I am going thru about 600 lbs of feed every 17 to 21 days before the rains in the last week. Will see if it effects consumption like it has the last 3 yrs. I am also seeing a few persimmons turning so that will effect consumption for me as much or more than the rain. Food plots are just about grazed out also now. Overall the consumption is about what it has been the last 3 yrs now for this time of the year.

stx--im not sure I follow you-when you said the consumption is the same as the last 3 years is that given the same rainfall or different? Just trying to learn from you.

I’m only running one protein feeder currently but I’m going through 600lbs in under a month starting the beginning of June. Deer are sitting there for hours at a time at night.

My thought process was for the next red highlighted sentence to state why the deer backed off.... as I was typing that first sentence. For some reason I just never typed that red highlighted sentence. I added the other 2 to clarify my added portion. I just forgot to add that sentence and just went on with the next thought about persimmons(last year and this year) as I typed. Heck to get old. I need to reread what I type before I post a reply.

Thanks for clarifying stx. I actually figured maybe it made sense the way you posted it but I too am old as well as tired tonight and figured I just wasn't clicking right.

We feed a lot of protein and cottonseed each year and to date we are at about the same consumption we were last year at this time. Cost for our cottonseed increased from $160 a ton last year to $220 a ton. I wonder what bulk corn cost will be come Sept/October?

The last 2 weeks, my deer have slowed down on the protien feed. I keep 2 corn feeders full year round, and I have one fenced with hog panels to keep the hogs out, and that's the one I have a protien feeder in. Since January, they were eating 200 lbs every 10 days. I checked it last evening and it is still half full, two weeks now. I feed Chain reaction 20% pellets, from Red Chain.

When do you cut off the cotton seed? Do you worry about sterility issues?

Feb 1st I was dropping 5 pounds of protein per day from my timed Lamco with a steady increase every two months there after. Last time out I was set at 20 pounds per day (600 lbs per month) and they were still consuming every pellet.

When I return next weekend game cameras should confirm the highest protein consumption so far this year. Maybe not the highest consumption, but rather the highest number of deer using the feeder at once and how long it takes to eat 20 pounds. July & August have been the heaviest protein months the past 5 years on this ranch

Went to the lease last Friday and my 400lb protein feeder was empty. It was almost full just 3 weeks before. Haven't checked the pics yet but my sd card wad full!

I feed free choice protein at 5 hog panel protected feed stations. Consumption is down at least a third this year. The continuous rain has really made a huge difference. The deer have begun to hit the protein harder the last month to 6 weeks, but I’m still not having to fill every two weeks as I did last summer when it was dry. It’s been about every 3 weeks.

So what kinds do you guys feed??

L&E 20%

Gorman Milling’s Red Chain 17% the ChainReaction formula

What are you paying for protein

10.75 per 50 lb bag. 20% chain reaction, at red chain in Gorman.

Our consumption steadily increases, seems like the more we feed the more they consume. Started out at 4 tons per year in 2008 now up to 15+ tons a year.

We're dry as a popcorn fart in NE Webb Co. Last year, we fed 36 tons on 1,800 acres. This year we're already at 48 tons and just ordered another 14. L&E 20%

Im in Live Oak county which isn't any wetter than where you are, we're on about 2000 acres but only have 4 one ton protein feeders. Probably could feed more but we do lots of persimmon, lazy daisy, mesquite beans, and prickly pair.

WOW