Nutritional Plots

[Double R 2]

QVM (quality [native] vegetation management)has been demonstrated by MSU in pine habitats to increase deer productivity 900%.

[lefthorn]

We are trying to let them grow. We only shoot 8 point or better. As for the mineral licks, where should we put them, right next to the trough feeders?

[MSDuckmen]

We are trying to let them grow. We only shoot 8 point or better. As for the mineral licks, where should we put them, right next to the trough feeders?

No Smart guy not next to any feeder. QDM calls for a good mixture of mineral mix for the health of the herd. It is not a block but a mix that is added to the soil. Ask a question and then return with that remark.

We don't let them grow so in five years we can brag on how big a buck we killed. I find no trophy in a deer that has been seen dozens of times over a five year period just to grow my own bragging rights. Comes real close to growing my own mallards to shoot but then some think that is a good idea too.

I have a copy of the study done by MSU and although the concept is good. There are way too many issues that would restrict the common land leasing club to take on. I could just see us telling Plum Creek Timber company we are going to do a controlled burn on their pine trees and remove needed hardwood to promote undergrowth. Yes food plots cost more but in this area of hunting it is the easiest to control. The study was conducted in Central Mississippi using 30 to 40 year old pines where there was almost no undergrowth. Bringing in the sunshine and using chemicals and fertilzer to increase undergrowth will increase deer population in large numbers. You get up in our part of the state where most is cutover or just replanted pines and QVM is not near as good a tool as local food plots.

Lot more to QVM than just putting out some fertilzer on native plants.

However I do have a some printed material from MSU on QVM should some of you feel it will help you and you want it.

[lefthorn]

No Smart guy not next to any feeder. QDM calls for a good mixture of mineral mix for the health of the herd. It is not a block but a mix that is added to the soil. Ask a question and then return with that remark.

We don't let them grow so in five years we can brag on how big a buck we killed. I find no trophy in a deer that has been seen dozens of times over a five year period just to grow my own bragging rights. Comes real close to growing my own mallards to shoot but then some think that is a good idea too.

What is wrong with putting the licks next to a feeder? Note, these are feeders that are NOT utilized during hunting season, only used to supplement during the off season. I figured since the deer already come to the feeders, then they wouldn't have any problem finding the licks.

We do quite a bit for our deer, we have 2000 acres with about 30 food plots that most are planted year round. However, I hunted this year around where soybeans are farmed and noticed a huge difference in deer size and antler growth. Just wanting some opinions from different people. Seems to be turing into a good discussion.

[Double R 2]

Forest industry land, like Plum Creek, is prime habitat - the best - due to intensive forest management practices. Adding quality food plots on intensively managed forest lands is as good as it gets, and duckmen's right - it's the company way or the highway. Private land - where 70% of timber is grown in MS - is a whole 'nother story.

IMHO, it's not a matter of either native or planted; it's both, or the very most that can be done to provide complete, year-long nutrition.

[bradrussell5]

I think somebody jumped the gun on this one

"We don't let them grow so in five years we can brag on how big a buck we killed. I find no trophy in a deer that has been seen dozens of times over a five year period just to grow my own bragging rights. Comes real close to growing my own mallards to shoot but then some think that is a good idea too."

Here we go again

[MSDuckmen]

I think somebody jumped the gun on this one

"We don't let them grow so in five years we can brag on how big a buck we killed. I find no trophy in a deer that has been seen dozens of times over a five year period just to grow my own bragging rights. Comes real close to growing my own mallards to shoot but then some think that is a good idea too."

Here we go again

No not jumping the gun just voicing an opinion on letting deer walk so they can grow. That is all I will say about it. And sorry for the backlash Lefthorn I took the statment wrong on the feeder. That is the problem with Forums you just can't get all you need to make a valid statement.

[lefthorn]

No problem Duckmen. This is our second season with 8 point or better and already have killed more bigger deer than last year. An interesting observation though, we have seen more spikes this year than ever. Should make for an exciting season next year(if they all hang around).

