Nutritional habitat quality in unmanaged southeastern forests often is limited because a dense midstory and litter layer impede growth of high‐quality, shade‐intolerant forage species. Management actions often are designed to improve the quantity of natural forages and to supplement natural forages with agronomic plantings. We evaluated the use of a selective herbicide, prescribed fire, and fertilizer to improve forage production for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in naturally regenerated, mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands in north‐central Mississippi, treated during 1998–1999. We compared nutritional quality and production of selected forages in treated plots (n=4) and untreated plots (n=4) during years 2 and 3 post‐treatment. We also measured quality and production of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) produced in food plots (n=4). Treatment plots produced an average of 435 kg/ha of leaf biomass and 34 kg/ha of digestible protein; untreated plots averaged 119 kg/ha of leaf biomass and 7 kg/ha of digestible protein. Cowpea food plots produced 545 kg/ha of leaf biomass and 110 kg/ha of digestible protein. Carrying‐capacity estimates (deer‐days/ha) increased from 7 in untreated plots to 268 in treated plots. Extrapolated over a 10‐year economic planning horizon, the cost of producing digestible protein was $8/kg for treated plots and $15/kg for cowpea food plots. Vegetation treatments as described can cost‐effectively produce high‐quality, natural deer forages.

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