[East Texas Droptine]

I figure since things have been really slow around here I'd ask opinions or thoughts...

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could try to feed the deer this spring and summer that is high in nutrition that my local feed store might have? I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now and they feeder has just run out of corn so I need to go to the feed store to pick up some more or something different...I've tried soybeans which they have really taken to and I know that the soybeans have a higher nutritional value than corn.

 

[Southern Man]

I've heard raw soybeans is an excellant feed for deer. You say they have taken to it well, how'd you get them to take to it? I've heard it's hard to get them to eat it at first. Being in TX you should have a good variety of deer feeds to choose from.

 

[East Texas Droptine]

The 1st thing I did was mix the corn and soybeans together...and then after about 3 days most of the soybeans were gone, but not all, and from then on their consumption of soybeans increased to as much as I would put out they would eat - at one point I just dumped out quite a bit of beans and 2 days later they where completly gone.

 

[Southern Man]

That's what I figured, and actually that's what I've been told on how to do it. Mix with corn at first, than gradually take the corn out. Soybeans are high in protein, I don't think you can buy a better feed for the money. Just my opinion of course. I had thought of putting out a feeder to help them thry the winter. I might do that next year. I got alot of good pics by the corn I put out. Not only of deer. Entertaining.

 

[Southern Man]

Oh and do you put out mineral also?

 

[East Texas Droptine]

No, I've try products such as Purina deer and elk mineral and they ate it but to me it was not worth the money they more or less wasted it...but I do belive that they are getting minerals from our cattle salt/mineral blocks...

 

[ronn]

high protein in the spring for max antler development and help the lactating does. 30% protein is about the highest i've seen. buck grub, acorn rage, rut nuts are all right up there.

 

[Hunting Man]

corn is pretty low in protien 7-8 % don't know about soybeans but I would have to think they would have more to offer. Throwing the soybeans and pouring down the bag stuff like ronn said may give the deer a good boost.

 

[ronn]

at least till native foods are plentiful.

 

[Southern Man]

As far as feeding goes here, if something natural comes along they like, they'll drop the feed like a hot potatoe.....