Supplemental feeding is very expensive when done correctly. Will cost over $200/deer annually to feed. Keep in mind...
Feed year-round, not seasonally. Bucks, does and fawns can benefit from the energy and nutrition.
Make it available free choice in trough or gravity feeders. Caution...this may turn a mild hog problem into an epidemic.
Maintain 1 feeder per 100 acres
Deer will eat 1.5 - 2 pounds of protein feed per day. Varmints will also eat over and above that. Trapping hogs and raccoons may become a necessity.

Here is a conservative cost estimate to feed on a 1,000-ac property with a herd density of 25 deer/sq mi.
10 free choice feeders (1 per 100 ac). Should be available 24/7/365.
Herd = 39 deer (25/sq mi = 1 deer per 25.6 acres).
Daily consumption = 78 pounds of protein feed. (2 pounds/deer; does not include feed eaten by varmints).
Annual consumption = 28,470 pounds (570 bags)
Annual feed cost = $10,260 (570 bags @ $18 ea.)
Cost/Deer = $263/year not including labor and feed lost to varmints.

My advice is to put your resources into habitat improvements.

Last edited by WildlifeBiologist; 05/25/20 08:09 PM.