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When to feed protein? #9169307 01/14/25 01:30 PM
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Ducker rich Offline OP
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We have a lease down south and we are low fence, but we'd like to provide the deer some protein. We know after rut is a good time, but for horn growing, helping does recover after birthing fawns, when is the best time to put it out?
Since we are starting protein, do you keep spinning corn so the deer find the protein? We've always spun corn all year but the past couple of seasons it just piles up once it greens up down there, so we were going to let them run dry this year until around September.
but if we start protein we're thinking we may need to keep it going so the deer keep coming to the feeders.

Thanks for any help you can give us!
DR


Richard Gray
Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169311 01/14/25 01:37 PM
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chuck richey Online Content
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We are about to do the same thing on our LF lease down south. This is our first year on this property and want to see if it helps. I plan on leaving corn feeding all year but will have them turned down compared to during season. Our plan is to have cottonseed and protein to see which they hit more. Bucks are still pushing does on our place as of Sunday so we will probably get protein going before February.

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169333 01/14/25 02:07 PM
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You're gonna have to do a little trial and error for a bit, then you'll get a feel for it. Plenty of "experts" on here will tell you you're pissing in the wind on a low fence place, particularly if they're square-heads. I feed protein on my low fence place once a quarter, unless there's been an unusual amount of rain for that period, but I have a Wildlife Valuation for my property taxes and supplemental feed is part of proving that up. I should feed more than the minimum number of required locations, but I have a little square-head blood in me too. grin

Others can advise you on cottonseed, I'm too lazy to complicate my life with that.

Last edited by Creekrunner; 01/14/25 02:08 PM.

...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169351 01/14/25 02:27 PM
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Now is a good time to start. With that said, we hunt just south of I-20 about 1 hour west of DFW, all of our deer are struggling at this time of the year, pretty much all the food is gone, they're hitting the feeders really hard. Y'all may be in a different boat than us due to climate, there may be more food down south right now. But in my experience, they'll hit the feed really hard for the next 2 months, once it greens up they lay off, and then in July really get back after it, that's when they really pound it.

Also, we do keep our corn feeders going year round, doesn't seem to affect them going to the protein.

Hope this helps!


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Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169380 01/14/25 03:12 PM
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Jan through October.

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169407 01/14/25 03:48 PM
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End of January is when we set up cotton seed. It's easier to handle and the higher fat content is what bucks need right now to build back up after the rigors of the rut. Protein will be filled to the top March 1st and is somewhat tough to keep up with consumption rate for the next two months. We will continue with that run until July 1st at which time it gets really hot and we see its consumption diminish. At that time, we replace with cottonseed which is more readliy consumed in very dry conditions. We keep up with the cottonseed until about the 1st week in September when we add back in protein as bucks are trying to build up for the rut. We try to "time it" so our cottonseed and protein run out when the season commences.

Last edited by Hudbone; 01/14/25 03:51 PM.
Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Creekrunner] #9169414 01/14/25 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Creekrunner
You're gonna have to do a little trial and error for a bit, then you'll get a feel for it. Plenty of "experts" on here will tell you you're pissing in the wind on a low fence place, particularly if they're square-heads. I feed protein on my low fence place once a quarter, unless there's been an unusual amount of rain for that period, but I have a Wildlife Valuation for my property taxes and supplemental feed is part of proving that up.


We recently sold our place, but we were also keeping our Ag exemption through Wildlife Management, choosing WT deer as our target species. So, as part of our management plan, we fed protein year round on our low-fenced 640 acre McMullen County property (2 miles X 1/2 mile). Corn feeders were only used beginning in mid-September (getting ready for "stand counts") and through the end of the deer season.

As far as "pissing in the wind," when we started following the plan, feeding protein year round and aggressively thinning out population numbers (about 20 does per season, based on game camera surveys and stand count data), the quality of bucks on the place increased significantly: the typical "trophy" buck on our place for the first 30 years was 120-130" class, but the year before we sold, after 6 years on the plan, we had a 158" and 161" buck taken on our little place (we also had game camera footage of a third buck, a tall-tined typical 12, that was likely at least mid-150", but it was never seen during daylight hours).

IMO, providing a source of year round protein helped to draw the bucks in and to keep them close by.

What also helped, of course, was having numerous game cameral pics of most of the resident bucks coming into the protein feeders. I'd just tape a picture on the refrigerator and say "do not shoot this buck!" Keeping bucks [with the best genetics on the place] alive until fully mature, and allowing them to keep breeding a couple of more years, was, IMO, also a huge factor.

