Deer Food Guide

Deer food plots are very beneficial, despite the time, money, and effort required to establish them. According to the DIY Deer Food Plots̵7; website, these plots provide a nourishing place for deer, help keep the population healthy, and provide good game for hunters. But before you start a deer food plot, you should be knowledgeable about how best to begin, the plants you should use and seasonal changes that can affect your plot.

  1. Getting Started

    • According to the DIY Deer Food Plots̵7; website, you should first be knowledgeable about the land you want to cultivate and how to adequately take care of that land. You should also be aware of which plants provide the most nutrients to deer and when to plant them throughout the year. If you are a novice at planting deer plots, you might want to start off with a small plot--about 1,000 square feet. These types of plots draw the deer into a small area, and provide them with the proper nutrients and minerals.

    Plants

    • There̵7;s no one perfect crop that will attract the most deer, according to The Jump website. However, there are several plants that will provide a nutritious diet for them. Once you are aware of your needs and the best crops that will suit those needs, you can start to study some of the popular plants for deer food plots, such as clover, American joint vetch and rapeseed.

      Clover is a good crop to consider planting in your deer food plot. Even though there are many different varieties, clover seeds generally create patches that you won̵7;t need to replant every year, and they provide a good source of nutrients. While this will save you money, it may be difficult to create and time-consuming to maintain.

      American joint vetch is another popular plant for deer food plots. It̵7;s a fairly new plant that hunters are using, but it has good protein and produces a plentiful amount. However, it is expensive and very sensitive to seasonal changes.

      Rapeseed is part of the mustard family. According to The Jump website, this plant may not attract many deer because they rarely eat it, even though it is very good for them.

    Seasonal Plots

    • According to the Big Game Hunt website, you also must consider the plants that will work best during different seasons. For example, turnips are a great source of protein for deer in the winter. They can be planted in the late summer and last well into the early winter months. Other great winter plants include oats, corn and rapeseed. According to The Jump website, ideal plants for fall and summer include clover, American joint vetch, cowpeas and soybeans.