Protien VS corn?

[fox1]

Who feeds protien instead of corn this time of year. Ive got my feeders going with corn but was thinking about putting in some protien feeders, was wanting some opinions before going through the expense. Is it worth it or not?

[Longhorn95]

Short and sweet answer though it is not really something answered with a sentence or two.

Corn is like throwing Snickers bars out there, it's a treat, but not of any signifcant nutritional value. We feed protein nearly year round typically starting post-rut to aid in recovery.

Regarding the expense and worth it or not, it's not a magic bullet. It takes time and as to it being worth it or not depends upon the size of your place and your goals.

[Skinny]

The deer are hammering both the corn and protein feeders here on the ranch, we feed both year round. The does look like they are getting ready to pop...and the older bucks have about 4 inches of antler growth. They seem to know when they need the extra protein around here.

[dc1986]

To make a difference you will need for everyone on your lease and maybe surrounding leases to feed protein also.Then all of you will have to let the yound deer walk and be on the same management plan.After a few years you will definitely see the results.

[Aggiebush]

Like said above, corn is just a treat, it has little nutritional value to them. Protein will help them to grow and sport larger racks. There are many factors involved that will make a difference, but it definitely can't hurt. We usually let the corn feeders run out after February or so, but feed protein year round.

I disagree about all of your neighbors having to feed also, any will help. We only have 125 acres, and feed 4 protein feeders. You would be amazed at how much larger and healthier our bucks are. Nobody within miles feeds or even manages their herd, but our little bit make a HUGE difference.

[Bow Daddy]

I think it rescues from hard times more than adds a ton.

A deer's diet is supposedly on average 11%protein. Even if you feed protein, a deer that hits it heavily will still only get at most 25% of their diet from the 17% protein since they are by nature foragers.

Therefore, by the math, you could increase their protein intake from 11% of diet to 12.5%. One could make the argument that the protein replaces the lowest protein part of the diet when the deer are hardest up for a nutritious meal. So, you could make the argument that you increase from 11% up to 13-14%.

All that said, I still feed protein and believe like the rest of the folks stated, that it takes a few years other than a few deer that might hit abnormally often. I want to make sure the deer have a source of high protein food when they can't find anything...then I want them to come back to that spot in October!!!

[trophy8]

me and a buddy are headed down to fire up my protein feeders in mason in 2 weeks...i was down there 2 weeks ago and it wouldnt quit rainin long enough for me to do it! i always try and feed protein, whether it be pellets in a feeder or in a block, i always try to depending on how funds are....im only feeding it in the area where there is little to no huntin pressure where i set up a stand last year...main goal is to bring the big deer in and keep em there as long as possible.

[kornsqueezer]

Feeding a mixture of protein and corn right now. Refilled two feeders today.

[fox1]

Thanks for all the info. Trophy 8 what kind of block are you talking about? If that does away with having to buy more feeders that might be the way for me to go.

[Wilderjack]

Protein is good and needed or else the deer wouldn't eat it. I am on 220 acres and we are feeding protein for the first time and the deer are hammering it. They need it or else they wouldn't eat it. I am in the Hill Country so there is less natural protein than in S. TX. I have one protein feeder near the middle of the property and I have mineral licks and alfalfa bales out in another area. it won't cost me more than $1200 for the entire spring and summer (I estimate). If I reach that number, I stop, and that should be about August anyway. My property also has lots of water. At the end of the summer I will update as to wether it helped racks get bigger or not, but I don't see how it can't.

[fox1]

Yea wilderjack keep me posted on your results, i tried alfalfa last year and they barely touched it. I use mineral licks all the time, dont know if it helps there racks but they sure do hit it pretty hard if i can get the hogs to leave it alone.

[Wilderjack]

I will let you know. I put the alfalfa out this weekend, so I have no idea if they will touch it, but I'm trying. I got Trophy Rocks at Academy for $10.99 so it is no big loss if it doesn't help but I figure it has a little fo what they need in it. I don;t have many hogs for some reason but they may come, and I have no cows.

[M16]

Who feeds protien instead of corn this time of year. Ive got my feeders going with corn but was thinking about putting in some protien feeders, was wanting some opinions before going through the expense. Is it worth it or not?

You are probably too late for this year. It's best to have your protein out by January at the latest and year round is best. You may not see any results for several years. A deer reaches his maximum potential when he is never stressed for nutrition. A recent study says it won't do much good until the second generation has been on protein.

[fox1]

Thanks M16, i will probably stick to the corn for now unless i find what a Protein block is. Ill just use the extra money for new trail cameras or something and worry about Protein feeders next year.

[slayer]

throw protein from January to September!