Protein versus Food Plots??

[Huntingfool]

So in a discussion on another forum about what is better? Protein pellets or food plots (with irrigation).

I contend food plots are better since deer will spend hours grazing the plots -

With protein pellets in feeders my experience is (from thousands of camera pictures) is that the deer only ingest the pellets for 10-15 minutes - I think they ingest way more protein with nature browse and food plots than they do at a feeder.

I also contend that food plots are way less costly than pellets - a good food plot can last 3-5 years so no comparison on the cost IMO

Thoughts?

[Greenheadless]

I agree with your consensus.

[Mission408]

For me a feeder setup is cheaper because I don't have all the equipment to install a food plot

[Javelin]

A food plot will provide way more pounds of food over a year than protein

[doghouse]

I agree with you. The only problem in Mills county is timely rain. We didn't plant oats this year because of the lack of moisture. First time in many years.

[Spearchunker]

Food plots always win imo. Most feeders look alike and have lots of competition for the hole.

Once a neighbor hunter starts educating danger at the same look a like feed station they will start getting smarter about it.

In conclusion plots are more natural to them and easy to get them comfortable even with a little pressure time to time.

[retrieverman]

I feed protein every year in OK but plant food plots in years that moisture allows. Given the choice, I would much rather plant food plots, because I can plant protein a heck of a lot cheaper than I can dump it out of a sack.

Disclaimer that I have all the skill and equipment needed for food plots and even plant for other people as a side business…planted 8 plots yesterday.

[lovemylegacy]

You would be correct. Just on tonnage alone you save a mint. However, they both have their place.

[Drycreek3189]

You would be correct. Just on tonnage alone you save a mint. However, they both have their place.

Yes they do.

[Hayek'sPupil]

No guarantee that food plots come up. Protein in a feeder is always available so long as you fill em up

[hog_down]

What's needed for protein feeder: protein feeder, protein

What's needed for food plot: most importantly rain/some type of irrigation, tractor/side by side/ATV, seed, soil that is receptive to planting, fertilizer, fence around it if you have hogs, etc, etc

While I agree with you that a food plot has more advantages and puts out more food for deer, its also a ton more work and more expensive.

[txbowman12]

The unfortunate answer is you need both. In Texas at least, spring plots can be a PITA to fight weeds, and if you get enough rain, you probably aren't in dire need of your food plot because native browse will be healthy. If native browse is struggling, so will your food plot, this is where protein comes in.

Most years though you can get a fall food plot going, and I see way more deer on the rye and oats in January than I do at the protein feeder. Lot of deer don't get their turn at a protein station.

With irrigation and fencing, food plots win, but that's kind of like comparing a ferrari to a minivan in terms of cost and effort.

[bgleaton]

I agree with what most have said. We like to provide protein year-round as well as fall food plots (i.e. wheat, oats, silver river clover) to help them get through the winter and spring. Unfortunately, we do not get enough or timely rain so we get one good stand every 2 or 3 years. We aren't planting at all this fall just due to lack of moisture. One thing we have done in the past and have had success with is planting native perennials like bush sunflower, engelmann daisy, maximilian sunflower, illinois bundleflower, etc. These are all drought resistant and very high quality plants for deer.

[Huntingfool]

What's needed for protein feeder: protein feeder, protein

What's needed for food plot: most importantly rain/some type of irrigation, tractor/side by side/ATV, seed, soil that is receptive to planting, fertilizer, fence around it if you have hogs, etc, etc

While I agree with you that a food plot has more advantages and puts out more food for deer, its also a ton more work and more expensive.

Good points - you left off labor to fill protein feeders.

BUT if someone has the ATV the seed and fertilizer is not that expensive. The fence around it is a great point - but that is a one time expense.

The biggest difference IMO is the irrigation - the electricity is not cheap to run a pump for sure

So as the OP my point was this - if I had a choice (outside of the cost) and had to pick protein or plots I would choose plots

[brokeno]

The problem with food plots they are not growing when the deer are developing their headgear. Protein is available when they are growing their horns.