Started By
Message

Protein feed deer

Posted on 2/24/21 at 11:07 am
Posted by Lsutmorg
Member since Jun 2015
399 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 11:07 am
When to start feeding and what brands? Also would soy beans help horn growth?
Posted by Stexas
SWLA
Member since May 2013
6965 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 11:17 am to
we feed protein yr round... it doesn't get used much during pre-rut, but I've seen does and bucks hit protein during rut and immediately following. It kind of also depends on your ratios, we keep them fairly tight so we deal with really aggressive behavior so they fight hard and are worn down when it's over. Matter of fact, my largest buck was killed right after he jumped out of our protein feeder pin during rut.

Not sure I can recommend a specific brand other that we use Lyssy and Eckel's and if you're not near them it wouldn't be worth it I can't imagine.

Soy beans are around 35-45% protein content so they do help antler growth. I find if they have natural browse that has decent protein, they'll only lightly touch straight soy beans at least in our areas in South Texas. I don't have any experience with the roasted or flavored varieties.
This post was edited on 2/24/21 at 11:18 am
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
4141 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 11:24 am to
As soon as the rut/cold weather is over is when you want to swap from carbs to protein.
Start with mixing corn and protein then to straight protein. Purina antler max with the rain sheild is what we use it’s not much more than any of the cheapest and I find it doesn’t clump up like some of the others we tried.
Posted by SoFla Tideroller
South Florida
Member since Apr 2010
40440 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 11:51 am to
I've put out protein pellets in my feeders during the spring and summer in southeast Alabama and it would never get touched. I started just storing my feeders until October.
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32604 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 12:50 pm to
I feed protein march-oct. Then corn oct-feb.

Antlermax is what i use
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32604 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 1:03 pm to
quote:

I've put out protein pellets in my feeders during the spring and summer in southeast Alabama and it would never get touched. I started just storing my feeders until October.



Im in south ms... they wouldnt touch mine at first. Mixed it with 50% corn for next few weeks. After a bout a month, i was pouring 100% antlermax and they were destroying it
Posted by bayoudude
Member since Dec 2007
25894 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 1:09 pm to
Oleyeller did it make any noticeable difference in the heard? In south MS as well and thinking of trying as I typ just corn feed year round
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32604 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 1:34 pm to
This past summer was my first year feeding protein. So im not sure in the big difference as far as horn size or anything yet. But rather coincidence or not, i held a ton more deer on our 200acres than i have over the past 5 years. On a good day i would normally see 5 or 6 deer on a hunt. This year i was seeing double digit deer every hunt oct-dec.. one hunt had 18 in the plot at one time. So im not sure if protein feeding kept them around, kept them healthy, or what... but im going to continue. It not only helps with antler developmemt but fawn development and preg does.
Posted by Icansee4miles
Trolling the Tickfaw
Member since Jan 2007
32117 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 1:43 pm to
Good luck on soybeans. Prices are skyrocketing, I suspect the new biofuels venture that plans on running on soybean oil is scooping up futures. Everything I’ve read says 16-20% protein is the right range, I just put out a couple different types, one 18%, the other 20%. Using gravity feeders, loaded in a couple bags of corn first (they were emptied during the cold weather) to get them started on the pellets. The 50# bags were $12 each at the local Co-op.
Posted by bayoudude
Member since Dec 2007
25894 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 1:58 pm to
quote:

On a good day i would normally see 5 or 6 deer on a hunt. This year i was seeing double digit deer every hunt oct-dec.. one hunt had 18 in the plot at one time.


Damn! I saw zero deer off the stand during daylight this year on my 130 acres. Close to 20 different deer an camera at night though. Definitely disappointed to say the least. Sit with night vision for hogs and watch four or five browse the plot and feeder
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32604 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 6:54 pm to
Haha i hear ya, again. Not saying me feeding protein made all those deer come/stay. Could be pure coincidence. But one things for sure, it didnt hurt. And i feel like i am helping my future herd by feeding, and gives me something to do during summer months.
Posted by plazadweller
South Georgia
Member since Jul 2011
12383 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 8:01 pm to
I’m actually about to start putting out protein and will be shopping around to see who will give me the best deal on pallets
Posted by turkish
Member since Aug 2016
2358 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 8:26 pm to
Unless you’re buying it by the semi-load, you’re wasting your time.
This post was edited on 2/24/21 at 8:27 pm
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20769 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 9:08 pm to
How do you keep the coons from devouring it?

You feeding it in gravity?
This post was edited on 2/24/21 at 9:55 pm
Posted by ABucks11
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2012
1236 posts
Posted on 2/24/21 at 9:10 pm to
quote:

saw zero deer off the stand during daylight this year on my 130 acres.


If they are moving at night in plots, then hunt farther in the woods and catch them moving in daylight
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32604 posts
Posted on 2/25/21 at 11:39 am to
quote:

How do you keep the coons from devouring it?

You feeding it in gravity?


Naw, built a trough feeder. Ive honestly not noticed many coons giving me problems. Keep cameras on it, had one or 2. But never like when i have corn out
Posted by mtb010
San Antonio
Member since Sep 2009
6389 posts
Posted on 2/25/21 at 12:34 pm to
quote:

Im in south ms... they wouldnt touch mine at first. Mixed it with 50% corn for next few weeks. After a bout a month, i was pouring 100% antlermax and they were destroying it


This, i have a trough feeder and i had to mix in corn with the protein feed to keep them interested
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20769 posts
Posted on 2/25/21 at 1:18 pm to
Have any good plans for a trough? I need to build a couple.
Posted by Mett's Stache
Member since Sep 2012
473 posts
Posted on 2/25/21 at 1:26 pm to
Do you have hogs? I've got them at my place but seeing them less frequently this year. I want to put out protein for deer but don't want to feed hogs.
This post was edited on 2/25/21 at 1:29 pm
Posted by boudinman
Member since Nov 2019
6101 posts
Posted on 2/25/21 at 1:43 pm to
Right now im running 50-50 corn/soybeans in a broadcast feeder. Coons won't touch soybeans. Will switch to the purina antlermax watershield once i use all of my soybeans. Already told my farmer friend i want to buy 2-3 barrels from him this fall at harvest time. 55 gal drum $45. Ive my own barrrels.
This post was edited on 2/25/21 at 3:55 pm
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram