William I take your answer as it would not be a good investment on the leased land. If so I was leaning that way already. It already has a nice block of hardwood full of mature white oak, water oak and red oak. I think those cut lanes will be best utilized for natural browse. I'll get them in good condition so I can get my tractor down them and fertilize.

@earlpitts
Earl if you don't mind sharing, what kind of set up do you have? How many acres, feeding stations, how often you feed, time of year you keep feed out, what you put out, etc.
My club is going to get into this once the season ends and we are kicking around some ideas now

Thanks

Squeaky, I wouldn't plant trees on the leased land if it were me either. Not sure it's worth the time and effort it would take when there are other options, especially since it is leased and not owned. I always have turkeys in the back of my mind, even when making decisions to better the deer hunting, so if it were me I'd disk some of those lanes to get that early successional growth and fertilize some of the native plants that come up to provide extra nutrition for deer and turkey both. If it has a lot of oaks, there will be some food in the fall/ winter, so focusing on producing food in thinned pines should really help out in the spring/summer

Big Rack, feed year round , 8 feeding stations, 50% corn 50% protein, year round green fields, 7 mineral stations refreshed four time a year. Results- deer are nocturnal(no debate), doe's produce more twins, doe's reduce their range size, buck's do the same, antler development is somewhat improved over the past 10 years but not what you would expect. The deer's digestive system adapts to their food source. The deer do not over consume the corn or protein, they depend on hardwoods and green fields for complete diet. I will see doe's eating longer in green fields than at feeders. Those that pour corn to deer in large volume and then stop are actual causing the digestive system and deer an unhealthy environment and doing more harm than good. The concrete results "if you have doe's you will have bucks" that is the true outcome to year round supplemental feeding program plus healthy doe population that are "grounded"!

Big Rack, the pears, plums, persimmon, chestnuts and sawtooth round out the food supply.(all purchased from Allen at the Wildlife Group) It takes a lot of work, treasure and most of all a strong commitment to follow thru to get desired results and be fair to the wildlife at the same time. This is not a part time job.

Mackman, touch on the deer are nocturnal part? You think all that feed has caused your deer to only move at night or am I taking that wrong?

Yes, the large bucks are firmly adjusted to the night Life year round. The doe's will feed in the green fields in late afternoon but it is not routine, they too are fully adapted to nocturnal behavior. The rut started last week, we happen to have three rut period due to gene pool. Buck still wait till darkness has arrived to chase doe's. Last few evening I could see antlers but could not count or see points, but well above ears. I just don't pull trigger due to the risk of a bad shot/lost deer outcome.

I read a study a couple of years ago, I think it was out of Mississippi State, that said the best you could get out of protein pellets was 8-10" of antler growth above those without access to pellets. So, in optimal conditions, the exact same deer on protein pellets would score 130 instead of 120". I know there are entirely too many variables to make this scientifically correct.
Here is my personal experience: We have been feeding protein for 8 years. We have 10 feed stations, also have food plots, mineral sites(10). We usually start protein pellets in May-June and feed through October 1st. We don't have to mix with corn. We have had great years and down years. I feel it has a lot to do with the amount of rain we receive in spring and early summer. I know they are not getting all of their protein from the feed but mainly from native browse and I think that ties back to the amount of rain. The healthier the plant, the more available protein.
I had a deer on our property that feed incessantly on our feeding stations. I had over 2,000 pictures of this deer and he was a stud. If his home base feeder was empty he would find another until we replenished his home base feeder. I had him on 5 different feeding stations in the same night. He ended being killed by our neighbor and scored 141". The taxidermist said the deer was 2-1/2 years old. I believe genetics had a lot to do with his growth but I also think the protein pellets had a lot to do with it. He probably ate a ton of pellets by himself that year. Here is a picture of him. This was one of the good years. This year 2016-2017 we are in a mediocre year. We have some great bucks but not where we should be. We simply try to give them all available options.

If we fed protein at our place, then i think we would just have a team of bodybuilder raccoons. Seriously. They are everywhere at our place. I don't think we could afford to put in enough protein to have a noticeable effect on the deer. We ARE planning some raccoon hunts after deer season ends though!

Dog proof coon traps will wipe out coons a lot faster than hunting them although maybe not as fun.

my father-in-law is actually working on the traps as we speak... but I think we are still going to not miss the opportunity for some 'coon huntin' fun!