Types of Deer Feed
Many hunters and landowners alike supplement the food supply of their deer population. One of the advantages to this is larger healthier deer. When choosing a type of deer feed consider not only the needs of the deer but the money and effort you want to put into it as well.
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Corn
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By far the most popular type of deer feed is corn. Corn is inexpensive and readily available all year. That said, corn is among the poorest quality grains being fed to deer. Corn is high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Corn should mainly be fed during cold winter months as an energy supplement. The low amounts of protein in corn are not high enough to support bone, muscle and antler growth.
Pellets
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Deer pellets are another popular form of deer feed. Pellets are made from a mixture of milled grains and plant materials like alfalfa, milo, cottonseed and corn. A mineral supplement is added to the mixed feed before it is formed into pellets. Pellets provide a well balanced feed for every season. Pellets are easy to handle and work well with automatic deer feeders. On the down side if pellets get wet deer seem to lose interest.
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Blocks
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Blocks are large cubes of condensed minerals and attractants. Supplemental minerals are mixed with molasses or another sweetener and formed into mineral blocks. In order to feed, the deer must stand and lick the block. These blocks can last for months but most deer will not stand and lick the block long enough to get much nutrition.
Grains
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Mixed grain is a good all-around deer feed. Mixed-grain feed consists of whole grains like oats, barley, wheat and corn to provide energy, and ground oil seeds like soybean, linseed and canola to provide protein. Mixed-grain feeds are easy to dispense in a feeder and fare better than pellet feed in inclement weather. Mixed grains give deer a good balance of energy and protein for optimal health and growth all year long.
Food Plots
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A popular choice for hunters is the food plot. Food plots are patches of cultivated and planted ground. The food plot is the most natural means of feeding deer. A number of different natural food plants may be included in the plot. A common blend of seed used is a mixture of wheat, alfalfa, clover and millet.Feed plots can be labor intensive but they benefit not only deer but also other wildlife.
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