I'm new to protien feeding, this will be my second year to feed it. I noticed the protien the rancher fed last year wasn't very desired by the deer. We're going to feed again this year and also trying about 10 acres of soybeans if its not a dust bowl in April. Any suggestion on what protein variety to use, the area I hunt is Live Oak County in George West.

I've had good luck with the Record Rack products as far as the deer liking it. Don't last long in my feeder

We have fed purina, record rack, full o pep, sportsman choice and 1 other I cant recall. They ate them all with no discernible difference in consumption rate. Range conditions change consumption rate quite a bit, could be why they didn't eat as much/fast last year.

You're in George West, I'd use Lyssey and Eckel. We're just down the road from you between Freer and Laredo and our deer didn't consume all we bought either. Too much rainfall and lots of new-growth forbs. Which is a GOOD thing. As for palatability , I've never noticed any difference in Record Rack, Surefed, AntlerMax or L&E.

If your deer are used to corn but not protein, mix 25% Corn/ 75% Protein the first time you fill feeders. Then go to straight protein. Herds that have never been fed pellets and have had decent rainfall can be slow to get started on the protein. Good luck!

I use Antlermax and the deer at my place north of Abilene eat it up.

In my area they eat it all up but I have hunted other areas where they had to be trained to eat it. I always start with 1 bag of corn then 50/50 corn and protein slowly reducing the amount of corn as i go. Eventually they get the idea that the protein is good for them, kinda like kids. Having water nearby is good also as the protein can be "hot" in their bellies.

I have also used the berry flavored record rack and the does don't bother it but the young bucks tear it up

Total Deer our deer wouldn't touch anything else once we put it out

You can save money buy feeding creep feed instead of the designer protein feeds. But if money is no prob my stock at Purina could use a spike.

Lyssy and Eckels in George West. Your deer will do better on it than any other feed you can buy in that area.

STX, you've mentioned that you're a believer in L&E protein a few times. What was it that sold you on them? I'm just trying to find out if it's worth it to me to go that route.

We use 20% Record Rack and I think when we enquired about L&E years back there was a minimum bulk tonnage that we couldn't handle. But I'm just curious why, and how you became such a believer.

On 2 ranches I was on we switched from Purina(both had been on it for a long time) to L/E 20-12. The first year the deer made a very good jump on both ranches on antler growth. Then continued to improve yearly. Antler mass was a huge difference on L/E feeds vs Purina. Their feed rations are based off of your area needs a lot of the time. It is not always about how much feed they will eat or how it tastes but rather what they get from that feed that they need to help them out. They get more from L/E that they need.

STXRANCHMAN, do you start off with pure protein feed of mix it with corn to get them to start eating it?

Lyssy & Eckels

If you are near George West, I'd go by there and discuss your goals.
They have a nutritionist on staff

That really depends on the area you are in. If someone feeds around your or that place has been fed in the past it might not take mixing it. If I mix it is usually 2/3 protein to 1/3 corn mix. I do not fill a feeder but only put in around 75# per feeder. When they eat that, I go all protein next time I put out feed.

Good Info