The white-tailed deer is the most popular big game species in Texas. Many landowners are interested in intensive deer management by increasing their habitat. Establishing supplemental forages for white-tailed deer is one tool in the tool box landowners are using to provide for this wildlife species.

The first thing that needs to be considered is a soil test. The soil test will determine pH requirements for the soil, as well as nutrient availability. The soil report will provide a guideline on how to improve soil conditions to make for a successful food plot for the white-tailed deer.

The next thing to consider is the site selection and size of the food plot. Food plot sizes will vary greatly around the region. Most food plots range from a half acre to more than three acres. Deer are more apt to feed along the edges of the plot rather than in the center. That said, it may be beneficial to have several smaller plots rather than one large plot.

A good rule of thumb is to plant 1 to 3 percent of the total habitat in both warm- and cool-season forages – for example, one to three acres of food plot established per every 100 acres of habitat. This may take some planning for the landowner to lay out where the best spots would be for food plots.

There is no one forage species that can satisfy all the nutrient requirements of a white-tailed deer throughout the year. For this reason, a mix of warm- and cool-season forage combination is recommended. The forage should increase the nutrition to the deer, be readily accepted by the deer, be available at times when native forage is lacking quality and quantity and be adapted to the region.

Alyceclover and forage cowpeas have been used successfully in trials with iron and clay peas performing well in East Texas trials as warm-season food plot varieties. Cool-season food plots include rye, wheat, oats, arrowleaf clover, ryegrass, subterranean clover, sweetclover and Austrian winter peas. These are suggested varieties that perform well in East Texas.

Many supply corn as a supplement food source for white-tailed deer in winter months. Deer are attracted to corn. Corn has a high carbohydrate content, making it sweet. Corn, however, has a low crude protein level – usually 7 to 9 percent – and it may be deficient in important amino acids. Corn can be used to increase energy especially during extremely cold periods.

Supplemental food plots and corn are commonly used in combination. Supplemental forages are not the cure-all for poor deer management practices. Without proper habitat management and population controls, food plot establishment is a waste of time and money for the hunter, landowner or deer manager.

Information in this article came from a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service publication “Supplemental Forage Management for East Texas White-Tailed Deer,” by Dr. Billy Higginbotham and Dr. James Kroll. For more information or a copy, contact our office at 903-590-2980. There are some handy charts in this publication as well that provide forage species, seeding rates, planting depth and other important information that may aid in planting a successful food plot for white-tailed deer.