[bradrussell5]

"That is the problem with Forums you just can't get all you need to make a valid statement."

I had a pretty good idea you took it the wrong way, and as far as my "here we go again" line........ i was just bein a smartass thought youd get a rise out of it

[RebelYelp]

matador....... as ramsey stated, qvm can create tons (literally) of food, also, if as a part of your qvm program you are thinning timber.. open your plots up a little bit while they're cutting trees anyway....

[bradrussell5]

"increase deer productivity 900%"

what they meanin by productivity? increase in population?


Duckman, why would you be for planting high protien foods for deer but not letting them reach maturity. Both avenues seem like theyre headin in the same direction to me.

[MSDuckmen]

"increase deer productivity 900%"

what they meanin by productivity? increase in population?


Duckman, why would you be for planting high protien foods for deer but not letting them reach maturity. Both avenues seem like theyre headin in the same direction to me.

It is a fact that if you give any animal food the population will increase to a degree. You must also have other environment issues that have to happen as well. All of that was taught in basic hunters education. However if you have a place that has no food and no deer it is easy to say 900% increase in deer if the area gets 9 deer to live within it's range after QVM.

Brad it is not that we don't allow them to grow only we don't care to let them walk simply to gain size. When I take a deer that is old on property that is hunted regularly I see him as a Trophy regardless of size.
Yes we all would like to take large deer but I will not give up the ability for all members to harvest decent deer so a few can take large ones. We still take some very good deer every year.
Both issues are going in the same direction but when we feed/plant it is for the benefit of the game. We want healthy deer and giving them what they need to help overcome the harsh winter is much more important than trying to grow racks. We supply minerals for the mothers and some rack benefit is seen there.
We are hunters,We hunt for meat, We hunt to seek the heritage, We hunt for the memories. Ones man's non-mature buck is anothers Trophy.

Nothing wrong with letting them grow if that is what you want. I just feel sorry for those that believe that is the only way to manage. I really enjoy watching hunters come into our camp with kills. I have yet to see one come in with a kill and have a frown on their face.

[chopper30]

harsh winter

I wouldn't go this far Dan, we are in MS after all..... I was wearing shorts this weekend...

[bradrussell5]

"It is a fact that if you give any animal food the population will increase to a degree. You must also have other environment issues that have to happen as well. All of that was taught in basic hunters education. However if you have a place that has no food and no deer it is easy to say 900% increase in deer if the area gets 9 deer to live within it's range after QVM."

First off, ive been through hunters ed and believe it or not taught a class or two; but i dont think thats a good enough start to manage a piece of property. Secondly If you have deer than you have food, what im getin at is that most bedding area in ms is greenbriar or dewberry which is also the majority of a whitetails diet. So imo if your task is to have a greater population give them somethin to bed up in, youll kill to banded mallards with one shot

"help overcome the harsh winter"

Lets just say i agree with chopper on this one


"Brad it is not that we don't allow them to grow only we don't care to let them walk simply to gain size. When I take a deer that is old on property that is hunted regularly I see him as a Trophy regardless of size."

I feel exactly the same way, its just that my management practices help better the odds of when i kill a mature deer he has a good rack on him too

like you said, you have your way.... i have mine, my point here is to show you that just because we have different routes doesnt mean that i dont have the utmost respect for the habitat and the animals that i provide for.

yall have a goodin, im out

[Double R 2]

Brad, This pdf file provides a pretty good overview. I'm just old school in that I view food plots as supplemental icing on the cake. Deer, like all wildlife, will utilize the most easily obtained nutrition. Figure 5%-10% quality food plots (3% recommended for most acreage) and that leaves 90% of any given acreage. Most food plots are the grass+clover winter plot variety that provides little to no nutrition during the growing season, again underscoring that native browse is essential.

Holler if you ever want to take a gander at QVM on the ground, or if I can help you get it rolling on your place.

http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/fwrc/pubs/BASF-QVM.pdf