Deer Food Attractants

Food Plots

• Food plots are strategically placed food gardens in which hunters plant foods that will attract deer. Foods that attract deer in a food plot include perennials, such as clover, and brassicas, such as chicory, turnips, rape and kale. Because clover is a perennial, it will continue to come up without having to replant it each year. Brassicas, on the other hand, produce large amounts of food, but it also need to be replanted each year. Brassicas may not attract deer right away because it has a bitter taste. However, after the first frost, the starches in brassicas turn to sugars, making them sweet and palatable to deer.

Seasonal Attractants

• Hunters use seasonal foods attractants to entice and provide nutrition for deer at different times of the season. For example, deer are most attracted to clover in the summertime, while during the winter months, the need for energy makes them crave foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as corn. Grains attract deer during the fall months as they begin to store energy for the winter. During the spring, soybeans and alfalfa make the best deer food attractants.

Products

• Many hunting supply stores and websites offer ready-made deer food attractant products. Pre-made products include things such as salt lick blocks, also known as deer cane. These blocks contain attractants, salt and minerals that deer crave. Bucks in particular will be attracted to salt licks, because they contain minerals that help in antler development. There are also sweet blocks, made from molasses or sweeteners that attract deer. Sugar beets are another deer food attractant product. Sugar beets are crushed and blended creating a highly scented powder that draw in deer. If you wish to attract deer using food plot items, but do not want to plant a food plot, some companies offer ready-to-use greens.

Considerations

• When using deer food attractants, it is important to use the right food at the right time of the season. For example, a deer will not come to investigate an apple scent if you are in an area where apple trees are not present. It is also important to note that hunters will not kill deer while they are feeding at the attractant. Instead, hunters will track the deer in the areas around the plot or attractant product.