It’s the first day of summer, and the perfect time to start thinking about big whitetail bucks. Of course, thinking about them is one thing, but taking action now by tackling land-management projects can have a huge impact on your property’s big-buck potential, the deer herd’s overall health, and the outcome of your hunting season.

The weeks ahead are vital for deer nutrition as adult does nurse their fawns and bucks pack on those glorious antler inches. Where legal, supplemental feeds like the highly palatable 4S Wildlife Solutions 20% Premium Deer Pellets (Plus), a product loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals, gives lactating does and antler-growing bucks what they need to thrive. Also included in the feed is an organic dewormer, organic tick control, yeast cell walls extract, and essential fatty acids, plus prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health. Irresistible flavor will keep bucks and does coming to your feed site daily.

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With fawns nursing and bucks growing antlers, summer is a key time for deer-herd health, making it crucial (where legal) to feed the nutrients deer need to thrive throughout the fall and winter.

Spring planting dates for perennials are behind us, but the time to cultivate highly attractive annual plots is now or just ahead, depending on your location. Planting a few acres or more of high-protein Record Buck Beans right now could ensure a dynamite late-season hunting plot once the beans on surrounding properties have been harvested.

If you want to enhance a smaller kill plot, give deer something they cannot get in farm fields, such as 4S Wildlife Solutions’ Forage Brassica or Plantler Blow-Till. These two plantings become highly attractive to deer during the hunting season. While Forage Brassica featuring radishes requires careful soil prep, Blow-Till is ideal if you have only hand tools or a location inaccessible to larger power equipment. Simply expose the soil with a leaf blower or garden rake, then broadcast Blow-Till with the suggested lime and fertilizer to create a dynamite kill plot of ryegrass with high sugar content.

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Edging your food plot with 4S Field Shield can increase security and make deer feel safe while feeding.

Although the product is new and only currently available in limited quantities, 4S recently launched Field Shield, which is designed to create edges around your plot perimeter and enhance security. Put that on your planting checklist for 2026.

A little sweat equity is all it takes to improve your property’s deer hunting and herd health, so roll up your sleeves and get to work. Your hunting season’s outcome could depend on it.