when do you start feeding protein?

[tuthdoc]

I totally disagree about no need to feed year round. If you want max benefit, then year round is the way to go. Growing horns isn't just from shedding to velvet. A buck that's in poor shape has to rebuild his body before giving the horns maximum nutrition. A buck that goes into the shedding period in great shape is going to grow a better set than he will if he's on his death bed from being run down and has to recoup that. They'll eat it year round for a reason....they need it. If they don't need it, they won't use it.

[Jen-Man]

I totally disagree about no need to feed year round. If you want max benefit, then year round is the way to go. Growing horns isn't just from shedding to velvet. A buck that's in poor shape has to rebuild his body before giving the horns maximum nutrition. A buck that goes into the shedding period in great shape is going to grow a better set than he will if he's on his death bed from being run down and has to recoup that. They'll eat it year round for a reason....they need it. If they don't need it, they won't use it.

Well said td.

[Tejas Wildlife]

Speaking as a professional, TD is right. Supplemental protein is exactly that.....supplemental. The 3 main facets to produce better deer is NUTRITION, AGE, & GENETICS.

[Welderman]

I agree with several things that have been said, corn by itself is bad, protein or food plots are supplemental and the main facets to producing better deer (antlers) is Nutrition, Age and Genetics.
For most of us, we can contribute to two of the three facets, Nutrition and Age. Genetics can be altered if you have the money and the control (100%) of the deer.
I would suggest that a person wanting to supplement the nutrion of the deer look at several things. It is proven that you can produce more available nutrion through food plots given the right circumstances and at a cheaper cost than from a sack. However food plots may not be a practical means especialy west of I35.
Bottom line is to keep some form of supplemental feeding available as often as possible.

[wheat]

I feed protein year around except durning the hunting seasons

[cmelara]

Thanks for all of y'alls input! It looks like we need to re-evaluate what we've been doing!! I'm looking forward to seeing the results next fall!!

[Peyton]

As stated above, if you wait to start feeding when the sheds drop (now), you are already way behind. The bucks needed the supplemental nutrients a long time ago.

Because of the drought we're in, supplemental feeding is especially important to the overall health of the deer and antler development. Without it, they have been stressed by the rut during a dry fall and winter, and most likely are still nutritionally stressed. Because of that stress, their antler development will suffer. There's a reason why protein pellets are often called "rain in a bag"

[axisfeeder]

I feed protein all year here in the Hill Country, the drought we are having now makes it even more important to help keep them alive. I also feed chaffhaye and corn, the axis and whitetail are very fat and healthy for being in a drought. The cost is part of being a good landstewart and my neighbors should be thankful also. If you travel IH 10 watch out around the 522, large axis crossing.

They need the supplement feeding all year, the axis have baby's every nine months and you always have bucks in velvet.

They taste alot better when they have fat on them!

[coach_stew]

good question and great info...