1st year feeding Double Down

We decided as a group to begin solely feeding double down this year as a trial run to see if we notice any difference. It’s expensive but very convenient as far as getting it from a feed store to our place. I noticed consumption is up but still need to complete our surveys as numbers may have increased. Pulled cards this weekend and in the process of identifying.. bucks haven’t shed yet as they typically shed around the 2nd week of September in our area, so this one is a bit deceiving.

2017.


2018




We’ve been feeding protien for 8 years now.. I can say he’s added tine length, maybe some mass but not sure it’s drastically different than what I would have expected with another year of age.
Searching for some others currently, but I haven’t seen anything on camera thats shocking if you know what I mean..
I will add we are in a severe drought like many of you so I didn’t have extremely high expectations. It’s still early and we’re only a year into the brand change... will continue for at least one more year.

Anyone else have similar results after jumping on the bandwagon?

We started feeding Big and J last season, could tell a difference, was way too expensive though. Switched to Double Down in April and been feeding consistently and have noticed some improvements, we also started mineral sites this year too. Where do you buy Double Down? I've gotta run to Pilot Point to get it.

Gatesville, which is about 20 miles up the road..

I would call that normal growth for a deer that is a year older. Hope that DD produces great results for your group. We fed it for a year. The deer didn't take to it very well at first and we didn't notice any appreciable gain from a year of DD versus the L&E we had been feeding. We're back to feeding L&E.

That was my point. Looks like normal growth for 2-3 yo.. maybe putting on 10-15”. Only kicker is the lack of rain this year..

We’ll commit to 1 more year of it, but I’m definitely not a believer in all the hype at the moment.

Age class jumps are going to happen more in younger bucks than older one in a drier year. Genetics play a big part in that also. In areas with good buck to doe ratios and older bucks, those older bucks due to rutting harder can drop off in drier years.
I have been feeding protein now almost 6 yrs year round. I had just under 5" of rain from Jan 1 till March 31 this spring and then not much at all with just under 2" total till June 20th. The bucks came out of the rut and hit the protein then backed off in March. Then back on it heavy in late April till mid June. This is just one of the bucks that got better this year. I thought he was a poor 3 yr old 6 pt last year. This year he jumped to an 8 pt and looks to be 4. I have fed the same protein since I started, L&E. Some bucks stayed the same and some dropped off a bit. Some got a lot bigger.
This is the same buck since I have daytime photos of him last year with my good camera/lens and I have seen him in person at the water trough at my house this year. He has the same browtine shape/location on the beam and facial features when you see him in person. He looks a lot bigger in the body due to the camera being at a different angle this year and the way he is standing. He is also closer to the camera this year than last year so it makes him look a lot bigger.

That’s a good jump, what? 25+”.. Not a bad looking deer..
I’ve seen y’all talking about the L&E for years, but I haven’t found up where we hunt.
I’ll try to remain optimistic given we’ve had such a dry summer.

If I could find more younger pics of him I would be he was eating protein since he was a 1 yr old. If had to guess he was a spike as yearling and then a 4 pt or maybe weak 6 pt at 2. I would think he went up 20" since he gained 3's that helped a bunch but he looks to have added to all measurements also. I was really shocked he went from a 6 pt to an 8 pt this year since the rainfall was so spotted and way below average for the first 6 months.
Most feeds made now are way better than feeds 15-18 yrs ago. The difference in most feeds will be the mineral/trace mineral/vitamin package in them since most have a similar protein % base. High fiber feeds are just get you paying for something that you have growing out there in the pasture. The key with any feed is to use it enough years to see if you like the results, keep records to check. I have used L&E since 2004. No feed has genetics on the label as an ingredient, either a deer has genetics or he doesn't.
Also IME as bucks get older they add so much body mass that it sometimes can hide them adding inches to the score till you pick up some sheds. What looks the same in pictures from year to year may be totally different when you see the buck in person or find a shed or two.

Good point.

IMO, That deer above gained 20” just in 3’s and main beam length. Figured he added a little between the ears and a little mass too.

We had been feeding antler max prior to and had a deer make a similar jump last year from a 6 to an 8.. beautiful deer but I think the neighbor got him.

2016



2017.. still weak brows but put on 3’s and good MB length, and we had more rain last summer.

If you are in an area with poor protein natural browse you might also get a bump from a drought if you’re feeding unlimited free choice protein.

Either way, a couple of years isn’t enough time to see any difference imo.

Try and get a refund... no 40" gains! lol

what are you guys paying for DD..?? I was going to try but not paying 14.50 a bag..

$13.95