The Benefits of Planting Early Summer Food Plots for Deer
For landowners and wildlife managers looking to improve deer habitat, early summer is one of the most important times of the year to establish food plots. While many hunters focus
on fall attraction plots, planting during the early summer months provides critical
nutritional benefits that can improve deer health, antler growth, fawn development, and overall herd quality long before hunting season arrives.
I’ve been planting food plots for several years now on my 50 acres in southern Indiana, but in 2022 I made it a priority to concentrate on an early season plot to see how the local
wildlife would take to it. I started with a small plot planted in a chicory/clover mix and was excited to see mature bucks, does, and turkeys utilizing the plot! Here are some reasons you should consider it too.
Supporting Antler Growth
Spring and early summer mark the peak antler-growing period for bucks. During this time, bucks require high levels of protein, minerals, and energy to develop healthy antlers.
Planting nutrient-rich forage such as soybeans, cowpeas, lablab, or clover provides a consistent food source that helps bucks reach their genetic potential. The better the nutrition available during antler development, the greater the opportunity for improved antler size and mass.
Improving Fawn Development
Does also benefit significantly from early summer food plots. Most fawns are born during late spring and early summer, creating increased nutritional demands on nursing does. High-quality forage helps mothers produce more milk and maintain their body condition throughout the summer. Better nutrition often leads to healthier fawns with improved
survival rates and growth.
Creating Consistent Summer Nutrition
Natural food sources can vary greatly depending on weather conditions and habitat quality. Early summer food plots help bridge nutritional gaps by providing dependable forage during periods when native vegetation may be less productive. A consistent food source allows
deer to remain on the property and maintain healthier body weights throughout the year.
Enhancing Habitat Utilization
Food plots do more than provide nutrition, they encourage deer to spend more time on your property. Strategically placed summer plots can help establish predictable movement patterns and create core feeding areas. This increased activity can benefit wildlife viewing, photography, and future hunting opportunities.
Building Better Soil Health
Many summer food plot species offer benefits beyond feeding deer. Legumes such as soybeans and cowpeas naturally add nitrogen to the soil, improving fertility for future plantings. As these plants grow, they help reduce erosion, suppress weeds, and create healthier soil conditions for subsequent fall food plots.
Preparing for Hunting Season
Although the primary purpose of summer food plots should be nutrition, they also lay the groundwork for fall hunting success. Deer that become accustomed to feeding in specific areas throughout the summer are more likely to continue utilizing those locations into early hunting season. This can make property management more effective and improve
opportunities for observing mature bucks.
A Long-Term Investment in Herd Health
Planting early summer food plots is one of the most effective ways to enhance a property’s deer habitat. By providing critical nutrition during antler growth, fawn development, and the demanding summer months, food plots help create healthier deer and a more productive wildlife environment. Whether your goal is wildlife conservation, hunting success, or
simply enjoying the outdoors, an early summer food plot is an investment that can deliver benefits throughout the year.
Every year I do my best to implement some type of improvement to my property. I want to promote better habitat for the local wildlife that calls my little slice of heaven on earth home. From brush management on invasives, to fruit tree plantings on existing plots, there is always something to keep me busy when I’m not out helping my clients find that slice of heaven to call their own or helping a landowner navigate the sale of a property. If you would like to work with a land professional who shares a passion for developing properties to their fullest potential, give me a call.
