I'd like to hear what people think about feeding cottonseed to deer. What have been your results and how has effected protein pellet consumption if both are used.

I have been feeding cottonseed for deer the last ten years or so. I think it works very well. I also feed protein. There are certain times of the year when they will favor one over the other. Recently they have been hammering the cottonseed and barely touching the protein. I do cut the cottonseed off and have just put out the last of it about a week ago.

The main benefit I see to feeding cottonseed is right after the rut. Cottonseed quickly puts the weight back on the bucks. I believe that it is very important to get the weights up asap so the bucks can put more into growing antlers. Cottonseed lacks trace minerals so if you are going to only feed cottonseed I would "dust" it with Purina dairy cow mineral supplement. I also think that cottonseed really adds to the mass of the antlers.

Cottonseed is no silver bullet. It just fills in where other things are lacking. Depending on where you are and weather conditions deer may start eating it immediately or it may take six months. One other place where it really seems to help is being available to does and fawns. Sometimes bucks will take over feed pens and not allow other deer in. With cottonseed being available throughout the pasture does and fawns have a better chance of getting supplemental feed.

Feed it Deer and Cattle for years.

Big article on it in TTHA this month

Thanks for the information.