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cAN U CHANGE THEM

I'm far from a biologist but I imagine over time you'd see a slight increase in antler size from a supplemental feeding program done right. If bucks have plenty of eat after getting run down from the rut seems like they'd put on more bone the next growing season. I would think improving your habitat to its peak potential would far exceed some supplemental protein feeding though. Unless you are managing a few thousand acres though your neighbors may make it tough to ever see much improvement.
 
In a word, yes. But there are caveats. You need enough acreage to encompass their entire range to keep them alive, have comprehensive habitat management plans, and be willing to spend the money it's going to take for the long term project that it will be. If you're lacking in any one of those areas then you're wasting time and money.

It's not as easy as putting high dollar protein pellets in a feeder then next year having a giant. What everyone seems to ignore is that it's epidemic, not genetics that make bigger racks. You have to create an environment where generations of does are beyond healthy and safe with no competition or hardships. That takes several years. All the while you've got to keep the population at or below carry capacity, which means killing a lot of deer. But eventually after several generations of does being at pinnacle health, their buck offspring will grow noticeably larger racks. There's a WHOLE LOT more to it than 99.9% of hunters can reasonably achieve. I'd guess you're looking probably six figures annually if you count mortgage, taxes, management executions, and lastly feed. Good idea in theory and some farms actually achieve it, but for most of us it's a pipe dream.
 
IMO best thing most of us can do is use tags on old bucks that aren't big while saving young bucks that are. Take a reasonable approach to habitat enhancement and reasonable approach to harvest management, and within a few years you'll see bigger bucks because you're creating an inviting environment and allowing bucks to live long enough to reach their potential. Easy concept but for whatever reason even that is more than most hunters are willing to do.

Everybody sees a big 3yr old 10pt and they shoot first chance they get, ignoring that in two more years that buck would be truly trophy size, not just big. Yes there's a very real possibility he'll get killed by someone else but that's just part of the game of trying to increase trophy potential. I lose probably 80% of bucks before they reach 5yrs old, but of that 20% survivors about half become true giants. About every other year I have a giant to hunt. I don't always get him but at least I have one to chase and dream about. And often enough I do kill him. Makes it all worthwhile.
 
I used to hunt 150acres surrounded by 750acres that hunting was not allowed. I harvested really nice mature bucks on this property. Had a couple of 160" deer killed on the property and also found sheds of +170" deer. The bucks have to reach 4.5yrs old to start having larger racks. This property was great to hunt during the rut. After the rut, you would see typical small bucks and does. This is the only property I have ever hunted with quality of bucks on it. The owner passed and left it to an individual who does not allow hunting. This property spoiled my dad and I. Since 2014, I have not seen anything that really excites me. I pass on 8/10ptrs that are 3.5yr old only for them to be shot on a neighboring property. If you can't get neighboring properties on board, IMO you are wasting money. The bucks have to reach their prime to have large antlers. I drive by this property everyday and just dream about what is running through the woods.
 
More to it then just the feed itself. And the amount of money it would take in feed would be a big number and that money could be used in habitat improvements that in the long run is light years better for everything.
 
diamond hunter said:
Can you change the bucks on your property by feeding them an expensive more protein rich or mineral rich feed? I mean change antler growth even 10"
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Nope.

But if you want to see 20 to 30in antler improvements, DONT shoot your best 1.5 and 2.5yos.

That's the single biggest difference you can make to improve antler scores of bucks killed.
 
My answer is no. Now, can offering supplemental feed during the hard winter months help your rutted down bucks make it through easier. I'm going to say yes. Can having supplemental feed, and mineral availability during a does pregnancy, nursing, and buck antler growing period hurt anything? I'm going to say no. Can you provide enough supplemental feed to make your land grow better deer in inches? No. When you do habitat improvement you are adding tonnage to their diet. Which includes nutrients that deer is searching for. Deer know what they are needed and know where to find it. They also are browsers not grazers. They want a little bit of everything throughout the day. I've seen deer where it's legal to feed, browse on privet and blackberry briars on the edge of the most beautiful plots you've laid eyes on and have a feeder full of high quality feed setting there as well. The deer just chose what they wanted.
 
yellalinehunter said:
My answer is no. Now, can offering supplemental feed during the hard winter months help your rutted down bucks make it through easier. I'm going to say yes. Can having supplemental feed, and mineral availability during a does pregnancy, nursing, and buck antler growing period hurt anything? I'm going to say no. Can you provide enough supplemental feed to make your land grow better deer in inches? No. When you do habitat improvement you are adding tonnage to their diet. Which includes nutrients that deer is searching for. Deer know what they are needed and know where to find it. They also are browsers not grazers. They want a little bit of everything throughout the day. I've seen deer where it's legal to feed, browse on privet and blackberry briars on the edge of the most beautiful plots you've laid eyes on and have a feeder full of high quality feed setting there as well. The deer just chose what they wanted.
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Other than the biological problems of feeding deer from feeders, such as increased disease transmission, increased predation (predator hanging out around feeders), increased social pressures around feeders, habitat damage near the feeders, etc. I would agree with you.
 

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