Corn/Feed Prices

[HiredHand]

“Bread from air.”

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/03/fritz-haber-fertiliser-ammonia-centenary

 

[dennishoddy]

Get those varmint cages on your feeders. My corn consumption went down by half when they couldn't lick the spinners all night long.

 

[OKRuss]

These prices might make some folks learn how to really hunt. Planting food plots and hunting trails/travel corridors may become popular again.

Agree somewhat but then go price fertilizer for your food plots. I haven't bought seeds yet so hope by fall they won't have doubled too. I don't put out nearly the amount Retrieverman does but even the little amount will bring the deer to the food plots.

Dennis is spot on too - keep the deer from licking the spinner plate and the raccoons too.

 

[TedKennedy]

Agree somewhat but then go price fertilizer for your food plots. I haven't bought seeds yet so hope by fall they won't have doubled too. I don't put out nearly the amount Retrieverman does but even the little amount will bring the deer to the food plots.

Dennis is spot on too - keep the deer from licking the spinner plate and the raccoons too.

Acorn crops may be relevant again, lol.

I put in a couple small plots on one place I hunt, complete with feeders. Unless things really go sideways, I still plan on that.

The other place I hunt is 160 acres. 75% of it old growth oak and hickory. I'm already planning on spending some quality time squirrel hunting there, helps to see what and when things move in the woods.

 

[HiredHand]

So…. What types of native plant food sources do you look for around your hunting area? Mother Nature has to provide for deer and wildlife when you aren’t busy feeding them nitrogen fertilized corn.

 

[TedKennedy]

So…. What types of native plant food sources do you look for around your hunting? Mother Nature has to provide for deer and wildlife when you aren’t busy feeding them nitrogen fertilized corn.

White oak acorns trump everything where I hunt.

 

[HiredHand]

White oak acorns trump everything where I hunt.

The reason that I ask is because I’m really interested in the concept of planting more native species in urban and rural areas because there are tons of benefits for everything as a whole.

It sounds like it’s possible to replace the current concept of food plots to a more natural food source using native species which could reduce cost and maintenance.

https://www.nwtf.org/conservation/article/go-native-transform-traditional-food-plots
https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2012/03/stop-relying-invasive-weeds-grow-deer/

 

[OKRuss]

The reason that I ask is because I’m really interested in the concept of planting more native species in urban and rural areas because there are tons of benefits for everything as a whole.

It sounds like it’s possible to replace the current concept of food plots to a more natural food source using native species which could reduce cost and maintenance.

https://www.nwtf.org/conservation/article/go-native-transform-traditional-food-plots

You're absolutely correct. What did the deer eat before we invented feeders? They seemed to flourish without our "intervention". I don't know all the names for native species but briars are a big hit with the deer. Our goal is to remove the feeders entirely after the food plots are established and we have an annual plan for maintaining the plots in spring and fall.

In addition to our food plots, we are working with the ODWC and their Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program(WHIP) to increase the native species. Our first step is a prescribed burn and then on our heavily wooded areas, in addition to the leaf litter burn, going to thin out some trees to let light through the leaf canopy. We have a large number of oak trees on our 320 acres so mast is produced each year.

 

[retrieverman]

You're absolutely correct. What did the deer eat before we invented feeders? They seemed to flourish without our "intervention". I don't know all the names for native species but briars are a big hit with the deer. Our goal is to remove the feeders entirely after the food plots are established and we have an annual plan for maintaining the plots in spring and fall.

In addition to our food plots, we are working with the ODWC and their Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program(WHIP) to increase the native species. Our first step is a prescribed burn and then on our heavily wooded areas, in addition to the leaf litter burn, going to thin out some trees to let light through the leaf canopy. We have a large number of oak trees on our 320 acres so mast is produced each year.

I’m of the opinion that deer are still fourishing without our intervention. I believe that what we do as hunters is just a “treat” to wildlife. I don’t believe it’s possible or financially practical to feed a wild deer herd enough to have any significant effect except maybe with large year around food plots. I’m sure opinions on this will vary.
I can say definitively though that me nor my neighbors are feeding enough to maintain a herd of 130-160# does and 200-300# bucks that grow 150-170“ racks.

 

[TedKennedy]

Yep. My small plots/feeders basically lure deer in to areas they already frequented. Just keeps them there more reliably. The wheat and corn running from Dec on has to assist in winter survival though. (maybe not much, but it beats nothin')