Nutrition for deer

[babyburb]

Here is my delima. I put up a trail camera a couple of weeks ago and shot several deer. They are all just skin and bones. I thought they would have been bigger than they are. Last year I planted a food plot and it was NEVER touched. They come to corn and seem to eat it well but it will corn put some body mass on these deer? Besides food plots, what else could I do to get these deer from looking like the Olsen twins? It must be cost effective too. Whatever it is I would like to do it year round.

Any ideas?

 

[onlychevy6]

What type of area do you have for the deer. Is it like you back yard or a field?

 

[babyburb]

The actual area is a 35 acre extremely thick hardwood area. There are fields everywhere and pockets of these woods that hold alot of deer.

 

[chalet2506]

Here is my delima. I put up a trail camera a couple of weeks ago and shot several deer. They are all just skin and bones. I thought they would have been bigger than they are. Last year I planted a food plot and it was NEVER touched. They come to corn and seem to eat it well but it will corn put some body mass on these deer? Besides food plots, what else could I do to get these deer from looking like the Olsen twins? It must be cost effective too. Whatever it is I would like to do it year round.

Any ideas?

That's odd with all the rain we've had this year. I figured that I'd be looking at little heifer size deer whenever the season starts up. I know some guys who have planted those food plots next to wheat fields, and the deer won't touch the food plots. So maybe trying sewing some wheat or oats instead. The green stuff definitely puts the weight on cows.

Also, my dad always claimed that corn isnt all that good for deer, they just like the way it tastes. You can try one of those gravity fed type protein feeders instead.

 

[babyburb]

I thought about the gravity protein feeders. I think I might look into it. I have never really hunted over corn or set up a feeder for any length of time. Really just to get them to come in front of my cameras.

I'll look into it.

 

[Jimbo*]

Given your location, I'll bet your deer have intestinal worms or parasites. Fence out a small area, 30' x 30' or so, HOGPROOF, and begin feeding them. Go to your local feed store and buy a bag of corn, Purina Deer Chow, etc... Keep trying till you find something they like, then buy a "worm block for sheep and goats". It will be high in molasses content, and the deer will nibble on it when they come in to eat at the buffet.
It seems the wettest years are the worst for the wildlife because there are unusual weeds that grow, and while wet, sweet and sappy, they have little protien value.

Jimbo

 

[babyburb]

I just started thinking about that a couple of days ago about them having worms or something but had no clue I could do anything about it. I'll see what I can do.

Thanks jimbo

 

[Big Blzn]

Don't know how much deer will visit a food plot of there are ag crops growing near by or there is a heavy acorn drop. Do what you can afford to do with additional feeds etc. They very well just may be sick deer.