ttha_aggie_09 said:

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"Look at me I had rain in July"

But seriously, is that date right?

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Yes. We had a (surprise) good rain in July. Then rained 4" on Labor Day weekend.

Good for you guys!

joerobert_pete06 said:

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Good discussion taking place on my lease. Argument is is that now is the most important time to protein feed with the bucks finishing rut. Protein feed now and by the time they shed and grow new antlers late spring, they are healthy. Their is no point protein feeding once they start growing their antlers because you are already past that point.

What do yal think?

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I think you should look up msu deerlab podcast and website and you will get your answer. Based on science by the best guys in industry. Dr. Kroll is good too. Plus Georgia and Tennessee University programs. Texas atm Kingsville has some good stuff.

Respect your opinion. As I said in another post we have used both methods on our two ranches for many years.
I was also privileged to have worked with other ranches and implemented the same plan with the same results. Back in the early 80's the YO Ranch did a pretty detailed study on the same ( My roommate, also a Aggie, WB)
worked on that project. They had similar findings.
One of the key factors was the distribution of the feeders per acreage. Placement of more numerous feeders of spin cast type feeding provided better distribution than free choice bulk feeders while using the same amount of feed in total lbs.
Utilizing field observations along with video and still game cam data supported the findings that more different individual deer were able to utilize the feed than with bulk style feeders that used feeding tubes or troughs.
It should be also stated that the comparisons were not done in pens or small acreage enclosures..... but rather in fairly large tracts of land with the smallest acreages being 1000-1200 acres.
In earlier years the TPWD MLD programs required supplemental feeding as one of the management criteria in the plan. We utilized free choice bulk feeders for around 6-7 years per that plan at 1 free choice feeder per 100 -150 acres.
About 15 years ago we changed that distribution to 1 spin cast feeder per 80-100 acres. We fed the exact same amount as we did with the free choice per year..... same population densities...same average range conditions and natural food availability.
Our antler growth quality, doe/fawn ratios, body weights, and overall health of the entire heard increased with the use of the spin cast method of distribution..... and using the same feeds.
It has worked well for us and for some other ranches I have worked with and managed as well....always room for various opinions..... I spent the same dollars annually for feed either way.

ETA... I should stress the point that we fed the same amount in total lbs of feed annually with the free choice as we do now with the spin cast. So we don't limit the amount of feed we just feel it distributes it much better to non dominant animals.
I would agree with you 100% if we were limiting the poundage as compared to the free choice feeders.

The OB is made up mostly of outdoor boys and folks who enjoy Gods creation. We are also Aggies and should always remember we are all brothers.
Everyone may not always agree with me, nor I with them, but I would not hesitate for a moment to have the privilege to hunt or fish with any one of them.....

Does anyone ever notice a difference in 20% vs 16%? Obviously there is a 4% difference but didn't know if it truly has any difference when fed on low fence areas. I'm just trying to do something to help out my herd.

Adding on to the 16/20 question:

I've seen some people feed 14% creep feed in low fence pastures to save money since Double Down sure gets expensive. Is creep enough to help the deer?

Here's the exact feed: https://westfeeds.com/product/econo-creep-feed/

We were taught that, In theory, anything over 16% is lost. However that is in a perfect healthy range. Now this is just my opinion....using both, in our conditions, over the years, 20% has given our total herd better results.
I have worked on some other ranches that 16% worked just as well, albeit that had better diverse range conditions than us.
Your post is a great topic. Looking forward to hearing some comments from other folks with experience.

Just make sure any feed does not contain urea in it.

Gunny456 said:

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Just make sure any feed does not contain urea in it.

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