Deer forage guide: what deer eat and when to plant it

Last updated 2026-07-25

what is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted patch of forage, usually somewhere between a quarter acre and several acres, put in specifically to feed and attract deer or other wildlife. It's a small-scale version of a farm field, except the crop isn't harvested for sale. Landowners plant it to supplement natural browse, hold deer on a property longer, and give them better nutrition than what the woods alone provide. Food plots generally fall into two camps: annuals and perennials. Annual plots (brassicas, cereal grains, sorghum) get replanted every year and often target a specific hunting season, like a brassica plot that peaks in cold weather. Perennial plots (clover, alfalfa, chicory) stay in the ground for two to five years and need mowing and occasional spraying instead of full replanting. State wildlife agencies generally treat food plots differently from bait piles, but the line matters legally. Michigan's DNR, for example, defines a food plot as a planted crop left standing and not a pile of grain or minerals, and its baiting restrictions target the latter ^[1]. Always check your own state agency's current baiting and feeding regulations before assuming a plot is legal in every county, since rules can change by year and by CWD zone. If you want a structured plan instead of guessing at species and rates, that's the exact gap a food plot whitetail plan is built to fill.

what are deer's favorite foods?

Clover (ladino/white)	20-25%	Spring through fall
Soybeans (forage stage)	20-30%	Summer
Brassicas (turnips, radish)	15-20% (leaves)	Late fall/winter
Oats (young growth)	15-20%	Fall
White oak acorns	6-8% (high fat/carb)	Fall
Alfalfa	18-22%	Spring through fall	No single plot species outperforms every other one everywhere. Soil, climate, and hunting pressure change the equation county to county, which is why a lot of hunters plant a mix rather than betting on one variety.

Deer are selective browsers, not indiscriminate grazers. Research consistently shows they prefer high-protein, high-digestibility forage over roughage, and given a choice, they'll hit the same handful of species repeatedly. Field and pen studies rank legumes near the top. Clover, soybeans, and alfalfa show up again and again as preferred forage because of their protein content, often north of 20% crude protein in the vegetative stage ^[2]. The Noble Research Institute has documented clover's high digestibility and its ability to keep drawing deer through spring and summer when many native plants have already lost nutritional value ^[3]. Acorns are arguably the single most important native forage in fall, especially white oak acorns, which deer prefer over red oak acorns due to lower tannin content ^[4]. Brassicas (turnips, radishes, rape) climb the preference list hard once a frost hits, because cold weather converts starches to sugars and makes the leaves and bulbs taste sweeter. Corn and soybeans left standing are huge late-season draws in ag country, mostly because of the sheer caloric density. Here's a rough ranking based on extension and wildlife research, not a guarantee for your specific herd or region: | Forage type | Typical crude protein | Peak season |

do deer like clover?

Yes, and it's one of the most reliable food plot species in the country. Ladino and white clover are perennial legumes that regrow after grazing, fix their own nitrogen in the soil, and stay palatable from spring green-up through fall, sometimes even under light snow in southern regions. Clover's popularity with deer comes down to protein and digestibility. University of Tennessee Extension notes that well-managed clover plots can sustain crude protein levels above 20%, which rivals or beats native browse for most of the growing season ^[5]. It also handles repeated grazing better than annual grains, since deer pressure that would wipe out a corn plot just keeps a healthy clover stand shorter and bushier. The tradeoff is patience and maintenance. Clover needs a firm seedbed, decent soil pH (most extensions recommend 6.0 to 6.5), and it can get choked out by weeds in year one if you don't mow or spray. It's not a plant-and-forget crop, but it's about as close as food plots get to low annual cost once established, since a good stand can run 3 to 5 years before you need to reseed.

do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer eat grain sorghum, but it's rarely their first choice compared to corn, soybeans, or standing brassicas. Sorghum (milo) works better as a standing cover crop and late-season energy source than as a primary attractant plot. Sorghum's real value is drought tolerance and structure. It grows well in poor, sandy, or dry soils where corn struggles, and its tall stalks provide screening cover through fall. Deer will browse the leaves some in summer and hit the grain heads harder once other food sources thin out in late winter, similar to how they use standing corn. Turkeys and other wildlife use it heavily too. If your goal is maximum deer attraction on a small plot, sorghum usually isn't the top pick. If you're managing a larger acreage and want a drought-resistant grain crop that doubles as cover and a late-winter food source, it earns a spot in the rotation.

do deer eat honey (or crops treated with it)?

