Deer's Favorite Winter Treat: Austrian Winter Peas

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season legume with better cold tolerance than other field peas. They are often planted as a fall, nitrogen-producing cover crop or within food plot mixtures for deer to forage. Deer hunters have noticed that planting Austrian winter peas is an effective way to attract deer. However, the preference for Austrian winter peas over other varieties of peas, such as white-flowered peas, may depend on the deer and the availability of other food sources.

Deer's preference for Austrian winter peas over other varieties

Austrian winter peas (Pisum sativum) are a cool-season legume that deer find very palatable. They are often planted by hunters to attract deer, and deer will even walk through a stand of other pea varieties to get to Austrian winter peas. They are also easy to establish in fall food plots.

Austrian winter peas are a good source of nutrition for deer and other wildlife, as well as humans and livestock. They are vine plants that can grow to 2-4 feet tall, with pink, purple, or white blooms in spring. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above and should be planted in autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed.

Austrian winter peas are preferred by deer over other pea varieties due to their higher palatability. The presence of anthocyanin, a pigment-producing flavonoid, in the flowers, stems, and leaves of specific pea plants contributes to bitterness. Austrian winter peas have a lower anthocyanin content, making them sweeter and more attractive to deer.

Some hunters and gardeners have observed that deer prefer white-flowered pea varieties, such as Nutrigreen and Whistler, over the purple-flowered Austrian winter peas. These white-flowered peas are also reported to have better production and improved winter hardiness. However, it is worth noting that deer behavior can vary, and some hunters have observed that their deer do not show a strong preference between Austrian winter peas and other varieties.

The use of Austrian winter peas in deer hunting

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season legume that is often used as a cover crop by agricultural farmers, home gardeners, and backyard chicken farmers. They are also used by game hunters to attract wildlife such as deer, quail, doves, and wild turkeys. Austrian winter peas are a good source of nutrition for humans and livestock and are also valued for their ornamental properties.

Austrian winter peas are a popular choice for deer hunters due to their high palatability among deer. They are easy to establish in fall food plots and can withstand very cold conditions, making them ideal for attracting deer during the hunting season. The peas are typically planted in September or October in the Southern states and in August in the Northern states. They should be planted at a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch and require well-drained soil with consistent moisture.

When used as a cover crop, Austrian winter peas are often planted with other seeds such as oilseed radishes or clover. This helps to extend the life of the food plot and minimize the risk of crop failure and overgrazing. It is recommended to plant Austrian winter peas in a mixture with other species, such as clover or cereal grain mixtures.

In addition to their use as a deer attractant, Austrian winter peas also have agricultural benefits. They have nitrogen-fixing abilities, which can improve soil quality and enhance crop growth. This makes them a valuable tool for farmers and gardeners looking to improve their soil health and increase crop yields.

Austrian winter peas' nitrogen-fixing ability and agricultural uses

Austrian winter peas, also known as field peas, have been cultivated for centuries as a valuable source of nutrition for humans and animals. They are a cool-season annual legume that is well-adapted to cold conditions and can be grown in spring and summer in cooler regions. Due to their nitrogen-fixing ability, they have many agricultural uses and are widely used in food plots for deer.

Nitrogen-Fixing Ability

Austrian winter peas have the ability to fix nitrogen, which is crucial for their agricultural uses. This means they can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This process improves soil fertility and minimizes the need for external fertilizers. The nitrogen-fixing ability of Austrian winter peas is facilitated by their symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria called Rhizobia, which pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form. The nitrogen is stored in the roots of the pea plants and released into the soil when the plants are cut down, providing a valuable nutrient boost to the soil.

Agricultural Uses

Austrian winter peas are widely used in agriculture as a cover crop, food plot component, and forage for livestock. They are often planted in the fall as a cover crop to protect and improve soil health. When used as a cover crop, Austrian winter peas are typically planted with other seeds such as oilseed radishes or clover. This helps to extend the life of the food plot, minimize the risk of crop failure, and provide a diverse food source.

Austrian winter peas are also a popular choice for food plots, especially for attracting deer. They are easy to establish and can be broadcast or drilled into well-prepared seedbeds. It is recommended to plant them in a mixture with other species, such as clover or cereal grains, to reduce the risk of overgrazing and crop failure.

In addition to their use as a cover crop and food plot component, Austrian winter peas are also valued for their ability to produce high-quality forage. Once established, they can produce large quantities of forage for seven to eight months, with crude protein levels exceeding 25%. This makes them a valuable source of nutrition for livestock and wildlife, including deer.

The ideal planting conditions for Austrian winter peas

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume that is often used as a cover crop or in food plot mixtures for forage. They are a good source of nutrition for humans and animals and are especially attractive to deer.

Austrian winter peas can be grown in a variety of soil types but perform best in well-drained, light-textured loamy soils. They require consistent moisture and do not grow well in arid climates with less than 20 inches of rainfall per year. The ideal soil pH for Austrian winter peas is between 6.0 and 7.0, with a neutral pH being the most favourable.

The seeds should be planted in the fall, after the hottest days of summer have passed, at a depth of about 1/2 to 1 inch. The rate of planting depends on the purpose of the crop. For a green manure crop, plant 70-80 lbs/Acre; for wildlife, plant 50 lbs/Acre; for a forage or hay crop, plant 40-50 lbs/Acre; and for drilling, plant 35-40 lbs/Acre. If planting with a cereal nurse crop, use 15-20 lbs/Acre.

Austrian winter peas are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and perform poorly under low light levels. They are not suitable for pasture as they do not tolerate trampling. However, they are capable of producing a significant amount of quality forage, with high crude protein content and excellent digestibility.

The nutritional value of Austrian winter peas for deer

Austrian winter peas (Pisum sativum) are a cool-season annual legume that deer find very palatable. They are a good source of nutrition for deer, especially in the winter.

Austrian winter peas are a good food source for deer because they have a lot of protein. They are also good for the soil, as they can fix nitrogen in the soil, which boosts soil fertility and improves the health of the earth.

Austrian winter peas are easy to grow and can withstand very cold conditions. They grow well in a variety of soil types but perform best in light-textured loamy soils. They need to be planted in late summer or early autumn, about 8 to 10 weeks before the first frost in your area, and they need consistent moisture.

When planting Austrian winter peas, it is important to conduct a soil test to determine lime and fertilizer needs. Phosphorus and potassium should be applied at the recommended rates. The seeds should be planted at a depth of about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm).

Overall, Austrian winter peas are a nutritious food source for deer that can be easily grown in a variety of climates and soils.

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