Deer hunting is a well-loved pastime here in the Ozarks. Not only is dressing up in camouflage and heading out to the woods with a rifle or a bow a good way to harvest meat for your family, but it is also a great way to make and share memories; many people can tell their grandchildren how their grandpa took them out hunting. If you live on a farm, chances are that you want to promote the recreational activity of deer hunting, while still balancing your farm management practices. The good news is, you can do both.
Pastures: “Remember deer need quality food, cover and water,” said Dr. Grant Woods, Wildlife Biologist and host of GrowingDeer.tv from Reeds Spring, Mo. Quality food is where your pastures can come in – you can plant legumes for your livestock that will also draw in deer. Clover is a prime choice; white clover, for example, has a higher nutritional value than grass due to its high levels of protein and its lower structural fiber, according to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Clover can be a relatively cheap seed, and is often ‘frost seeded,’ which means that the seed is broadcast onto grass pastures in late winter or early spring and is allowed to continually freeze and then thaw, leading to seed germination. The result is a lush, perennial pasture that features a mixture of grass and clover that is appealing to both livestock and whitetail deer.
Another legume option that can really draw the deer and increase weight gain on your livestock is forage soybeans. Animals can eat both the leaves and the pods of forage soybeans, encouraging total utilization of the plant. Soybeans contain more than 20 percent crude protein, which is an attractive option to a deer that needs a minimum of 17 percent crude protein year round for optimal weight gain and antler growth. It is also attractive to farmers who want their livestock to reach a healthy market weight.
No matter what you plant, however, you cannot have quality forages without good soil. “Plants are nutrient transfer agents,” Dr. Woods said. “Do a quality soil test annually.” He noted that better soil will lead to bigger antlers. After you ensure the quality of your soil, you can select crops that will keep it healthy. Caleb Howerton, Ranch Manager at Elkhead Ranch Hunting Retreat in Bruner, Mo., said that “The beneficial bacteria that work with the legumes trap nitrogen in the soil year after year, producing better yields annually in both forage and deer.” At Hickory Ridge Hunting Ranch in Lamar, Okla., cruciferous vegetables are often planted to attract deer and improve soil. “Radishes and turnips can break up the soil so it’s not as hard,” said Marketing Director, Joshua Jones, “and they add nutrients back.”
Mineral: Mineral is just as important for deer as it is for livestock. Dr. Woods recommends keeping mineral available year round. This can be as simple as letting the deer have access to your livestock’s mineral blocks – catching a glimpse of a whitetail deer sharing a block in a pasture with horses or cattle is not an uncommon sight. You can also purchase deer-specific mineral blocks; Trophy Rocks and Rack Rocks are both good choices. Joshua Jones also suggests creating a mineral lick area.
Observation: Just like you would observe your livestock, it’s a good idea to observe your deer. Learn their patterns and habits on the layout of your property; this will help you when hunting season arrives. You can also set up a test site to see how much the deer are browsing: simply fence off a small section of forage, and use the untouched area to measure how much the deer are eating outside the test site.
