Who told you this?

In NY it would be illegal and a death sentence to a wintering herd to feed hay - especially an overpopulated herd. Maybe things are different in Oklahoma (not as much browse, etc).

adams - you are NOT fighting a losing battle - whether you know it or not, many of your neighbors maybe asking the same questions, and possibly already planting plots, increasing doe harvests, and thinking more in terms of QDM. You should ask around. Even a "patchwork" of participating properties can hace a serious effect, but all must agree on some fundemental managament goals.

Popgunwill - I understood the question, but i wasn't very clear in my answer. I feel - that a 1/2 acre of even, marginal food source will be overbrowsed, it does little good to restrict the deer from access to it till hunting season - it certaintly doesn't "help" the deer heard by not allowing them to eat it until hunting season?? I could see how it might help a managment program to harvest more deer - but my point is it would be ALOT cheaper and easier to plant a kill plot of Winter wheat, buck forage oats or Rye in Late August - and get the same result.

Again - even with a bumper crop on 1/2 acre - you can not effect the overall health of the herd as whole. Thats not my opinion, its just fact and it would be irresponsible for those of us that know better to say anything less. I'm not saying that there is no sense in planting small plots - I'm saying lets be honest and realistic about our goals and limitations.