Wondering what benefits those who feed year around notice in the deer? Bigger bodies, bigger antlers and so on. I will be starting to feed year around this year and I’m wondering what to expect. I plan on doing some green fields of some type with supplemental feeding also. Really like to hear what has worked best for y’all. I’m open for suggestions on what to plant and use for supplemental as well. Total acreage I plan to plant is around 10 acres, not all in one spot. The biggest spot is roughly 2 acres and the others range from half an acre to an acre and a half.

Might be more economical to just do supplemental feeding. Crops can be unpredictable. Weather doesnt hurt feeders.

Get a big feeder. Less trips to fill.

I’ll say the obvious- none of it will help the deer in terms of body or antler size. But that’s not a reason to avoid it. Just be realistic about it. Feed the deer to keep them around so you can kill them.

Corn and soybeans is great for warm season, but with those plot sizes the deer may eat them up quick.

It definitely can only help with the feed and high protein. But my experience is inline with what Remington said. Haven’t seen enough of anything to notice any difference.

Had a friend that used to work on a big ranch out in Texas. He said it takes 3 years of religiously feeding them, year round, before you will see any results.

It will take it a few years to show improvement.

You need two things (for certain) to grow big bucks.
1. Good genetics.
2. More birthdays.
You can argue that habitat and nutrition are important, but if you ain't got good genetics and trigger control, all else is futile.

We plant forage soybeans, throw a little clover in the fall fields that hopefully provide benefit Jan - May and then feed protein pellets during antler development / fawning period. As others have stated, I have heard that it takes about 3 -5 years. The goal is to begin feeding protein after the season to help the does that are carrying. Higher quality nutrition, creates healthy mother which creates healthy fawn which in theory means that you give the younger buck a better head start. Genetics pre-determine potential, age and nutrition can help that animal reach its potential.

It is nature and nothing is certain.

Genetics are like stats.
You got to have good dirt and age.

CORN.. LOTS OF CORN

High quality feed will help deer realize their full potential, and it takes about 5 years of year round feeding to truly see a difference. Don't expect to put out a feeder with protein and grow 150" bucks next year. It takes years and your area may not have that potential. The most important rule in management is - DEAD DEER DON'T GROW.

There’s been several studies on this. You shouldn’t expect a noticeable difference in a free range herd. Their diet is so diverse and seasonal. They still prefer to feed on native vegetation. If you want to impact body weights and antler size work on natural vegetation and habitat quality. Then give them birthdays. No amount of food will correct improper trigger management.

If you have many deer, a 2 acre plot will be just a snack unless you fence it until it has very substantial growth.
Been there done that