Cafeteria Test for Deer
Filed under: Ask Grant, Food Plots
I’m in Indiana with corn and soybeans everywhere. I also put out about 30 acres of clover, milo, Eagle Seed beans and winter wheat. I’ve planted brassicas before so deer could have winter food but they have never eaten it. Does this mean my other foods have been preferred? I was at your field day, I know that took a lot of time to put together, thanks and well done!!! I’ll send you all some photos of my deer herd (a work in progress). One photo has 4 bucks and a doe in it. There is a big 8 pointer that has moved on down the trail and you can see his head behind a small bush. Sometimes I think I would rather pull cards and look at photos than hunt. Thanks again and God Bless, Percy
Percy,
Wow – you have established a smorgasbord for deer! In effect, you’ve also created a cafeteria test. That is, you’ve offered the deer at your property a variety of crops and they have shown you what crops they preferred by consuming some more than others. Unlike a cafeteria test for humans, deer typically change their preferences as time progresses because plants change in taste and quality as they mature. In addition, the results can be different in other areas as plants can taste different based on the nutrients available in the soil. Thanks for sharing your results!
I also enjoy placing trail cameras and viewing the images almost as much as hunting!
Growing Deer together,
Grant
