With warm-season targets, high-protein plots, and varieties that tolerate heat and drought, selecting the right summer deer food plot mix helps attract and hold deer through peak antler growing and fawning periods. Below are five proven mixes designed for summer grazing, heavy use, and long-lasting forage. Each choice combines protein-packed crops with resilient annuals or perennials to maximize tonnage and palatability across various soils and climates.
| Product | Brand | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Institute PowerPlant | Whitetail Institute | High protein tonnage for late spring and summer |
| Whitetail Hill Summer Bulk Mix | Whitetail Hill | Early season attraction; up to 4 ft tall forage |
| EVOLVED HARVEST 7 Card Stud | Evolved Harvest | Full-season, high-protein forage blend |
| Whitetail Hill Summer Bulk Mix (1 Acre) | Whitetail Hill | Same family mix for larger plots; robust summer forage |
| Throw & Gro No-Till Forage for Deer | Evolved Habitats | No-till, fast-growing forage with protein |
Whitetail Institute PowerPlant Deer Food Plot Seed
PowerPlant centers on vining forage soybeans and peas, designed for spring and summer growth with high protein and substantial tonnage. It targets antler growth, fawning, and lactation stages by delivering a protein-rich yield that deer can graze heavily. The seed mix is designed to resist stem lodging and deliver robust biomass even under heavy grazing pressure, helping establish a consistent food source through late spring into summer. This option is well-suited for gardeners seeking a spring-to-summer transition that keeps deer returning to the same plot.
Whitetail Hill Summer Bulk Seed Mix
This mix blends peas, beans, sorghum, buckwheat, and joint vetch to form a verdant wall of green that deer will actively browse. It specializes in early-season attraction and can reach impressive heights, growing up to about four feet tall under favorable conditions. The combination provides a steady supply of protein during the warmer months and supports a late-season food source as growth continues. It’s especially appealing in areas with hot summers and heavy deer activity.
EVOLVED HARVEST 7 Card Stud
7 Card Stud is a full-season forage blend designed to attract and hold deer across early, mid, and late seasons. It combines triticale, oats, winter peas, clover, chicory, turnip, and radishes to create a diverse palate with high protein and mineral content. The blend is adaptable to various climates and regions, helping you establish consistent hoof traffic on your property. It’s engineered to deliver a sweet taste that deer find appealing, supporting longer-term plot use throughout summer and into fall with sustained forage quality.
Whitetail Hill Summer Bulk Mix (1 Acre)
This larger version of the Whitetail Hill mix provides a robust early-season attraction for bigger plots, featuring peas, beans, sorghum, buckwheat, and joint vetch. It’s designed to deliver a high-protein green forage that deer will relish through the summer and into late season. The blend supports rapid biomass production, making it suitable for both 1/4-acre and 1-acre plots, depending on your management goals and available space. It’s a practical choice for landowners who want a high-impact summer plot with scalable coverage.
Throw & Gro No-Till Forage for Deer
Throw & Gro No-Till Forage blends ryegrass, forage clovers, and brassicas to provide a fast-growing, protein-rich forage without tilling. The no-till formula allows planting in existing cover, road edges, or marginal soil where traditional tilling isn’t feasible. It’s designed for rapid establishment, enabling you to fill plots quickly and begin attracting deer with a mix of carbohydrate-rich and protein-rich plants. This option suits landowners seeking flexibility and reduced soil disturbance.
HIT LIST SEED Shade Food Plot Seeds
Hit List Seed’s shade-focused mix blends Ladino clover with forage brassica and annual ryegrass, crafted for low-sun conditions where summer plots may struggle. It emphasizes nutrient-dense plants that deer actively consume. The blend is designed to germinate quickly, making it suitable for beginners and experienced plot managers alike who need reliable performance under varied shade and light conditions during the summer months.
Buying Guide
Key considerations when choosing a summer deer food plot mix include plot size, soil type, climate, and deer pressure. Protein content, biomass production, and drought tolerance determine how quickly deer will visit and how long the plot remains attractive.
- Site suitability: Match the mix to soil pH, drainage, and sun exposure. Shade-tolerant blends perform better under deciduous canopies, while sun-loving mixes thrive in open fields.
- Seasonal timing: For peak summer grazing, prioritize blends with high protein and fast biomass, but also consider some mid- to late-season components to sustain deer as heat increases.
- Maintenance and tillage: No-till or minimum-till options provide flexibility on established plots and reduce soil disruption.
- Planted area and scalability: If you manage multiple plots, choose mixes with scalable biomass potential suitable for 1/4 to 1-acre plots.
- Climate adaptation: Drought tolerance and heat resilience are crucial in hot southern regions and arid western zones.
Overall, the best-performing summer deer food plot mixes balance protein-rich forage with hardy biomass and practical planting methods. The five selections above offer a range of approaches—from no-till convenience to high-biomass annuals—that can help maintain deer traffic through late spring into the core summer period.