STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH
SUMMER PROTEIN. YOUR WAY.™
Premium Deer Vetch packaged in a convenient 5 lb bucket for hunters who want the flexibility of a single-species seed without buying bulk quantities. Plant it alone, add it to an existing warm-season plot, or use it to build your own custom blend.
PERFECT FOR
• Adding high-protein forage to warm-season plots
• Building custom summer food plot blends
• Spicing up existing food plots
• Hunters who don’t need a 50 lb bag of seed
• Adding diversity to established planting programs
• Small plots, test plots, and targeted applications
✔ Premium Single-Species Seed
✔ Plant Alone or Add To Existing Plots
✔ Build Your Own Custom Blend
✔ Proven At The Testing Grounds™
Couldn't load pickup availability
Find STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH Near You
Enter your location to see the closest dealers currently carrying Backwoods STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH
STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH
SIX REASONS HUNTERS PLANT STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH
One Seed. More Options.
High-Protein Forage
Provides highly attractive warm-season forage during a critical period for antler development, lactation, and overall herd condition.
Build Your Own Blend
Combine Deer Vetch with other compatible warm-season species to create a planting tailored to your property and management goals.
Improve Food Plots
Add Deer Vetch to established warm-season plantings to increase forage diversity and nutritional value.
Convenient 5lb Size
Get the amount you actually need without purchasing, splitting, or storing a bulky 50 lb farm-store bag.
Naturally Fixes Nitrogen
As a legume, Deer Vetch works with beneficial soil bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen and contribute to soil fertility.
Maximum Flexibilty
Plant it by itself, use it as an enhancement, experiment with a small plot, or make it one component of a larger custom program.
IS STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH THE RIGHT CHOICE?
What To Expect
FROM FAST ESTABLISHMENT TO YEARS OF TOUGH PERFORMANCE.
10-14 Days
Rapid Germination
With adequate moisture and warm soil temperatures, seedlings emerge quickly and begin establishing an aggressive root system.
30-45 Days
Early Forage Production
Plants begin producing
highly palatable, protein-rich forage that attracts deer throughout the growing
season.
60 Days
Peak Summer Nutrition
A vigorous stand delivers
exceptional forage during antler growth, fawning, and summer herd recovery
while contributing nitrogen back to the soil.
WHAT'S INSIDE STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH
One Species. One Purpose.
Deer Vetch is a warm-season annual legume valued for its highly palatable forage, excellent protein production, and natural ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Plant it alone or mix with compatible species to build customized summer food plots.
Dial It In™
Success Starts With Timing
Where & When To Plant
Zone 1: April - June
Zone 2: April - June
Zone 3: April - June
Zone 4: May - June
Zone 5: May - June
Zone 6: May - June
PLANTING RULE
• Plant after all danger of frost has passed
• Soil temperatures should consistently exceed 65°F
• Plant just ahead of a soaking rainfall
Planting windows are general guidelines and may vary by local elevation, climate, and seasonal weather conditions.
Planting At A Glance
Coverage
Up To 1/4 Acre
Planting Depth
1/4" - 1/2"
Planting Method
Broadcast or Drill
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil Ph
6.0 - 7.0
Moisture
Moderate
Common Mistakes
✗ Planting before soils have warmed
✗ Skipping soil test
✗ Allowing weeds to compete during establishment
✗ Applying too much nitrogen
✗ Planting too deep
✗ Skipping fertilizer
✗ Planting into heavy grass competition
View Full Planting Instructions
PREPARATION
Start with a clean, weed-free seedbed by spraying or tilling existing vegetation. Create a firm seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact. Remove excessive residue that may interfere with seed placement.
SOIL TEST & FERTILITY
Conduct a soil test whenever possible and adjust soil pH to approximately 6.0–7.0. Apply phosphorus and potassium according to soil test recommendations. Because Deer Vetch fixes nitrogen, excessive nitrogen fertilizer is generally unnecessary after establishment.