Deer don't eat honey in any meaningful wildlife-management sense. Honey isn't a forage plant or a natural part of a deer's diet; it's a bee product, and there's no research or extension guidance suggesting deer seek it out or that it has any place in food plot planning. This question usually comes from confusion with "honey hole" hunting slang or from products marketed as deer attractants that include sweet scents or molasses-based minerals. Some commercial mineral licks and attractant sprays do use sugar or molasses as a carrier to increase palatability, and deer will lick mineral sites readily, but that's a different thing from a food plot forage species. If you're baiting with any sweetened product, check your state's baiting laws first, since many states regulate or ban baiting for deer entirely or restrict it by season and zone.

do deer eat turnips, and when do you plant them?

Yes, deer eat both the leaves and the bulbs of turnips, and turnips are one of the most planted brassica species in food plots nationwide. Early in the season, deer usually ignore the bulbs and browse only the leaf tops. After a hard frost converts starches to sugars, they'll dig up and eat the bulbs too, often cleaning out a plot completely by late winter. Plant turnips 60 to 90 days before your area's first expected hard frost, which for most of the whitetail's range means a window from late July through early September. Iowa State University Extension recommends seeding brassicas at roughly 4 to 5 pounds per acre when drilled, or up to 6 pounds broadcast, with a shallow planting depth of about a quarter inch since the seed is small ^[6]. Turnips need decent soil fertility to bulb up well. A soil test is the only way to know your actual lime and fertilizer needs; general extension guidance suggests a target pH near 6.0 to 6.8 and moderate phosphorus and potassium, but your specific numbers depend on your test results, not a blanket recommendation. Follow your soil test lab's specific lime and fertilizer rates over any generic number you read online, since actual buffer pH and nutrient levels vary a lot field to field.

when to plant oats for deer

Plant oats for fall deer plots in late summer, generally 6 to 8 weeks before your first frost date, so the plant has time to establish before cold weather slows growth. In most of the Midwest and mid-South, that lands somewhere between mid-August and mid-September. In the Deep South, growers often push oats later, into September or even October, since frost comes later and summer heat can stress a too-early planting. Oats are a cool-season annual grain, and deer hit them hardest as tender young growth in fall, then again in very early spring if the stand survives winter in milder zones. University of Georgia Extension lists oats among the top cereal grain choices for fall food plots because of fast germination and strong palatability compared to wheat or rye in the first 60 days after planting . Seeding rate for oats alone typically runs 2 to 3 bushels per acre (roughly 64 to 96 pounds), broadcast and lightly covered, though rates shift if you're blending oats with clover or brassicas in a mix. Oats also work as a nurse crop, meaning they come up fast and give newly seeded clover some cover and competition against weeds while the clover establishes underneath.

when to plant food plots for deer

Deep South (Zone 8-9)	March-May	September-October
Mid-South (Zone 7)	April-May	August-September
Midwest/Mid-Atlantic (Zone 5-6)	May-June	Late July-early September
Upper Midwest/Northeast (Zone 3-4)	Late May-June	Late July-August	The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard reference for figuring out your zone and average frost dates. Your state's cooperative extension office almost always publishes a more specific local planting calendar too, and that's worth checking against these general ranges before you buy seed. For a full month-by-month breakdown by zone, our seasonal calendars content and a soil test in hand will get you closer to an exact date than any national chart can.

There's no single planting date, because it depends on species, your USDA hardiness zone, and whether you're planting a spring perennial or a fall annual. As a general rule, cool-season annuals (oats, wheat, rye, brassicas, clover) go in late summer to early fall, timed 6 to 10 weeks ahead of your average first frost. Warm-season plots (soybeans, corn, sorghum, cowpeas) go in spring after your last frost date, typically April through June depending on latitude. Here's a general regional planting window guide. These are broad starting points, not guarantees, since local frost dates and microclimates vary within every state. | Region | Spring warm-season window | Fall cool-season window |

how much forage does a deer actually eat per day?

