hide-out food
 

i have a spot on public hunting land that is like a little sanctuary, lots of deer seem 2 bed/hang-out n this 10 acre spot, that has a small valley running thru it, that centers at this location from 3 differant directions, a pond and several trees. the area has chest high grasses?(pretty thick stalked stuff) but no food source as i can tell, they seem 2 migrate 2 the spot as daylight aproaches. the area is surrounded by open grass lands n all directions, mostly cattle land w/no ag crops for miles. during the rut bucks travel the valley/low areas thru this sanctuary n search of does and then pass on thru. i've got kind of a triangle of their travel routes during the rut figured out and theres 4(that i know of/can hunt on) of these doe hang-outs the bucks pass thru. the spot im talking about is the best due 2 the dence cover, these r open plains for miles other than this spot. after gun season i've seen several bucks there bigger than the low 130 and high 140 class 5x5s i took this season near there. my ? is could/SHOULD i plant something n that area 2 intice more of a draw and/or help antler growth? these r big racked deer but "how big is big enough" and could i realistically start a program now that would increase antler size. i am interested n something low maintance, cost not a big issue, w/low visual impact, NOBODY hunts this area and i do not want 2 draw attention 2 it. would broadcasting some kind of garden vegtables do any good, what kind would b a fav for deer, turnips, carrots, etc... how bout a mineral lick or 2? i've read here that turning sugar n2 the ground is a draw but would that increase antler size, is their a specific mineral i could work n2 the ground that would increase antler size? antler growth/size, is my main objective. but because it is already a haven,should i leave well enough alone?
thanks

RE: hide-out food
 

Sounds like they are concentrated about as good as you could ask. As soon as the season is over I would pick out 2 or 3 sites for stands and cut them out for best visibility. If baiting is legal you could put out some stuff. You may make a couple of Di-Cal licks as soon as the season is over, its suppose to help in antler development as well as putting out a feeder with corn and an increasing amount of soybeans.

RE: hide-out food
 

because its public land, I'd leave it alone. You already know its good, likely most of the deer there during hunting season, are somewhere else during the rest of the year. Any improvements you do here will only attract other hunters - and posible benefit a few does. I'd spend some time trying to find out where the good bucks are coming from, and hunt that area prior to the rut. Once things kick into gear in late October, I'd head back to the "hotspot".

Sounds like you found a honeyhole.

RE: hide-out food
 

Be very careful about planting on public land. Many states have laws against altering the public sites. Contact the biologist for that area and discuss your intentions.