PLANTING RATE
Broadcast (Prepared Seedbed): 20 lbs/acre
Broadcast (No-Till): 25 lbs/acre
Drill: 15 lbs/acre
PLANTING DEPTH
Plant ¼–½ inch deep. Seed placed deeper than ½ inch may experience reduced emergence.
TIMING
Plant after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have reached at least 65°F. Warm soils and adequate moisture promote rapid germination and vigorous summer growth.
MOISTURE
Plant into adequate soil moisture or immediately before a soaking rainfall. Consistent moisture during establishment greatly improves
stand success.
ADJUSTING FOR PLS & GERMINATION
Recommended planting rates assume 100% Pure Live Seed (PLS) and 100% germination. Actual seed quality varies by lot. To determine an adjusted planting rate, divide the recommended seeding rate by the PLS percentage multiplied by the germination percentage (both expressed as decimals). Adjusting for PLS and germination ensures proper stand density and maximum forage production.
Build Your Complete Hunting Program
Step 1: Build Fertility
Step 2: Plant STRAIGHT SHOT™ DEER VETCH
Step 3: Increase Diversity
Step 4: Supplement Your Herd
Step 5: Increase Mineral Intake
Step 6: Reliable Feed Delivery
Step 7: Spring Overseed
EVERY PRODUCT MUST EARN THE BACKWOODS® NAME.
Nothing earns the Backwoods® name until it proves itself in the field.
Every Backwoods® food plot, attractant, mineral, supplement, and feeder is developed and evaluated under real hunting conditions—not just test plots or research stations.
If it doesn't perform for us, it never reaches your property.
We don't build products to sell. We build products we trust enough to use ourselves.
Tested by hunters. Proven by deer.
At The Testing Grounds™
• Hundreds of acres evaluated
• Year-round field testing
• Real hunting pressure
• Properties in multiple regions
• Trail camera monitored
• Product performance documented
NOT SURE WHICH PLOT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Best For: High-protein summer forage and custom warm-season blends.
Best For: Maximum protein and long-term production.
Best For: Drought tolerance and browse resistance.
Best For: Highly attractive cool-season protein.
Real Plots. Real Deer. Real Results.
PROVEN IN THE REAL WORLD
Every photo on this page comes from real Backwoods® food plots planted and evaluated at The Testing Grounds™ and on customer properties across the country. No stock photography. No staged results. Just real-world performance.
Know Before You Grow
What is Straight Shot™ Deer Vetch?
Straight Shot™ Deer Vetch is a premium single-species warm-season legume packaged in a convenient 5 lb bucket for hunters who want to build custom food plot blends, enhance existing plantings, or establish small food plots without purchasing bulk seed.
Can I plant Deer Vetch by itself?
Yes. Deer Vetch performs well as a standalone planting but is commonly mixed with other warm-season legumes and forages to increase diversity and overall nutrition.
Is Deer Vetch a perennial?
No. Deer Vetch is a warm-season annual that completes its life cycle within one growing season.
Does Deer Vetch fix nitrogen?
Yes. As a legume, Deer Vetch naturally fixes atmospheric nitrogen through beneficial soil bacteria, helping improve soil fertility for
future crops.
Does Deer Vetch require fertilizer?
Phosphorus and potassium are important for establishment. Nitrogen requirements are relatively low once the plants begin fixing their own nitrogen. Always fertilize according to a soil test.
Can I overseed Deer Vetch into an existing plot?
Yes. It works well for increasing forage diversity and protein production in existing warm-season plots, provided adequate
seed-to-soil contact is achieved.
Can I mix Deer Vetch with other Straight Shot™ varieties?
Absolutely. Deer Vetch pairs well with Buckshot™ Alfalfa, Antler Chicory, and other compatible warm-season species to build a customized planting program.
Why is Straight Shot™ packaged in a 5 lb bucket?
Most hunters don't need a 50 lb bag. Straight Shot™ provides premium single-species seed in convenient food-plot-sized packaging, making it easy to customize plots without unnecessary waste or storage.