Transforming your property into a thriving habitat for whitetail deer requires a strategic approach to food plots and supplemental feeding. By providing consistent, high-quality nutrition throughout the year, you can support deer health, promote antler growth, and enhance hunting opportunities. Partnering with Lancaster Archery and utilizing premium products from Domain Outdoor ensures your land becomes a true domain for wildlife. 

Why a Year-Round Food Plot Program Matters

A diverse food plot strategy ensures deer have access to nutrition in every season, addressing gaps in natural forage and supporting critical life stages like antler growth, fawn development, and winter survival. According to Domain Outdoor, varied food plots not only provide year-round forage but also improve soil health through crop rotation, benefiting the entire ecosystem. Supplemental feeding enhances deer health and increases property attractiveness, especially when paired with high-quality food plots.

Spring: Building a Foundation for Growth

Food Plots

Spring is the time to plant perennials that provide protein-rich forage for antler growth and doe lactation. Comeback Kid is an excellent choice, featuring special varieties of clover and alfalfa that last up to five years. This blend offers high-protein forage, ideal for spring and summer nutrition. Similarly, Clutch Clover provides a durable, high-protein mix of clover varieties that withstands heavy grazing pressure, making it perfect for small plots or high-deer-density areas. Both can be planted from March to early May in most regions, ensuring early green-up for deer recovering from winter stress.

Supplemental Feeding

Spring is critical for mineral supplementation, as bucks begin antler growth and does support fawns. Recharge Mineral from Domain Outdoor is a year-round mineral attractant that delivers essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, promoting antler development and overall herd health. Place mineral sites near bedding areas or food plots to maximize usage.

Summer: Sustaining Nutrition in the Heat

Food Plots

Summer food plots focus on drought-tolerant forages that keep deer on your property during hot months. Hot Chic is a standout, combining chicory, clovers, and brassicas for year-round attraction. Chicory’s deep roots thrive in dry conditions, providing nutritious forage when other plants struggle. Plant Hot Chic in spring or early summer to establish a reliable food source that persists into fall.

Fall: Fueling the Rut and Hunting Season

Food Plots

Early fall is prime time for cool-season annuals that provide energy-rich forage as deer prepare for the rut. Hall Pass is a versatile blend, mixed with oats, wheat, and brassicas, offering tender greens that attract deer during archery season. Big Sexy, a brassica-heavy blend, becomes highly palatable after the first frost, as starches convert to sugars, making it a magnet for deer in mid-season.

Supplemental Feeding

During fall, Stockpile XL provides a high-energy feed to supplement food plots, ensuring deer have ample calories for the rut. Spread Stockpile XL near Hall Pass or Big Sexy plots to create a feeding hub that keeps deer on your property.

Winter: Surviving the Cold Months

Food Plots

Winter food plots are crucial for providing calories when natural forage is scarce. Bombshell is designed for tough conditions, combining Ethiopian cabbage, forage collards, hybrid brassicas, and turnips. This blend remains attractive late into the season, helping deer survive harsh winters. Domain Outdoor notes that brassicas like those in Bombshell are ideal for late-season nutrition due to their cold tolerance and high energy content.

Supplemental Feeding

Continue using Bad Habit in winter to support deer recovering from the rut. Stockpile XL can also be used to provide additional energy, especially in areas with heavy snow, ensuring deer have access to food when other sources are buried.

Tips for Success

• Soil Health: Test your soil to ensure a pH of 5.8–7.0, as recommended by Domain Outdoor. Add lime or sulfur as needed to optimize growth.

• Crop Rotation: Rotate annuals like Hall Pass and Big Sexy with perennials like Clutch Clover to prevent soil depletion and maintain productivity.

• Maintenance: Mow perennials like Comeback Kid to control weeds and stimulate growth, and fertilize based on soil test results.

• Location: Place food plots near bedding areas for security, as suggested by Domain Outdoor, to keep deer on your property.

Why Choose Lancaster Archery and Domain Outdoor?

Lancaster Archery is your one-stop shop for archery gear and land management products, offering Domain Outdoor’s premium seed blends and feeds. Their carefully selected mixes, like Hot Chic and Bombshell, are designed for ease of use and maximum deer attraction. Paired with feeds like Recharge Mineral and Stockpile XL, you can create a year-round nutrition plan that turns your property into a deer haven.