As any experienced food plotter knows, providing consistent nutrition for your deer is essential to maintaining a healthy herd. Creating a year-round food plot strategy can significantly impact deer health, antler growth, and population sustainability. A balanced, year-round food plot plan not only supports deer health but also keeps them on your property, increasing your chances of observing and harvesting a mature buck during hunting season. Each season on the calendar has unique nutritional demands for deer.
Let’s look at specific planting strategies and crop types that cater to the changing needs of whitetails throughout the year. Here’s a guide on how to plan for each season to ensure your whitetail deer have access to the nutrition they need year-round.
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Spring: Renewal and Recovery
In spring, bucks begin regenerating antlers, while does prepare for fawning. This period requires high-protein, nutrient-dense food sources to support antler growth and fawn development.
Clover, chicory, and alfalfa are ideal for spring planting as they are high in protein and are some of the first crops to emerge. These forages also encourage steady grazing, which helps deer recover from winter. Tecomate food plot seeds such as Monster Mix, King Ladino White Clover, Champion Chicory, Alfa-Feast, and Rackup Red Clover are ideal spring food plot seed mixes.
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Summer: Antler and Body Growth
By summer, bucks are in peak antler-growing mode and does are lactating to feed fawns. High-protein and mineral-rich plants are essential to support muscle and skeletal development during this season.
Soybeans, lablab, cowpeas, and sunn hemp are excellent high protein summer choices and provide excellent forage throughout the warm summer months. In the Tecomate seed mixes such as Lablab, Lablab Plus, GT Forage Soybeans, and Hornmaker Xtreme fit the bill perfectly for a protein rich summer food plot.
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Fall: Attraction and Winter
Prep As fall approaches, deer switch to consuming high-carbohydrate foods to build fat reserves for winter. The energy from these carbohydrates’ fuels deer through the rut and provides insulation during colder months.
Corn, brassicas (such as turnips, radishes, and kale), and cereal grains are effective options for fall plots. These plants are rich in carbohydrates and will remain attractive as other food sources begin to die back. Tecomate has plenty of food plot seeds options for fall planting such as Greenfield, Max-Attract, Tecomate Forage Oats, and Root King Radish, just to name a few.
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Winter: Sustaining Body Weight
Winter can be a challenging time, especially if natural forage is limited. High-energy food plots can be crucial for deer survival and health as they burn calories to stay warm. This is the time of year when it is important for your food plots to provide that extra food when natural food sources are scarce.
Most of the fall crops that were mentioned will still be important during the winter months, but especially brassicas that provide not only forage leaves but also bulbs that the deer can dig up and feed on. Cereal grains are another important food source during this time of year, especially cereal rye and winter wheat. Again, Max-Attract and Greenfield are great choices that provide plenty of food into the winter months, but also products like Ultra-Forage, Turbo Turnip, and Brassica Banquet really shine during this time of year.
Establishing a variety of seasonal plots with diverse plantings gives deer access to a balanced diet throughout the year, supporting better antler growth, herd health, and overall deer density on your land. Not only will this approach improve your hunting opportunities, but it will also contribute to a healthier, more stable deer population that thrives year after year. With careful planning and consistent upkeep, your food plots can be a valuable resource that benefits both the deer and your success as a hunter. Good luck and happy hunting!
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