An adult whitetail deer eats roughly 6 to 8 pounds of forage (dry matter basis) per day, though the exact figure shifts with body size, season, and whether a doe is lactating. Wildlife biologists commonly cite a rule of thumb near 3% of body weight per day in green forage, which for a 150-pound deer works out to about 4.5 pounds of dry matter, translating to considerably more in fresh, high-moisture weight since green forage is mostly water. This matters for plot sizing. A common planning rule from wildlife extension programs is roughly 1 acre of quality food plot per 8 to 10 deer, though real-world results depend heavily on deer density, plot species, and hunting pressure diverting or drawing deer from neighboring land. If you're managing a whole property rather than one plot, most state agency deer management guides recommend food plots cover somewhere around 1 to 5% of total huntable acreage, with the rest left in natural cover and native browse, since deer need bedding and escape cover just as much as food.

how do soil and fertility affect what deer will actually eat?

Forage quality tracks soil fertility closely. A clover plot growing in soil with a pH of 5.0 and low phosphorus will produce thinner, less palatable growth than the same seed in properly limed soil at pH 6.5, and deer notice the difference, often preferring a well-fertilized plot over a neglected one growing right next to it. Most land-grant extension programs recommend starting every plot decision with a soil test, not a guess. Penn State Extension's food plot guidance walks through soil sampling procedure and points out that lime takes months to fully adjust pH, so testing in the off-season, ideally months before planting, gives lime time to work before seed goes in the ground. Your soil test lab's specific lime and fertilizer recommendations are the real authority here, not a blanket number from an article. A test from your county extension office or a private ag lab will tell you your actual pH, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter, and the lime and fertilizer rates that come back are calibrated to your soil, not a national average. If you want a plan that pulls those numbers into a full seed and rate recommendation, that's the specific job of a $99 Custom Food Plot Plan, built around your soil test and region rather than generic advice.

what's the difference between annual and perennial forage plots?

Annual plots complete their life cycle in one growing season and need replanting every year. Brassicas, oats, wheat, sorghum, and soybeans (grown for forage, not grain harvest) are all annuals. They're generally cheaper to establish per acre in seed cost, faster to see results from, and easier to time around a specific hunting season, but they cost you labor and seed money every single year. Perennial plots, mainly clover, alfalfa, and chicory, come back on their own for multiple seasons once established. First-year establishment costs more in time (soil prep, possible nurse crop, weed control while the stand fills in), but years two through four or five require only mowing, spot spraying, and maintenance fertilization based on a fresh soil test. Over a 4 to 5 year window, perennials often work out cheaper per acre per year, though they demand more patience and a properly prepped seedbed up front. A lot of experienced plotters run both: perennial clover as the backbone plot that holds deer all season, plus one or two annual plots (brassicas or cereal grain) rotated in to target the exact weeks of gun or bow season. If you're picking deer food plot seed for the first time, that annual-plus-perennial combination is the most forgiving starting point for a new plotter.

should you plant a monoculture or a blend?

Blends generally outperform single-species plots for both deer attraction and risk management. A monoculture clover plot, for instance, is vulnerable to one bad drought year, one aggressive weed invasion, or one grazing pressure spike wiping out the whole stand's value. A blend of clover, chicory, and a cereal grain spreads that risk and also spreads out palatability across more of the growing season. Extension trial data generally supports diversity for soil health too. Mixing a legume (nitrogen-fixing) with a grain (heavy nitrogen user) balances nutrient demand and can reduce total fertilizer need over time compared to a straight grain monoculture replanted every year. The tradeoff is complexity. A blend needs seed selected for compatible planting depths and germination timing, and mowing schedules get trickier when one species in the mix wants to be cut and another doesn't. For a first plot ever, a simple two-species blend (like clover and chicory, or oats and brassica) is usually the easier starting point than a five-way mix. As you get more comfortable reading your own soil and results, adding species becomes a lot less intimidating.

