Whether you are a hunter or simply a nature lover, feeding big game helps attracts deer and other wild game to your property. Having the best hunting bow, being prepared for changes in weather and having your tree stand in the perfect spot are all important parts of hunting whitetail deer and other large game. But the best way to attract wild game to your land is to provide a steady and nutritious supply of wild game or deer feed throughout the seasons. This will "train" whitetail deer and other big game to visit your property often, giving you the chance you've been waiting for.
Whitetail deer can eat up to 5 pounds of food every day per deer, especially in the winter season when there is a limited natural food supply. Bucks, or male deer, need extra nutrition to help with rapid antler growth in the spring.
There are 2 main types of deer feeders, including free choice and spincast feeders. Free choice feeders provide a constant flow of feed because they are gravity powered. Automatic spincast feeders allow you to control the amount of feed that gets put out at any given time. Extruded nugget feeds are the best choice for automatic spincast feeders.
Whitetail Deer Feeding Tips:
Did You Know:
Seasonal Feeding Guide
Each season brings a whole new set of conditions and challenges for deer and elk. Tractor Supply Co. carries feeds that are specially-formulated to boost the nutrients deer need to not only survive, but thrive during periods of limited forage or extreme elements.
Fall Deer Feeding
Fall is breeding season for deer, and the weather conditions fluctuate.Breeding demands higher energy. Typically as a buck's sex drive increases during this period, their food intake goes down. Making feed readily available helps bucks keep their nutrition up.
Winter Deer Feeding
Winter is a time when deer are coming out of rut, or mating season. Natural forage becomes scarce, and cold winter conditions limit natural browse and forbs. Supplemental protein helps bridge the nutrition gap between winter and spring.
Spring Deer Feeding
Deer are coming into velvet during spring, and increased forage is available. Spring months are prime antler growing months. These months are also critical for lactating fawns. Supplemental feed is important now before natural forage becomes more abundant.
Summer Deer Feeding
Deers live with extreme conditions such as heat and drought, and nutrition from forage varies. Drought and heat cause extreme stress in deer. Fortified vitamins and minerals are critical for deer to survive heat and drought.
Food Plots
Along with a solid supplemental feeding plan, deer food plots play an important role in delivering year round nutrition to deer.
Free ranging deer consume 25% to 40% of their diet from supplemental forage, depending on the season and amount of rainfall. Typically 5% of your total property should be devoted to food plots, depending on deer density and natural forage.
Deer food plots help bridge the gap between natural offerings and supplemental feeds and are a responsible investment for your herd and wildlife conservation. Consider the natural browse and forbs of your habitat when selecting the right plants to grow. What to feed a deer also depends on the season.
Spring/Summer Deer Food Plot Nutrition
Spring and summer planting of food plot seed is often overlooked. In the spring and summer months, the nutrition level of the native habitat in many areas of the country falls well below what deer need for optimal growth and health. Overwhelming your deer herd with more high quality plantings than they can consume is key to increasing bodyweight and improving antler growth.
Some great options for selecting deer food plot seed include:
Fall Food Plot Nutrition
Deers need more energy and carbohydrate-rich foods in the fall. Deer that have access to a food plot during late winter and early spring will enter antler development and fawn rearing at a higher level of health, which means bigger, healthier does and fawns, along with increased antler growth for bucks.
Tree Stand Tips
Your tree stand is essential. Using the best equipment and placement can be the difference in bringing home that next big buck.
When choosing the right tree stand, look for:
Setting up your tree stand:
Committing To Conservation
The best generation of sportsmen is always the next generation. Here are just a few steps you can take to become a steward of the land and habitat you keep for your deer.
We have Pro Hunter Deer Feed as well as other options. Come see us at Hillsboro Feed Company!
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Fall is here and that means it's time for pumpkin-everything. 🎃
But what do you do with your pumpkins once the season is over? If you throw them out your pets could be missing out on a tasty snack.
For livestock, pumpkins can even stand in as an additional feed source.
Whether you have a patch of leftover pumpkins that didn't sell for Halloween or you just have a few that decorated your porch, it's time to re-purpose them.