Favorite winter deer food plot?

[Gom]

I had good results with a winter seed mix from my local feed store last year. This year I will be using it again , but only in clearing edges and trails. I want to use something different for my feeder pens, something deer really seek out. Maybe even a single variety of a plant instead of another mix? Any suggestions on what would be an deer favorite that is frost free and keep them coming thru the winter? Hunting in Freestone county.

[xman59]

austrian winter peas,,, those things will spout from a desk top with natural dust fall and high humidity!!! iv been using them for several years, i dont even plant them just through them out, if they touch durt and get a heavy dew the will come up, and deer love them!!! as do rabbits

[elkbowhunter]

following.......

[joebriles]

This Austrian winter pea has me intrigued. I might give these a try in a few places this year along some well traveled trails I have found.

Here is some info I found on them if it helps anyone out.

[popup_menace]

I may be buying Austrian winter peas after reading about them...

[EastTx]

Just a FYI. If you plant the Austrian Winter peas in a plot any smaller than a couple of acres they will more than likely be wiped out. Best to plant them with a mix of Oats, Wheat, or Rye for a backup. I plant them most years and deer do love them but they are very susceptible to overgrazing in their early growth stage.

[popup_menace]

Just a FYI. If you plant the Austrian Winter peas in a plot any smaller than a couple of acres they will more than likely be wiped out. Best to plant them with a mix of Oats, Wheat, or Rye for a backup. I plant them most years and deer do love them but they are very susceptible to overgrazing in their early growth stage.

That's an awesome problem to have!

[elkbowhunter]

Just a FYI. If you plant the Austrian Winter peas in a plot any smaller than a couple of acres they will more than likely be wiped out. Best to plant them with a mix of Oats, Wheat, or Rye for a backup. I plant them most years and deer do love them but they are very susceptible to overgrazing in their early growth stage.

thanks! what is your method planting...of disking, tilling and planting depths etc...for seeds for Austrian winter peas and Oats,wheat, rye....full sun or partial sun etc??

[Gom]

austrian winter peas,,, those things will spout from a desk top with natural dust fall and high humidity!!! iv been using them for several years, i dont even plant them just through them out, if they touch durt and get a heavy dew the will come up, and deer love them!!! as do rabbits

Sounds good. Are they readilyavailable at most feed stores or did you find them online?

[EastTx]

That's an awesome problem to have!

True, but on a small plot it can happen overnight. Without a mix you are left with nothing.

[BIG BONE]

straight up buck forage oats in the past for me

[EastTx]

thanks! what is your method planting...of disking, tilling and planting depths etc...for seeds for Austrian winter peas and Oats,wheat, rye....full sun or partial sun etc??

I fertilize the area I am planting and then disk the fertilize under. I then either use a seed drill or hand broadcast the seeds depending on the size of the plot. If I hand broadcast a plot I lightly disk the seeds in. You want to shoot for a seeding depth of 1 to 2 inches. I fertilize again about 2 to 3 weeks after they sprout. They will grow in lightly shaded areas but do best in full sun. The mix I use is winter hardy oats 50-75 lbs per acre with Austrian Winter peas 25 lbs per acre. Iron and Clay Cowpeas can also be used in the mix but will die with the first hard frost. I try to plant ahead of a wet forecast in the middle or towards the end of September.

[AntlerCollector]

I think I will try this

[elkbowhunter]

thanks East Tx!

[courtatlawjudge]

I'm afraid that even a big feeder pen is too small. THe deer will trample the seedlings and the compaction of the soil caused by deer hooves is way underestimated. Think of a woman on high heels and that is about what you get in the average food plot of good size. We chisel plow everycouple of years a 30 acre plot because of soil compaction. Don't mean to be a killjoy but don't want to see you working hard on a feed pen to be disappointed. Most of them are bare dirt from the hooves not the eating.