I’ve got almost 2.5 acres I plot every year. 2 years ago I had it all beans that I fenced off. I dropped the fence before season and it took the deer awhile to eat everything. This past year I sectioned off 4 squares and planted ww and clover in 2 and ww, radishes, and turnips in the other 2. Deer didn’t seek too interested in any of it til the cold and snow hit in early January. They piled in there then. Twice I sat my stand during that cold and had 20-30 deer gorging both times. I noticed tho when it began to warm up cam pics began to drop off to eventually almost zero. I went out to investigate and found the ww had been nipped off pretty close. The turnips were starting to mush and the radishes were complete garbage in that they’re now very soft and spongy. I’m guessing the deer don’t like eating that half rotted stuff. Aside from grain is there anything a guy can plant that will provide food through the late winter into early spring time period? Seeing those 20-30 deer a night was more a product of opportunity than a measure of deer numbers in the area. During season when it was warmer I’d still see 8-10 a night but nothing like what the cold and snow brought in. Just wondering if there’s something that will better withstand the cold temps and still be palatable. I’ll be tilling all the rotted in this spring which I don’t mind for soil but that ain’t what I planted it for.
northcedar
Well-Known Member
Here's my experience. The radish is for early season attraction. They love the greens. The tubers may get nibbled here and there, but don't bother entering that into your decision making. They will degrade to junk every winter. Turnips can also degrade by winter, but many years they don't. Even if they rot down some, they'll still be eaten by hungry deer. They deer also love the greens on them all fall long until they're gone. A good plot of turnips and winter rye will keep deer coming all winter. Maybe if a guy has just way too many deer, it won't last long enough.
Bassattackr
Well-Known Member
Similar experience this year. Turnips and radish both rotted early, despite planting later in the fall. Field was a ghost town.
Meanwhile, my neighbors bean field had 26 deer in it..
Meanwhile, my neighbors bean field had 26 deer in it..
Bucksnbears
Well-Known Member
Sugarbeets if you can grow them.
Or pumpkins.
Or pumpkins.