Determination of Optimal Cropping Systems for White-tailed Deer in the Southeast.

Establishment of food plots for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Southeast has a large impact on local and state economies.  However, minimal scientific data exist regarding optimal cropping systems for food plots.  This study is being conducted to determine optimal cropping systems for white-tailed deer in the Southeast.  The study site consists of two 0.84 ha high-fenced planting areas (one lowland and one upland) inside a 174 ha deer pen at the Piedmont Substation in Camp Hill, AL. Thirty-two combinations of warm and cool season crops are being planted and evaluated for biomass production, forage quality and deer preference. There are eighteen warm season and nine cool season crops along with a commercially available mix during the cool season. The plot size is 3.7 m x 9.1 m with four replications per site.  Results on summer 2008 biomass production, forage quality, and deer preference will be presented.