Top 5 Summer Food Plots for Whitetail Deer in Oklahoma
When the Oklahoma heat turns up, so do the nutritional demands of your local whitetail herd. Summer is a vital time for whitetail bucks—they’re growing antlers, rebuilding muscle mass, and preparing for the energy demands of the rut later in the year. That means your land management plan needs to include smart food plot planting, and summer is where it starts.
Whether you're managing 40 acres or 400, implementing a summer food plot program that works with Oklahoma’s challenging conditions can be the difference between growing healthy bucks or watching them migrate to neighboring properties. Summer plots are often overlooked, but they are essential for long-term success in deer management.
At December Ranch LLC, we work with hunters and landowners across Oklahoma to provide reliable, drought-tolerant summer plots that meet the nutritional needs of local whitetail herds. We handle every aspect, from seed selection to tilling, fertilizing, and maintenance.
Why Plant a Summer Food Plot?
Summer is the most nutritionally demanding time of year for deer. Bucks are putting on mass, does are lactating, and fawns are developing rapidly. In many parts of Oklahoma, native browse and forage can be sparse due to heat and inconsistent rainfall, which puts pressure on food plots to fill the nutritional gap.
By planting the right high-protein crops, you not only support herd health but also create a reliable pattern for bucks to use your land throughout the summer. That consistent usage lays the groundwork for successful bow hunts in October, especially if those bucks are still in velvet and moving on a regular feeding schedule.
Food plots also help with herd inventory. Placing trail cameras on your summer plots allows you to track buck development, identify does, and plan your hunting strategy well before opening day. It's more than planting—it's year-round management.
Top 5 Summer Crops for Oklahoma Food Plots
Choosing summer crops that thrive in Oklahoma’s soil and climate is critical. It’s not just about what deer will eat, but what will actually grow and withstand dry, hot conditions. Below are five top options that we at December Ranch LLC recommend and plant on properties across the state.
We don't just drop seed and hope it grows. Each property has its own soil profile, shade coverage, and drainage. That’s why our team begins with soil testing and custom seed blends that deliver both nutrition and survivability through summer’s toughest weeks.
Let’s dive into the top picks for summer food plots that get real results for Oklahoma hunters.
1. Soybeans
Soybeans are the go-to summer crop for a reason—they’re loaded with protein, grow thick leafy cover, and are highly palatable to deer. They offer a dual benefit of providing both early forage and potential late-season standing beans if managed properly.
In Oklahoma, early planting in late April to early May is ideal. You can plant them in monoculture or mix with other crops like sunflowers or cowpeas for diversity. Soybeans will often remain the top choice in areas with good soil moisture and moderate deer density.
If your herd is large or if deer pressure is high, protective fencing or large-acre plantings are recommended to prevent over-browsing before the plants mature.
- Planting Time: Late April to early June
- Soil Needs: pH 6.0–6.5, well-drained
- Benefits: High protein (up to 35%), extended forage availability, velvet buck attraction
2. Cowpeas
Cowpeas are another excellent warm-season legume for Oklahoma plots. They’re quick to establish, fix nitrogen in the soil, and are incredibly drought-tolerant. Deer love them, and they continue to draw in wildlife even during the hottest part of summer.
Planting cowpeas alone or in a mix with sorghum or millet creates a dynamic summer buffet. Their aggressive growth can help choke out weeds, and they regenerate well after browsing, making them a smart option for smaller plots or areas with heavy deer density.
They are ideal for properties without access to irrigation or with sandy, lighter soils where other legumes might fail.
- Planting Time: May to July
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; tolerant of lower fertility
- Benefits: Drought-resistant, fast-growing, reseeds naturally
3. Lablab
Lablab is a tropical legume that thrives in heat and is loaded with digestible protein. It’s particularly effective when planted with a climbing companion crop like sorghum or sunflowers to give it structure to climb.
Whitetail deer are drawn to its broad leaves and high nutrient content. Though not as commonly used as soybeans or cowpeas, lablab is gaining popularity with hunters seeking a diverse planting that can handle tough conditions.
If planted early enough and protected from overgrazing in the first few weeks, lablab can grow several feet tall and provide excellent cover as well as forage.
- Planting Time: May to June
- Soil Needs: Prefers loamy soils, good drainage
- Benefits: High-protein, climbing structure, supports pollinators
4. Sorghum
Sorghum is a dual-purpose crop—it offers food and cover. Its tall, stalky growth makes it perfect for screening plots and providing fawning cover. The heads are high in energy and will draw deer, turkeys, and other wildlife into late summer and early fall.
Because it is less palatable early in its growth, sorghum is more likely to reach maturity in high-pressure areas. When paired with legumes like cowpeas, it offers structure and prolongs forage availability.
Sorghum is also great for erosion control and is one of the easiest summer crops to grow with minimal maintenance.
- Planting Time: May to July
- Soil Needs: Moderate fertility, pH 5.8–6.5
- Benefits: Tall cover, energy-rich grain, supports biodiversity
5. Sunn Hemp
Sunn hemp is a lesser-known but powerful summer planting. It grows fast, can reach over 5 feet in height, and fixes nitrogen into the soil. It’s great as a soil builder and forage crop. Deer use it both for food and bedding cover.
Because it grows tall and fast, sunn hemp is often used in combination with shorter forages. It’s perfect for creating plot edges or natural travel corridors across open land.
It’s also an excellent rotational crop that helps rejuvenate tired soils before fall planting.
- Planting Time: Late spring to mid-summer
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; tolerates sandy or poor soils
- Benefits: Fast-growing, nitrogen fixer, great for soil health
Get Help Planting Your Summer Plot
Food plot success starts with planning. Our team at December Ranch LLC provides turnkey summer food plot services, including soil testing, seed selection, planting, and ongoing maintenance. We serve hunters and landowners across Oklahoma with experience in drought-prone and mixed-soil environments.
Whether you're starting from scratch or trying to improve your results from last year, we can tailor a summer plot strategy that supports your goals for deer herd growth and hunting success.
Don’t wait until fall to start your season. Build better bucks now with a summer food plot designed by the professionals at decemberranch.com.