Korean Lespedeza for Deer?
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: BoggsBowhunts
21-Jul-23
This year a clearing behind my house is absolutely loaded with Korean Lespedeza, atleast what I think is Korean Lespedeza, figured there was enough deer nutrition gurus in here to ask. I know deer do eat it, but do deer seek it out? Would I be better off spraying and planting a mix of native grasses and clover next year or seeding winter peas for this fall?
From: APauls
21-Jul-23
looks woody. When do you want food handy? Have you seen if it is alive and green at that time of year?
From: kennym
21-Jul-23
Not sure if what we have naturally here in N MO is Korean, but they much prefer the clover.
From: KSflatlander
21-Jul-23
It’s invasive and a noxious weed. Get rid of it.
From: BoggsBowhunts
21-Jul-23
I know the Sericea Lespedeza is bad news, but have heard the Korean Lespedeza is good for wildlife - and according to the Missouri Department of Conservation it is good for deer and quail, I just didn’t know HOW good it was or how long it’s life cycle was in relation to deer feed. I haven’t seen how long it lasts as last year it was all mowed right before I started scouting this place heavy.
From: Cocklebur
21-Jul-23
The first freeze will kill it and it isn’t very palatable after that.
From: Catscratch
21-Jul-23
I'd never heard if it being invasive, but as with most "new" plants you want to make sure it's appropriate in your zone. Would be nice to have deer food that was good for quail too!
From: Pop-r
22-Jul-23
Some people in OK combine that sirecia you speak of that's worthless and sell it for big money to the Asians.
From: BoggsBowhunts
22-Jul-23
This photo shows both, sericea is the taller lespedeza in the back and Korean is the short stuff right down at the bottom of the photo I believe
From: Catscratch
22-Jul-23
I spend a ton of time fighting sericea in the pastures. Absolutely awful stuff!
From: BoggsBowhunts
10-Aug-23
Update: the deer are still hammering the KOREAN lespedeza. I think next year the only thing I’m gonna do different is spot spray thistle and sericea, but it depends on how September goes. Fingers crossed they’re still hitting it for a september 15 all-day live hunt
From: Catscratch
10-Aug-23
Catscratch's Link
Thanks for the update! I was wondering how that stuff was doing. Good luck in Sept.
If you look at the link you'll find (page 4) that deer usage of most forbs drops significantly in the fall. Look further down and you'll find that crude protein tends to drop around Sept also. Might be a correlation between protein and palatability? Keep us updated, I'll be curious to know what you're seeing.
https://www.noble.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/nf-wf-04-02.pdf
