Deere Corn, 1 Shot Deal or Year-a-Round

[sweettractors]

I have watched a fellow manage his 1 acre food plot of Corn, surrounded by various specialty clovers and alfalfas. After of 1 year, he and his wife have killed a 8 point, the second year a 8 point and the third year a 11 point buck. All 3 were shot from the same stand overlooking the same food plot within 25 yards of each other. His procedure was to let the deer have about 50 % of the corn from the field itself and then he hand picked what was left and fed it over the following year in the same location. I know a lot of hunters that put out corn just before season and that is the end of it. What has been your experience, 1 shot deal or year round? Ken Sweet

 

[gauthier]

1 shot deal... Never even wanted to do that,but neighbors started feeding so,out of self defense,I did too.

Always managed to kill 1 or 2 nice bucks without feeding,now I kill more than that

 

[Bird]

Doesn't it just depend on whether you want deer coming there year round or not? I have a cousin who has 40 heavily wooded acres, surrounded by more of the same. There was a deer stand on the place when he bought it quite a few years ago, and as far as I know he still puts out deer corn year round, even though he's never shot at a deer; just likes to watch them.

 

[sweettractors]

For those who like to eat what they harvest, the more corn they eat annually, the less wild taste they have. Ken Sweet

 

[phiferpharm]

I guess I fall into the watching category. I put out feed several times a year and just enjoy seeing them come up to the back of the house. Now if I could just harvest the Gopher tortoise and send them to someplace else...

 

[grnspot110]

I have a small plot cleared out in the edge of a timber, across the ditch is a crop field. I try to keep it in red clover, alfalfa & turnips (usually a lot of weeds). Also a salt block in one corner. Just above it on the ridge (about 60 yards) is my "timber shack". Took the deer pictures last year; first is an 8 pt. that came within 40 ft. of me, second is a little fork-horn that was less than 30 ft. (out the door). I'm not a trophy hunter so the bigger one just got his picture taken, the little one isn't legal here (must have at least 4 pts. on one side). I prefer a couple of "yearlings", better eating.

My plot is all about "location", not what I plant! ~~ grnspot110

I've got a better camera this year, hope to get some "shots" tomorrow!

 

[jonyyuma]

Hunting around corn feeders here, "Can and May" cost you firearm and a trip to see the Judge... even on private property. Yes ,a cornfed deer is tasty, but let it run out before season.Yearlings seem to taste a lot better..They are creatures of habit, they will still come..like us? Jy.

 

[RobertN]

I guess I am just the odd one out. I like deer, because, it has flavor(ie some gamey flavor). I think most of the flavor is fed out of most meat when the animal has been corn/grain fed, as compared to just pastured.

Kinda like free-range chicken vs grain fed chicken.

Most of the really gamey taste I have had, ws poor prep/cooking, or poor handling from time of shot to butchering.

IMHO, of course

For those who like to eat what they harvest, the more corn they eat annually, the less wild taste they have. Ken Sweet

 

[/pine]

If you want to put some weight on the deer...plant some (early and late season) soy beans...

 

[om21braz]

Folks around here are about half and half. The serious trophy hunters are typically the all-year feeders. The game cameras take alot of the guesswork out of trophy hunting now though.