Question on feed for deer.

[PAbowhunter86]

Whats a deers favorite food? (In the Northeast of the US).

[wtnhunt]

Not sure about supplemental feed, but purina puts out a deer chow that is supposed to be a good quality supplemental feed. Preferred natural occuring and planted foods around here include acorns more so from white oaks than others, pears, clovers, soybeans, rye grasses, and although corn is not very nutritious the deer seem to love sweet corn.

[RangerClay]

Other than a food plot I would use soybeans. They are far more nutritous than corn.

Ranger

[Tominator]

Hard to say. Around here I'd say corn.

[Nut]

White Oak acorns.

[dogdoc]

Around here i have to agree with Nut. As soon as the acorns start dropping the agriculture crops and food plots get a lot less pressure from the deer. No matter what you plant or supplement it's hard to compete with what Mother Nature when her Oaks start dropping acorns.

todd

[La_Biologist]

I agree with the nut, white oak acorns. At least thats what they prefer in the south

[MCDillinois]

When the acorns are gone, I use corn, soybean and deer pellets by Purina in my hand cast locations and my feeders. I dont use any mollasis bases products in the feeder cause it will gum up when is warm and block up when cold.

I have never in my life seen a mature deer come to a spin feeder during daylight hours. For the last 6 years using trailcams, I have never captured a mature buck at a feeder in daylight. But, they will skirt the area well, well after dark. However, I have seen and killed mature bucks in a HAND CAST location(that is, filling 5 gallon buckets with feed and spreading it out-not pilling it up).

But the blend of grain I mentioned works great!!!

[bowhtr1]

Soybeans when the racks are growing and corn after that. The soybeans have up to 32 % protein to build the racks. Deer need a minimium of 18% protein to reach there full rack growth. For the rest of the year they need the carbs so corn is better. Until they start selling white oak acorns this is the best supplement.

[dogdoc]

[ QUOTE ]
but is it better to feed protein and/or soybeans than plant spring/summer foodplots.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you talking just about Texas or do you believe this to be true for the entire country. I'd have to argue this point. I'm not saying that feeding a high protein supplement isn't good for the deer but I don't believe it's better than planting a high quality warm season plot. Just cost alone makes a food plot a better choice. Plus you are giving the deer a more balanced diet using food plot crops than soybeans alone.

todd

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
what do recommend for warm season plots?

[/ QUOTE ]

For annuals beans and peas make great warm season plots. If you are looking for a perenial, deer will use clover plots through the warm season and the cold seasons.