A food plot is a cultivated area designed to provide a supplemental, high-quality food source to attract deer for management, viewing, or hunting purposes. The strategic planting of specific forages can significantly influence deer movement and overall herd health within a property. Successful attraction requires understanding the nutritional needs of deer throughout the year. This approach requires careful planning and the selection of plant species that align with the animal’s changing dietary demands and the local climate.
Understanding Deer Dietary Requirements
Deer nutrition shifts dramatically with the seasons, moving between a high-protein diet for growth and a high-carbohydrate diet for energy reserves. During the spring and summer, protein is the primary requirement for bucks to support rapid antler development and for does to fuel gestation and lactation. An optimal diet during this period should contain a protein level between 16 and 20 percent to maximize body growth and reproductive success.
As the weather cools in fall and transitions into winter, the deer’s nutritional priority changes to accumulating and utilizing energy stores. They actively seek foods high in carbohydrates and fats to build the necessary fat layer that insulates and sustains them through the rut and the cold winter months. Energy is needed to regulate body temperature and support the high demands of the breeding season.
Annual Plot Selections for High Attraction
Annual plants are highly effective for immediate, seasonal attraction, particularly during hunting season. They are typically planted in late summer or early fall to provide forage when native vegetation begins to decline. This category includes brassicas, which are highly favored due to their unique palatability change after a hard frost.
Brassicas, such as turnips, radishes, and rape, convert stored starches into sweeter, digestible sugars once temperatures drop, making them attractive in the late season. Deer consume both the leafy greens and the energy-rich underground bulbs or tubers, which provide a significant carbohydrate boost for winter survival. Planting typically occurs 60 to 90 days before the first expected frost to allow for adequate growth.
Cereal grains, including oats, wheat, or rye, germinate quickly to provide succulent forage throughout the early and middle fall. Oats are popular for their high sugar content and can be effective for attracting deer during the archery season. For summer high-protein options, soybeans are a top choice, as their forage can offer up to 35 percent protein when managed correctly.
Corn is a classic high-carbohydrate annual that is most attractive during the late season, providing a dense source of energy when other foods are scarce. However, deer will rapidly consume small corn or soybean plots, meaning these crops often require larger acreage or protective measures to last through the season.
Perennial and Long-Term Forage Options
Perennial forages persist for multiple years from a single planting, offering a consistent and lower-maintenance food source. These options, with proper care, can last for three to five years or more, providing a dependable food supply throughout the spring and summer. These long-term plots offer high protein content, which directly addresses the deer’s needs during periods of growth and reproduction.
Clover is the most common perennial plot choice, with varieties such as Ladino and Red clover offering different growth habits and tolerances. Clovers are legumes, meaning they fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, which benefits the plants and reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer. Alfalfa is another excellent perennial legume, boasting a deeper root system that makes it more drought-tolerant than some clovers.
Chicory is frequently blended with clover and alfalfa, as its deep taproot makes it drought-resistant, and its leaves remain palatable and digestible throughout the summer. Managers should also consider enhancing desirable native browse, which provides a natural, consistent food base. Native plants like honeysuckle and the mast from oak acorns are sought out by deer, especially in the fall for their high carbohydrate content.
Preparing and Maintaining the Food Plot
The success of any food plot depends first on the quality of the soil and the precision of its preparation. The initial step is conducting a professional soil test to determine the existing pH level and the concentrations of nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The soil test report provides exact recommendations for amendments, eliminating guesswork and maximizing the plant’s ability to utilize applied fertilizers.
Most food plot crops thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, ideally between 6.0 and 6.5. If the soil is too acidic, lime must be applied to raise the pH, which is a slow process that can take six months or longer for the full effect to be realized. Low acidity prevents plants from absorbing nutrients, making fertilizer applications less effective.
Fertilization according to the soil test ensures that the plants receive the correct NPK ratio for robust growth, which increases forage yield and palatability. Seed bed preparation involves eliminating existing weeds and loosening the soil to a depth of four to six inches, either through tilling or a no-till method. Planting timing must be precisely matched to the specific plant species and the regional climate, as planting too early or too late can lead to failure.