I think there is some misconception of just what food plots, even “juiced up” ones, can do. I don’t care how much biologic or buckmaster blend you plant, fertilize, or whatever – you’re never going to grow big antlers by using food plots. It just doesn’t work that way. Antlers are a result of genetics, age, and soil (nutrition). Food plots make up a relatively small proportion of a whitetails diet but these fancy seed mixes are touted as a panacea for growing big bucks. Don’t believe the propaganda. There’s money in misconception!
Personally, when living in the south, I loved planting and hunting near food plots. They serve as an attractant, not unlike bait, but are there throughout the season. They aren’t as apt to concentrate animals unnaturally like bait, and are much more suited to the animal’s diet than corn.
As far as hunting at a food plot being like “learning the delivery schedule at your local butcher so you can get first chance at all the choice cuts”, I could say sometimes yes, sometimes no. Whitetails are extremely adaptable critters and a pressured food plot won’t see any more action than a pressured oak flat full of acorns. You still have to use common since and hunt.
In case you all are wondering, I have hunted whitetails over corn as well. I grew up in Florida where baiting is legal, so that’s what I knew. Everyone did it. When I moved away and was exposed to more exciting ways of hunting, I saw how little I had actually experienced. I left the bait behind and learned to hunt. I learned more about my quarry; I became a hunter.
Bottom line is that the books are for big animals and big animals, whitetails anyways, are grown. Like it or not it’s the truth. It may not be with food plots or protein pellets but it is happening. Population and hunter management are far more effective ways of growing deer.
By the way, don’t sell yourself short on the only caring about meat thing. If that was your only concern, I have a feeling that you’d be hunting with a different weapon.
