need some advice

[3seasons]

I live in South West MS and would like to start trying to increase my deer quality. We have some real good genetics on our land. I could use some advice on how to get started and what the best way to go about it would be. Thanks.

[dogdoc]

if you want to increase deer quality--(antler size, body weight. fawn growth--then warm season high protein food plots are your first step. You can plant annuals whcih could include: soybeans. peas (iron and clay peas, lablab) high protein perennials would include clover, trefoil, alfalfa, chicory.

Your cool season plants will help the deer maintain body weight thru the stresses of rut and winter--thus be in better shape when fawns are dropping and antlers are growing. These would include your cereal grains (wheat, oats, rye), brassicas (turnips) and austrian winter peas.

Do you have equipment such as tractor and disc to get started?

[anderson3]

I agree with dogdoc, but would take it a step further back. The first step in my view is to get control of the deer herd/population with your harvest management and development of good cover (to hold deer and protect young bucks from neighbors). Then food plots come in. Depends on what you have and what you want; it all works together.

[PAstringking]

i would listen to whatever anderson3 and dogdoc say.

starting with harvest management and working into food plots and such is a great plan. starting with property research is the step im in right now. knowing what deer, plants, animals, trees, ect are on your property is key to the success of a good property management plan.

[dogdoc]

[ QUOTE ]
The first step in my view is to get control of the deer herd/population with your harvest management and development of good cover

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree more. That sometimes can be very difficult for free ranging deer--depending on the size of land, the number of hunters, and the state's limit of does.

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The first step in my view is to get control of the deer herd/population with your harvest management and development of good cover

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree more. That sometimes can be very difficult for free ranging deer--depending on the size of land, the number of hunters, and the state's limit of does.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is so true. Despite our attempts to manage and give the deer better food sources, we are seeing a terrible decline in our herd here with overhunting in this area by surrounding hunters. The herd has been hit really hard by liberal doe limits and hunters with the brown its down mentality.

[anderson3]

wtn and dogdoc, you are right. I think the reality of how much control we have (or don't have) over the local herd has to be a big part of a landowner's expectations. Happiness is not necessarily based on a certain result, it is based on what we get compared to what we expected. So guys with 99 acres who watch the TV shows and want to do it like the YO Ranch may be in for disappointment in the long run, depending what is going on around them. But with realistic expectations, folks have great success enjoying their deer management, even if the neighbor shoots one now and then. Small properties are a different challenge, for sure.

[anderson3]

I don't know what 3seasons' situation is, but smaller landowners with an over-abundant local deer herd have a heck of a time going for quality deer. If the local deer herd is low due to heavy doe harvest nearby, I think it helps the smaller manager interested in quality.

[TxBowHunter]

Well you could start out feeding some protein!

[LETMGROW]

Some good advice here already. I would like to add, you may want to sit down with your neighbors and get their input. Perhaps you can form a cooperative which will benefit you all.
This approach has worked well for us.

[3seasons]

Thanks guys for the advice. Our land is broken up into cutover, plantation pines from 10-20+yrs, and hardwoods, with some fields. Our deer population is not overabundant and our ratio is about 1 to 1.5-2 buck to doe. Its real good for the area we have been managing it for about 6 yrs. We just have never tried any supplemental feeding. Thanks again and Ill let you know how it turns out.