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Stickchunker] #9169432 01/14/25 04:28 PM
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It's about the same here. Deer are hitting feed pretty hard now. everything is dead, even with the late rain we had. We do have water troughs we keep filled all year in our pens. We've tried cotton seed. the cows busted the pens down to get to it within an hour of putting it out. this is why we're thinking add protein feeders in each pen so the cows think it's just another feeder they can't get to. Thanks for info!

Last edited by Ducker rich; 01/14/25 04:31 PM.

Richard Gray
Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169455 01/14/25 05:00 PM
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A few things re protein
1) deer don't automatically start eating protein. They don't know what it is or how to eat it. When starting w/ protein add some corn, so a mix of 75% protein, 25% corn is a good start. It will take some time, so be patient. Make sure you have a game camera on each feeder so you can monitor.
2) Raccoons love protein. Add trailer axle grease to the protein feeder legs. It does not bother the deer. I have both grease and bird deterrent spikes on the legs. No raccoon bandits or squirrels are getting to my control box anymore. ***bird deterrent spikes can be found on Amazon and install using zip ties. It is easy and very effective!!!!
3) Keep a corn feeder nearby and throw for only a few seconds----2.3 or 4 seconds. They will go to corn feeder by habit (over time)
4) Even though deer will not go to the feeders much during April, May, early June---keep the feeders going (even if they throw only once per day during slow periods)
5) Once they find the protein, you will know it because your pocket book will be lighter, but just know you are doing the wildlife a very good service.
6) DON'T SHOOT YOUNG BUCKS!! (or you are wasting your money)
7) My last tip is buy good quality free flowing protein feeders. This is a long term investment (so yes, you will spend a bunch of money up front)

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169473 01/14/25 05:36 PM
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I believe I am going to try a couple of these. Like stated above cows will mess up a feed pen so hope this might help conceal it a little better.


https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/collections/protein-feeders/products/1650lb-protein-combo


Anyone used these before?

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169487 01/14/25 05:59 PM
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I'm on a good size lease in the Hill Country, where they rotate cattle in the different sections. Been on this lease for 4 years and I have 1 timed protein feeder, in a pen, (set for once in the morning) and the cows or pigs have never bothered it. I run it year around. I also have a cotton seed feeder in the pen as well and try to keep it full, Feb / March until Nov. I also have 2 corn feeders I'll run from Sept 1st until the end of Jan, throwing morning & afternoon.


https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/collections/stand-and-fill/products/600lb-electric-protein-feeder
https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/collections/stand-and-fill/products/600lb-standandfill-broadcast

Last edited by MI Hunter; 01/14/25 06:00 PM.
Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169640 01/14/25 10:43 PM
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Now! Bucks need the protein to get back in shape after the rut and as soon they start dropping their horns they need all they can get to start putting the next set on. Doe's need the nourishment to help fawn production and better lactation.

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9169756 01/15/25 02:43 AM
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Where is a good source for cotton seed around Commerce?


Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9174355 01/22/25 12:34 AM
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Yes to all of the above. Many good thoughts and comments. Started adding cotton about 15 years ago. Trial and error at first. Had to train the deer and teach them they like it!
>Pay attention to racoon eradication.
>We typically feed protein February through November , sometimes year round depending if I'm running a trial experiment.
>Cottonseed-this year we fed year round trying to keep body weights up. Deer appear to be in better shape.(maybe) We're in a drought.
>I feed corn year round although I do reduce the timer in the summer slightly, mainly to hammer pigs.
>I make my own cottonseed hoops.
> Have gravity flow -1500, 2000, 3000 protein feeders.
>Cottonseed -Wall Coop San Angelo
>Protein - L&E Roosevelt
>Make sure your pastures have plenty of good water.
>If your landowner is running sheep/goats convince him to get rid of them. They eat everything down to the dirt. If cattle make sure the pasture can handle the grazing or reduce numbers otherwise your deer will suffer.......
>If for AG exemption research the wildlife tax exemption. Less work for the landowner because the lease hunters can do all the requirements.

Re: When to feed protein? [Re: Ducker rich] #9179885 02/01/25 12:08 PM
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I started using the Antler King Grainiac XL protein blocks 2 weeks ago and the deer are tearing them up! I buy the 33lb. block at Tractor Supply for $19.99.

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