Cautions for High-Protein Feeding

Although feeding deer soybeans allows wildlife managers to increase the protein level available to their deer throughout the year, you must observe several precautions before you begin a feeding program.

• Check your state game regulations to make sure when you can and can’t feed deer and other wildlife. 

• Don’t institute this program during turkey season, if you live in a state where you can’t feed turkeys. The turkeys will eat the soybeans just like the deer. 

• Don’t expect the deer to start eating the soybeans as soon as you start feeding them. Mix corn in with your soybeans. As soon as you notice the deer eating the soybeans, begin to gradually decrease the amount of corn and increase the amount of soybeans.

• Set the timer on your feeder to feed the deer during the daylight hours so you can observe them. Using spin feeders as a management tool to inventory your deer herd prior to the season allows you to better determine your herd’s potential for that year.

• Remember that supplemental feeding doesn’t replace the need for fertilizing natural vegetation and planting food plots. Instead, consider supplemental feeding an added extra that can enable you to raise the nutritional level of your herd.