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Tennessee Hunting Forums
Quality Deer Management
Tell me the truth
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<blockquote data-quote="DeerCamp" data-source="post: 5054072" data-attributes="member: 21011"><p>I recall reading a study that was comparing deer eating only natural forage vs deer being fed high protein supplemental feed.</p><p></p><p>What it showed was pretty simple:</p><p>1. The difference varies (a LOT) by year, mostly due to environmental factors. In years with good rainfall, good crops, no late frosts, the difference was minimal. In poor years, the difference was noticeable.</p><p></p><p>2. On average, the antler difference between natural vs pellet was about 5 inches B&C, with some outliers. I think this was bucks from the Delta, so probably applicable to here. </p><p></p><p>3. All of this was done in a controlled environment we simply can't replicate in the wild. Unless you own 1000's of acres and plan to spend 5 digits feeding, I don't expect you will see any difference.</p><p></p><p>That's not to say there is NO benefit - but at what cost(literally)? And what happens if you support carrying capacity and then stop suddenly? Are you increasing the chance of spreading disease? Are you making predation easier by concentrating deer?</p><p></p><p>My 2 cents - I'd take the money you would spend on supplemental feeding, use it to improve habitat and reap the benefits without having to refill feeders every other week <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DeerCamp, post: 5054072, member: 21011"] I recall reading a study that was comparing deer eating only natural forage vs deer being fed high protein supplemental feed. What it showed was pretty simple: 1. The difference varies (a LOT) by year, mostly due to environmental factors. In years with good rainfall, good crops, no late frosts, the difference was minimal. In poor years, the difference was noticeable. 2. On average, the antler difference between natural vs pellet was about 5 inches B&C, with some outliers. I think this was bucks from the Delta, so probably applicable to here. 3. All of this was done in a controlled environment we simply can't replicate in the wild. Unless you own 1000's of acres and plan to spend 5 digits feeding, I don't expect you will see any difference. That's not to say there is NO benefit - but at what cost(literally)? And what happens if you support carrying capacity and then stop suddenly? Are you increasing the chance of spreading disease? Are you making predation easier by concentrating deer? My 2 cents - I'd take the money you would spend on supplemental feeding, use it to improve habitat and reap the benefits without having to refill feeders every other week :) [/QUOTE]
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