Dove season has started, and that means it’s time to shoot some birds, but for many of us hunters, it also means it’s time to prep for deer season.
For those of you who hunt with deer feeders, there are a few things I’d like you to consider:
The recent drought has proven to be detrimental to the white-tailed deer population. Water sources are becoming increasingly scarce, and most food plots withered and died from the heat months ago.
So don’t expect to see any trophy bucks this year. You’re more likely to find walking pieces of jerky that once resembled a healthy whitetail.
For all of us hunters, it will be extremely important to get out this season and cull the herds, because whatever food is left, it will not be nearly enough to go around. And another important way for you to help the population recover is by kissing corn goodbye.
Here’s why: Corn actually contains a high level of afla-toxins that can eventually be harmful to the deer, not to mention that it has virtually no nutritional value whatsoever. It’s basically like candy.
Feeding it to them in a normal season is more than fine, because they are able to get their vitamins and protein elsewhere. But this year, whatever you're feeding them may in fact be their only meal.
Instead, consider shelling out a few extra shekels to buy something that can benefit you both. Corn alternatives can give the deer the nutrition they need and help the bucks bulk back up and grow some decent antler mass.
Black-eyed peas, raw soybeans, protein pellets, sweet feed, dried peas and even alfalfa provide 10 times the nutrition that corn does. They are more expensive, but not by too much.
As many of you know, the price of corn is directly related to the price of gasoline due to ethanol production. Deer corn was hovering around 10 bucks for a 50-pound bag in mid-September. This time last year, I was buying it in bulk for $4.50, so you do the math.
For more information on drought-busting whitetail feeds, contact Jupe Mills Feed in Helotes. They’re extremely knowledgeable on the subject and carry a variety of corn alternatives. Click on their website for more information: http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/feeds_grains.shtml.
Matthew Cockrell writes about the outdoors for Kens5.com.