Frequently asked questions

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, though it's usually a secondary choice behind corn, soybeans, and brassicas. Deer browse sorghum leaves in summer and hit the grain heads in late winter when other food is scarce. It's most valuable in drought-prone or sandy soils where it outperforms corn, and it doubles as standing cover and screening.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most preferred food plot forages available, often exceeding 20% crude protein in the vegetative stage. Ladino and white clover regrow after grazing and stay palatable from spring through fall, making them a reliable perennial backbone for most whitetail food plot programs nationwide.

When should you plant food plots for deer?

Cool-season annuals like oats, clover, and brassicas go in 6 to 10 weeks before your area's first fall frost, generally late July through September depending on zone. Warm-season crops like soybeans and corn go in spring, April through June, after your last frost date. Check your local extension office for exact dates.

Do deer like clover more than other plot species?

Research and field experience both suggest clover ranks near the top of deer preference, largely tied for first with soybeans and alfalfa depending on growth stage. It's not universally the single favorite everywhere, since acorns and standing corn can outcompete it seasonally, but it's consistently a top performer across most regions.

When do you plant oats for deer plots?

Plant oats 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost, typically mid-August through mid-September in most of the Midwest and mid-South, later into September or October in the Deep South. Seeding rate runs about 2 to 3 bushels (64 to 96 pounds) per acre broadcast.

When should you plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 60 to 90 days before your area's first hard frost, generally late July through early September across most of the whitetail's range. Seed at about 4 to 5 pounds per acre drilled, or up to 6 pounds broadcast, at roughly a quarter-inch depth, per Iowa State University Extension guidance.

What is a food plot exactly?

A food plot is a planted area of forage, typically a fraction of an acre up to several acres, seeded specifically to feed and attract deer or other wildlife. It's different from a bait pile in most state regulations, since it's a standing crop rather than a dumped pile of grain or minerals.

What are deer's favorite foods overall?

Clover, soybeans, alfalfa, white oak acorns, and cold-sweetened brassicas like turnips consistently rank as top preferences in wildlife research. Standing corn is a major late-season draw in agricultural regions. Preference shifts by season, region, and local food availability, so no single species wins everywhere year-round.

Do deer eat honey?

No, honey isn't part of a deer's natural diet and has no established role in food plot forage. This question usually stems from confusion with sweetened mineral products or attractant sprays that use sugar or molasses, which are different from actual forage plants and may be regulated under state baiting laws.

How big should a deer food plot be?

There's no fixed ideal size; a quarter acre to a few acres both work depending on your goal. A common extension rule of thumb targets roughly 1 acre of quality plot per 8 to 10 deer, with total plot acreage often kept to around 1 to 5% of a property's total huntable land.

Can you plant a food plot without a soil test?

You can, but you're guessing on lime and fertilizer needs, which is the single biggest factor in whether a plot actually grows well. A soil test from your county extension office or a private lab tells you exact pH and nutrient levels, and your lab's recommendation should override any generic online rate.

Is baiting deer with food plots legal?

Most states distinguish a standing planted food plot from a bait pile of grain or minerals, and food plots are generally legal where baiting isn't. Rules vary a lot by state and even by county or CWD management zone, so check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before planting or hunting over a plot.

Sources

1. Michigan DNR, Baiting and Feeding Regulations: State definition distinguishing planted food plots from bait piles
2. USDA NRCS, Plant Fact Sheet: White Clover: Clover crude protein content and use as wildlife forage
3. Noble Research Institute, Food Plots for White-tailed Deer: Clover's digestibility and season-long forage value for deer
4. University of Tennessee Extension, Establishing and Managing Wildlife Food Plots: Clover protein levels and management guidance for food plots
5. Iowa State University Extension, Wildlife Food Plots: Seeding rates and depth for brassica/turnip food plots
6. University of Georgia Extension, Wildlife Food Plots: Oats ranked among top fall cereal grain choices for food plots