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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 2, 2021 13:32:49 GMT -5
I noticed that of the 4 deer that I have skinned this season none of them had much body fat. They all had a thin layer in spots but nothing like I've seen in previous seasons. There wasn't much at all around the pelvic bone. I know our acorn crop was pretty poor this year. I hope it's not going to be a hard winter for them. I'll probably start putting out some corn after deer season is over. Had anyone else noticed this?
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Post by Sasquatch on Dec 2, 2021 13:44:03 GMT -5
Johns September deer had a good amount. My brother's Nov. buck hardly anything.
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 2, 2021 13:46:23 GMT -5
My area of Switzerland County got hit by a couple late frost which resulted in poor to almost nonexistent acorn crop, so I expect that is a major factor. That said I do not foresee a big problem as at least here there are plenty of other food sources still available and mild weather has clover, alfalfa, oats, brassicas, winter peas all doing well still. I supplemental feed also and started feeding right after I killed by buck 3 weeks ago on my farm. Extended forecast is showing mild at this point as well.
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Deer fat
Dec 2, 2021 14:24:20 GMT -5
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 2, 2021 14:24:20 GMT -5
My area of Switzerland County got hit by a couple late frost which resulted in poor to almost nonexistent acorn crop, so I expect that is a major factor. That said I do not foresee a big problem as at least here there are plenty of other food sources still available and mild weather has clover, alfalfa, oats, brassicas, winter peas all doing well still. I supplemental feed also and started feeding right after I killed by buck 3 weeks ago on my farm. Extended forecast is showing mild at this point as well. I'm in Switzerland County as well. We don't have the crops like you do. I sure hope it's a mild winter. What do you use for supplemental feed?
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Deer fat
Dec 2, 2021 15:18:47 GMT -5
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Post by Huntnfreak on Dec 2, 2021 15:18:47 GMT -5
The doe I shot on Nov. 4 had the thickest layer of fat that I’ve ever seen, but the buck I shot last Saturday didn’t have any fat at all. My buddy shot a doe around mid Nov. that I helped clean and it was loaded with fat just like mine was. 🤷🏻♂️
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 2, 2021 15:38:53 GMT -5
My area of Switzerland County got hit by a couple late frost which resulted in poor to almost nonexistent acorn crop, so I expect that is a major factor. That said I do not foresee a big problem as at least here there are plenty of other food sources still available and mild weather has clover, alfalfa, oats, brassicas, winter peas all doing well still. I supplemental feed also and started feeding right after I killed by buck 3 weeks ago on my farm. Extended forecast is showing mild at this point as well. I'm in Switzerland County as well. We don't have the crops like you do. I sure hope it's a mild winter. What do you use for supplemental feed? I feed a mix of corn, oats and protein pellet. Winter 70% corn 20% oats, 10% protein. up protein spring and summer. I'll run 2 feeders and up to 4 if weather turns very cold. I put feeders in existing food source usually clover and brassica fields. Avg. Over winter 2000 lbs. Month. Spring summer little less.
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Post by omegahunter on Dec 3, 2021 7:11:32 GMT -5
Does in October won't have much fat on them. They start adding fat and have a thicker layer the later you kill them.
Bucks on the other hand feed up for the rut and generally have quite a bit more fat in October than a doe will. Then they run most of that off during the rut. Now they will be hitting the feed hard to put that layer of fat back on for the winter.
The doe that I killed October 2nd had pretty much zero fat. The buck Abbie killed on firearms opener had a thin layer of fat left on his hind quarters, but that was pretty much all that was left.
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Post by oldhoyt on Dec 3, 2021 8:09:11 GMT -5
Two bucks I've seen this year. First was mid october in MI, plenty of fat. Second was IN openening day of firearms, also plenty of fat.
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Dec 3, 2021 9:12:24 GMT -5
Does all had good fat on hips and back. Looking good in Ohio co.
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Post by willy7948 on Dec 3, 2021 11:23:40 GMT -5
Out of the five deer I’ve opened up this year , only the 2 bucks had a noticeable amount of the “webby fat”. I imagine had they lived to finish the rut , it’d be gone on them too.
Hopefully winter isn’t too tough this year , because I agree that they’ll be extra cold. I’ll be feeding as well as soon as I know hunting is done in each spot.
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Post by willy7948 on Dec 3, 2021 11:25:41 GMT -5
I'm in Switzerland County as well. We don't have the crops like you do. I sure hope it's a mild winter. What do you use for supplemental feed? I feed a mix of corn, oats and protein pellet. Winter 70% corn 20% oats, 10% protein. up protein spring and summer. I'll run 2 feeders and up to 4 if weather turns very cold. I put feeders in existing food source usually clover and brassica fields. Avg. Over winter 2000 lbs. Month. Spring summer little less. That’s a lot of feed ! Definitely beneficial to your herd ! Where do you source it ? Are you mixing the %’s yourself ?
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 3, 2021 11:39:08 GMT -5
I feed a mix of corn, oats and protein pellet. Winter 70% corn 20% oats, 10% protein. up protein spring and summer. I'll run 2 feeders and up to 4 if weather turns very cold. I put feeders in existing food source usually clover and brassica fields. Avg. Over winter 2000 lbs. Month. Spring summer little less. That’s a lot of feed ! Definitely beneficial to your herd ! Where do you source it ? Are you mixing the %’s yourself ? Local mill makes for me. With corn prices up it can get pricy. Avg. between $300-$350 mth. and agave add mineral as well.. But save buying in bulk.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 3, 2021 11:41:58 GMT -5
Good grade of Horse feed is also good....if you just use corn use cracked corn. IMO
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 3, 2021 12:04:23 GMT -5
Good grade of Horse feed is also good....if you just use corn use cracked corn. IMO I use both. Original recipe I got from a wildlife consultant. (14% and 16% protein ratio.) I've looked into adding roasted soybeans but Noone sells local and shipping makes it not feasible. Can buy a ton for $650 but closest dealer 8 hours away. I add little soybean meal in spring and summer but it's 32% protein so little goes long way. Only add 50 lbs in a ton. ( Deer can only digest up to 16%.) I've done a bunch of studying on subject. Deer don't need the help but I can see difference in deer overall body weight since went to. Neighbors feed as well.
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