It’s late April, and although turkeys are still gobbling, now is the time when serious habitat managers are thinking ahead toward another deer season. At Realtree Farms, the focus this time of year is on establishing lush summertime food plots and supplemental protein feeding. Bucks are actively growing antlers right now, and does will be dropping and nursing fawns late next month, both of which require serious energy and nutrition. Easy, quality, protein-packed food sources ensure the antlers grow large, and that the little spotted rascals have every nutritional advantage possible when they enter this world.

Of course, those efforts are made easier with good partners like 4S Advanced Wildlife Solutions. In this video, the crew plants 6 acres of Record Buck Beans, three of which they’re temporarily protecting with a Gallagher Fence, which allows the beans to become established before they’re overgrazed by hungry whitetails.

Elsewhere, the crew is out filling ASF Gravity Feeders with protein feed. Products like the 20% Plus Gravity Pellets are specifically designed for spring and summer feeding programs, with high-quality by-pass protein, non by-pass protein, vitamins, minerals, and elevated levels of fat and energy. They’re guaranteed 20% protein, but quality control tests often show levels that are a bit higher.