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Improving feed options
#5709270
04/21/15 01:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 862
rattler03
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I just got on a new lease and want to feed something with a little better nutrition and attraction than just corn. I don't think I can afford getting a free-choice protein feeder until maybe next January (my "banker" is already groaning about the costs of moving leases). What would y'all recommend I feed to improve both attraction and hopefully nutrition versus straight corn? I am using spin feeders but would be open to adding blocks or licks, if needed. I've thought about throwing a corn/roasted soybean mix, but have heard a lot of folks say that their deer didn't touch the soybeans. Thoughts on that or another type of feed? Thanks
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5709287
04/21/15 01:29 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,350
aeb
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Size of the place and density of deer?
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5709311
04/21/15 01:39 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
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Not much will top corn as an attractant. I have seen protein work great as an early season attractant when fed year round also. You might consider a timered trough style proteim feeder instead of free choice. That way you can mix corn with it during the late summer and into deer season.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: aeb]
#5709319
04/21/15 01:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
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Size of the place and density of deer? Are you in Stephens County Sir, would a food plot be a option and how about cattle access
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: SniperRAB]
#5709439
04/21/15 03:01 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,654
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,654 |
HF food plot
i'm postaddic
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5709477
04/21/15 03:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 862
rattler03
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My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Not sure on density, but I don't think it'll be that high. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle.
Last edited by rattler03; 04/21/15 03:28 AM.
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5709485
04/21/15 03:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
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My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle. Does the owner have any farming equipment to plant a fall food plot(s)? Does he have any old fields or open areas? If so you might try to work a deal with him to plant wheat and/or oats in a large plot or couple of plots that you can fence with an electric fence then let him graze it with his cattle after the season is over. You buy the seed and let him plant it.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: stxranchman]
#5709502
04/21/15 03:47 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 862
rattler03
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My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle. Does the owner have any farming equipment to plant a fall food plot(s)? Does he have any old fields or open areas? If so you might try to work a deal with him to plant wheat and/or oats in a large plot or couple of plots that you can fence with an electric fence then let him graze it with his cattle after the season is over. You buy the seed and let him plant it. I've yet to meet the owner, so far I've only dealt with the lease manager. There aren't any fields on the property, but there are several spots that are open enough for a food plot with minimal clearing needed. I know the landowner owns quite a bit of land in the area, in addition to ours, so he may have equipment on another tract. I've thought about doing something like that before and will probably look into it when I get the chance. Does anybody have any suggestions other than a food plot in case this isn't an option for me?
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5709518
04/21/15 04:10 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,654
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,654 |
My new lease is in Archer County, 1800 acres, with 8 hunters. The property is mainly mesquite, with a few hackberries and some assorted other brush species, grass is thick with a good amount of weeds. Lots of water, with probably about 7 to 10 strong tanks. Not sure on density, but I don't think it'll be that high. Food plot would not be an option without building a fence due to cattle. As far as mineral blocks, the deer come inta the $3.99 acorn, apple, & corn flavored bricks they sell at walmart. Not sure how nutrissious value is... Best Wishes on lease
i'm postaddic
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5710339
04/21/15 07:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,923
PMK
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what about converting a barrel spincast feeder to protein? There are bolt on protein down tube & heads that can be put in place of the spinner box.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5710631
04/21/15 11:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44,131
Stub
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On a budget, sounds like corn is your only viable option for now. Later on in the summer, if everything dries out like it normally does and you have hog or cattle panel around your feeder, deer love nice green alfalfa
“I never forget a face—but in your case, I’ll be glad to make an exception.” —Groucho Marx
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5710656
04/22/15 12:08 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,304
Big Tony
THF Trophy Hunter
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I started feeding Record Rack right after Deer season. It's like corn but has a strong berry type smelling thick coating on each kernel. The bags only weigh 40 lbs but have more volume than a 50 lb bag of corn. 4 bags will almost top off a 55 gallon barrel. By the pallet, I believe it was around $12 a bag. As far as how well it works ? We'll see.
"A hunt based only on trophies taken, falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be." -Fred Bear
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: Big Tony]
#5710692
04/22/15 12:27 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,116
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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realistically if you feed anything but corn to do any good you have to go all in - protein feeders (at lease one every 400-500 acres) or full blown food plots (lots of labor involved plus with cattle you have to fence it off). Corn will attract them but protein, cottonseed, or food plots will grow them).
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Improving feed options
[Re: rattler03]
#5710965
04/22/15 03:35 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 862
rattler03
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Can someone elaborate on feeding cottonseed? How do you feed it? How much do you need to feed to make a difference? How much can you feed at a time/how often would you have to replace it with about a deer per 30 acre density and fair to good forage? Where can you get it and how much do you have to buy at a time?
What about a roasted soybeans/corn mix from a spin feeder? Is that even worth trying?
Wow, that's a lot of questions. Thanks for the advice, folks.
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