What do deer like to eat that I can provide?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Clover, clover, and more clover
You better check your local laws about "bait" food for deer...if they are none..plant a nice patch of clover, with a salt lick in the middle, that'll be sure to get em' in.
 
They also like rape(a turnip like plant)chickery,and alfalfa.
They eat the rape in the winter,along with sugerbeets.
If you have wooded property try thinning it out to promote underbrush and natural browse..
 
Acorns, at least in texas. They seem to like apples too.

They seem to prefer acorns over just about anything else placed out, such as corn or apples/fruit. For planting, clover is good. There's some seed mixes out, but do some research--most anything in those expensive packs can be found cheaper at the feed and seed (I'm thinking they like new shoot of cotton?? Hmm, I'll need to look that up.)
 
Another surprise for attractant would be peanut butter mixed with apple juice. I know it's not a "food" if you are planning on nutrition, but for an attractant it can do a hell of a job. Mix them to the consistency you like and poke a hole in a small bucket. Hang it where the sun will warm it and it will drip down. I've had Axis and White-tail deer tear up an area after that. It does take some time for them to find, but they love it when they do.
 
I found an apple tree while hunting on private land this season. I shook about 10-20 out of the tree. On the next visit, they were all gone. Never did see any deer, but the results speak for themself. Something ate them. It may have been a bear, elk or deer. Didn't matter, I had all three tags, just had to be in the right season is all. I did not get my deer under said tree this year, however, I did visit that tree at least three times. Each time, the apples shaken out from the previous days trip were gone, all gone.

If you're not allowed to bait, don't do such and find the natural sources and give them a try. Oak trees (acorns), apple trees and elderberries are prevalent in Eastern Oregon. My BIL killed himself a weighty 3x3 last year in an oak grove right at dusk. Wheat fields and good grass do the trick too, but they're typically not in places you can camp out because their fields, they are everywhere once you get out of the mountains.

I planted half of one of those game salt licks last year during deer season, only to find out I was out of bounds for my Elk unit...drat. Regardless, I don't mind doing this for it provides sustenance to the whole population that comes across it, not just the animal I hope to harvest.

I realize food plots is more harvesting than hunting, but the animals get fed well and you don't harvest every one that benefits from the feed. This may mean the difference for surviving the winter for some of them.
 
They seem to like the peaches off the two trees in my backyard........and my grapevines!!!!!:banghead:

honeysuckle, Wild muscadine or other grapes too.........
 
They also like peanut butter w/o apple juice. Apples are sure high on the menu but I think they become addicted to peanut butter. Probably the taste and the salt.

On sale around here 24 jars of the generic stuff can be had for less than 24 dollars. Lots cheaper and much less weight to move than corn, beans or pellets and it seems to put them in front a trail cam just as well.

You can also find out how many racoons are in the area using it.



Best
S-
 
Hmmm, I dislike Raccoons some. Note: bring the 10/22 along. I just use the apple juice to thin the peanut butter so it can slowly drip from the bucket. I figured I might as well add something that they might like if I was going to thin it.
 
"Nobody mentioned oats. Planting oats used to be THE thing to do in Texas before someone invented the automatic feeder."

Bingo, i plant oats and the deer like it much better than wheat. They often leave the bumper acorn crop to get some oats. Do not buy the expensive seed: Just get race horse oats from the CO-OP-it groes just as well.
 
"You said Rape twice"

"I like rape"

Two Internet points if you can guess the movie!

BLAZING SADDLES is the movie.
 
I have some diseased apple trees that they love. Walnuts I never collect. A few rows of corn to keep them coming back regularly. They get the apples, walnuts and corn I get the venison. Nature has a way of working things out.

But they will eat nearly any non-heavy acid fruit grown in North America. One year they ate all my peaches in a single summer night. There were pits lying everywhere all over the ground.

They stay out of the vegetable garden by and large.

Edit: With the drought in the south they are eating many other things as well. I noticed them snacking on the day lillies that they don't normally eat at my place.
 
Corn and apples, as mentioned above.

And carrots...

Remember w/ the apples and carrots to break them up a bit so they smell them and know they're there.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Hog Hunting In Arkansas
Replies
9
Views
800
dalegann
D
Grayrock
  • Locked
Hunting/cooking with acorns
Replies
7
Views
534
4v50 Gary
4v50 Gary
S
  • Locked
What to put in a deer feeder?
Replies
13
Views
4K
Sunray
S
S
  • Locked
Most Disappointing Opening Day in Years
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
H
  • Locked
Skinning a deer ?
Replies
7
Views
869
usmccpl
U
Back
Top