A deer food plot is an intentionally planted area designed to supplement the natural forage available to local deer populations. The purpose of these managed plots is twofold: to attract deer for viewing or hunting opportunities and to provide a consistent source of necessary nutrition throughout the year. These supplemental plantings are particularly important during periods when natural food sources are scarce or low in quality, such as during late summer drought or mid-to-late winter. By offering a predictable, nutrient-dense meal, food plots help sustain the herd during stressful times, ensuring does are healthy for fawning and bucks have the building blocks for antler growth.
High-Protein Warm-Season Annuals
The warm-season annual plot is focused on supplying the high levels of protein required for peak biological activities, specifically antler development in bucks and lactation for nursing does. These crops are planted in the late spring or early summer, completing their life cycle within one growing season before the first frost. Legumes are the primary choice for this planting window due to their ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, enriching the soil while providing superior nutrition.
Forage soybeans are often considered the premier warm-season annual, offering exceptional palatability and protein content that can reach 30 to 35% in the tender leaves and stems. Deer will heavily browse the young plants, which necessitates planting large enough plots or protecting them until they are established enough to withstand heavy grazing pressure. Soybeans provide continuous high-quality forage throughout the summer and can also offer a high-energy grain source once the plants mature and drop their beans in the fall.
Cowpeas, sometimes referred to as iron-clay peas, are another reliable legume choice that yields a high protein concentration, typically ranging from 20 to 28%. They are particularly useful because they exhibit better drought tolerance and can thrive in slightly poorer, sandier soils compared to soybeans. While corn is a warm-season annual, it is better utilized as a high-carbohydrate, late-season grain, and is often planted alongside these high-protein legumes to provide structural support and a dual-purpose resource.
Energy-Rich Cool-Season Annuals
Cool-season annuals are planted in late summer or early fall to provide a continuous food source rich in carbohydrates, which are essential for deer to build fat reserves before and during the winter. This period, often coinciding with the hunting season, makes these plots highly attractive. The planting timing is important, ideally occurring about 45 days before the first expected frost to allow for adequate root and leaf growth.
Brassicas, a family that includes turnips, radishes, and kale, are a highly effective category of cool-season forage. These plants are uniquely valuable because their palatability and nutritional profile change dramatically after a hard frost occurs. Before the frost, the plant leaves are starchy, but cold temperatures trigger an enzymatic conversion of these starches into highly digestible sugars. This process significantly increases the attractiveness of the leaves and the carbohydrate-rich underground bulbs or taproots, providing a late-season energy spike.
Cereal grains are another core element of the cool-season plot, valued for their rapid germination and ability to provide immediate forage. Grains such as wheat, oats, and cereal rye begin growing quickly after planting, offering an appealing green browse within weeks. Oats are often preferred for early-season attraction, though they are less cold-tolerant than wheat or rye, which continue to provide green forage even under snow cover. Planting a mixture of brassicas and cereal grains ensures a food source that is available from the early fall green-up through the late winter, covering the entire period of energy stress.
Long-Term Perennial Food Sources
Perennial food sources persist for multiple years from a single planting, offering a consistent and low-maintenance forage option. This long-term approach allows for less annual soil disturbance, making them an excellent foundation for any food plot program. A successful perennial plot requires careful initial soil preparation, with a pH level consistently maintained between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth and nutrient uptake.
Clover, available in varieties like perennial white clover and red clover, is a highly favored perennial legume that fixes nitrogen into the soil. White clover is generally more palatable to deer and spreads well, while red clover is more tolerant of acidic soil and drought conditions. These clovers offer reliable, high-protein forage that is available from the early spring green-up through the fall.
Chicory is frequently planted alongside clover due to its deep taproot, which allows it to remain green and productive even during the hot, dry periods of summer when clover may go dormant. As a cool-season perennial forb, chicory provides highly digestible forage and excellent protein content throughout the growing season. Maintaining these perennial stands typically involves periodic mowing to a height of six to eight inches to control weeds and stimulate fresh, tender growth, along with an annual application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.