Effects of food plots on white-tailed deer in Kisatchie National Forest

Abstract

An extensive food plot program maintained for 4 years on the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve of the Kisatchie National Forest, La., failed to produce improvements in southern pine-mixed hardwood forest range sufficient to affect quality of deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested by sport hunters. A combination of normal forest management practices plus maintenance of deer densities at relatively low levels was apparently sufficient for maintaining deer in good condition. Other than for public relations, the food plot program was not warranted based on biological effects.