Creating supplemental food plots is an effective strategy for attracting deer by providing a reliable, concentrated food source. These cultivated areas act as strong attractants, drawing deer from surrounding cover, while offering significant nutritional support. Successful attraction depends on understanding the specific nutritional requirements of the local deer population throughout the year. Planting crops that align with these needs ensures the plots are utilized consistently, supporting overall herd health and increasing visibility.
Seasonal Dietary Requirements of Deer
A deer’s nutritional needs fluctuate dramatically across the seasons, dictating the type of forage that will be most attractive. Spring and summer represent the period of highest protein demand, required for rapid body recovery, lactation in does, and antler development in bucks. During this warm season, deer seek forage with crude protein levels ideally ranging from 16 to 24 percent to fuel intense growth and reproductive activity.
The deer’s dietary focus shifts significantly in the fall and winter, transitioning to energy storage and maintenance. As temperatures drop, deer require high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods to build fat reserves necessary for surviving the rut and cold weather. These energy-dense crops help maintain body heat and condition when natural forage is scarce. Planting a variety of forages designed for specific times of the year ensures a continuous, high-quality food supply that meets these changing physiological demands.
High-Attraction Annual Crops for Food Plots
Annual crops provide intense, short-term attraction and must be replanted yearly, offering flexibility in rotation and timing. For high protein during warm months, annual legumes like soybeans and winter peas are excellent choices. Soybeans offer lush, high-protein forage throughout the summer, and the residual dried beans provide a valuable fat source late into winter. Winter peas are highly palatable immediately upon germination, often earning the nickname “deer ice cream” due to intense browsing pressure.
As the season progresses, cereal grains become powerful attractants due to their high carbohydrate content, which is readily converted into energy. Trophy oats are a preferred choice, noted for their high sugar content and palatability. Wheat is highly regarded for its reliability, cold-hardiness, and tolerance to various soil conditions. Cereal rye is the most cold-tolerant of the grains, making it a dependable option for late-season forage, even in northern regions.
Brassicas, including turnips, radishes, and forage rape, are utilized for late-season attraction and winter nutrition. These crops are unique because a hard frost triggers the conversion of stored starches into sugars, significantly increasing their palatability. Radishes and turnips also produce large, carbohydrate-rich bulbs that deer will dig up once the above-ground forage is consumed. Planting a mixture of annuals ensures high-quality forage is available from the early summer protein requirement through the late-winter energy crunch.
Reliable Perennial Forage Options
Perennial forages persist for multiple years from a single planting, offering a reliable, low-maintenance food source. Clovers are often considered the foundation of a perennial plot, with varieties like Ladino, white, and red clover providing consistent, high-protein forage throughout the growing season. Ladino white clover is particularly prized for its creeping growth habit, high yield, and crude protein content (up to 30 percent), supporting muscle and antler growth.
These legumes are highly browse-tolerant and, with proper management, can last for three to five years, providing a dependable food source. Red clover and crimson clover are excellent options, often performing well in less ideal soil conditions. Alfalfa is another outstanding perennial, boasting a deep taproot that allows it to tolerate drought better than clover and provide a high-protein diet for an extended period.
Chicory is frequently planted alongside clovers, acting as an excellent companion plant with a deep root system that helps it withstand drought and heavy browsing. It is a non-legume perennial that is highly palatable and provides protein levels up to 30 percent, contributing to the plot’s nutritional diversity. Selecting perennial varieties suited to the local climate and soil conditions is necessary for establishing a long-lasting, attractive food plot.
Essential Steps for Successful Food Plot Establishment
The success of any food plot hinges on proper establishment and preparation of the planting site. The most important first step is conducting a soil test, which provides a detailed analysis of the soil’s current pH level and nutrient composition. This inexpensive test dictates exactly how much lime and fertilizer are required to optimize growing conditions for the chosen forage.
Most deer forages thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0; lime must be applied to raise the pH of overly acidic soil. Based on the soil test results, the appropriate fertilizer blend must be applied to address deficiencies in nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. Adequate soil preparation is then required, typically involving controlling existing weeds and breaking up the ground to create a fine, level seedbed. Good seed-to-soil contact is necessary for high germination rates, so the final step involves carefully sowing the seed at the recommended rate and lightly covering or rolling the plot.