There is no shortage of deer attractants promising to bring bucks running. Big & J BB2 gets attention because it combines feed with an aroma designed to help deer find the site. But if you are looking at a bag of original BB2 and a bag of Apple BB2, which one belongs in your hunting setup?
The short answer: start with original BB2 if you want to try the standard formula. Choose Apple BB2 if you specifically want the apple version. Both can be used at a trail-camera site where feeding is legal. Neither guarantees a daylight buck or replaces good habitat, smart stand placement, and a little patience.
Big & J BB2 at a glance
Product | Best reason to choose it | Format | Available sizes listed by Big & J |
|---|---|---|---|
Try the brand’s standard formula | Granular feed and attractant | 6, 20 and 40 lb | |
Try BB2 with an apple aroma | Granular feed and attractant | 6 and 20 lb currently shown as size options; the product description also mentions 40 lb |
Check the actual bag for ingredients, guaranteed analysis, directions and current package size. Listings and sizes can change.
What is Big & J deer feed with legit minerals?
BB2 is Big & J’s feed and attractant for whitetail deer. The company highlights its aroma, protein, and total digestible nutrients. The idea is simple: put feed at a permitted site, give deer a reason to investigate it, and use a trail camera to see what is moving through the area.
There is a distinction worth making. Big & J says BB2 can draw deer and support their nutrition. That does not mean one bag will hold deer on a property, produce larger antlers, or turn a nocturnal buck into a daylight regular. Natural food, weather, pressure, habitat, and season all influence what happens at a feed site.
Big & J also makes other BB2 products, including higher-protein blends, pellets, a cube, and liquid. This guide focuses on original BB2 and Apple BB2 so you can make a clear choice between the two granular formulas.
Deer attractant and nutrition: Why BB2 is different
Big & J Industries builds its BB2 line around two jobs: getting deer to investigate a site and giving them something more substantial than an appealing smell. The company emphasizes digestible energy, protein, and fat in its approach to deer nutrition. That makes the label more useful than a promise about long-range attraction: read the guaranteed analysis before deciding what role a bag will play in your feeding plan.
Spring and summer are important nutritional periods for whitetails. Bucks are developing antlers, and does may be supporting pregnancy or nursing fawns. From roughly March through August, the quality of natural forage and the availability of protein, energy, and minerals can influence herd condition. Big & J markets BB2 products to attract deer while supporting their health and development, but feed alone is not a guarantee of success. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are part of antler development, but a mineral product or bag of feed cannot make up for poor habitat on its own.
Big & J also sells specialized products under the BB2 name, with 10% to 30% minimum protein stated across its 10+, 20+, and 30+ blends. Those percentages refer to those particular products; they are not the guaranteed protein levels for the original BB2 or Apple BB2. The brand positions BB2 30+ for higher nutritional demand and antler development, but 'full potential' depends on the whole diet, age, and habitat. This is background on the lineup, not a third product pick in this guide.
For deer hunting, the practical attraction benefit is information. A consistent, legal camera site can help you inventory deer and learn movement patterns before the season. A distant scent claim is hard to measure; repeat visits and the time stamped on your trail-camera photos are evidence you can actually use.
Original Big & J BB2: The one to try first
If you have never used Big & J deer feed, original BB2 is the sensible starting point. The 6-pound bag offers a manageable trial at a trail-camera site; larger bags make more sense once you know deer are using that location and you have a reason to keep it supplied.
Big & J describes the product as both feed and attractant, combining a strong aroma with nutrition that may help support deer as they develop. Place it where it's legal, set a camera to capture the approach and the feed, and pay attention to when deer show up. A pile that disappears overnight tells you something different from repeated daylight visits.
Best for: A first BB2 trial, scouting a legal feed site, and comparing the formula with what you already use for scouting success. Consider before buying: Bag size, cost per pound, and the feed analysis printed on the package.
See original BB2 product details
Big & J Apple BB2: The apple-scented option
Apple BB2 takes the BB2 concept in an apple direction. If deer on your property respond well to apple-scented attractants, or you simply want to test that version against the original, it is the logical second choice.
Do not assume the bags are nutritionally identical because both carry the BB2 name. Read the guaranteed analysis and ingredients on each package. If you are comparing their performance, use the same camera location and give each a meaningful observation period. A single busy night is interesting; a pattern over several weeks is useful for building a deer inventory and identifying travel routes.
Best for: Hunters who want an apple-scented BB2 feed and attractant.
Consider before buying: The exact package label and the delivered cost per pound.
Original BB2 vs. Apple BB2: Which is better?
Neither has an automatic advantage on every property. If you have no reason to favor apple, start with Original BB2. If you want an apple aroma, choose Apple BB2. What matters is whether deer use the site consistently and whether the product fits your budget.
For a useful comparison, keep your camera location, placement, and review period as consistent as possible. Note visits, daylight activity, how quickly each bag disappears, and the total cost. Seasonal changes can still affect the results, so do not mistake a before-and-after camera check for a controlled scientific test.
How to use Big & J deer feed
- Check the rules for the exact property. Wildlife feeding and hunting over bait can be regulated differently by state, zone, season, and chronic wasting disease area. Big & J itself directs users to check local regulations, and availability can also depend on shipping restrictions, so confirm whether Big & J can ship to your state before ordering.
- Choose a site you can observe. A trail camera on the approach helps you see movement, not just animals standing at the feed. Respect property boundaries and avoid creating a feeding site beside a roadway.
- Start small. Try one formula at a consistent location before buying several large bags or changing your whole setup.
- Write down what happens. Track visits, time of day, how long the feed lasts, and cost per pound. Those details make the next purchase easier to judge, and trail-camera notes can also show whether a feed site is improving inventory confidence and movement-pattern success over time.
- Keep disease concerns in mind. Feeding can concentrate deer. Follow current wildlife-agency guidance, particularly in areas affected by chronic wasting disease.
Is BB2 better than corn?
Corn is a familiar, often less expensive feed source. BB2 is a formulated feed and attractant with a scent profile that Big & J emphasizes, as well as digestible energy and protein. That difference may be worth trying if you are scouting a camera site or want to compare how deer respond. It does not make BB2 the automatic choice for every feeding program.
Compare the actual cost per pound, the guaranteed analysis on the bag and what your camera shows. Neither corn nor BB2 can guarantee a mature buck in shooting light.
Frequently asked questions
Does Big & J BB2 work?
It is designed to attract deer and support their nutrition, with the goal of helping them develop over time. Results on your property depend on deer movement, natural food, season, placement, and hunting pressure. A trail camera gives you a better answer than a general product claim, though Big & J is widely known for deer attractants and supplements.
What is the difference between original BB2 and Apple BB2?
Apple BB2 is the apple-aroma version. Check the current labels if you need an exact ingredient or nutrient comparison; do not infer that the formulas are otherwise identical.
How much BB2 should I put out?
Follow the directions on the specific bag and applicable local rules. Start with a manageable amount at a camera site, observe use, and avoid putting out more than your setup calls for.
Can you put BB2 in a deer feeder?
Check your feeder’s instructions and the feed’s size and texture before filling it. Big & J also sells a distinct BB2 pellet product intended for feeder use; the granular bags discussed here should not be assumed to flow through every feeder.
Can I use Big & J deer feed during deer hunting season?
Only where current laws and property rules permit it. State rules may also affect whether feed can be available is to you, not just whether you can use it once it arrives. Feeding rules, baiting rules, and restrictions in disease-management areas can differ. Check with your state wildlife agency before putting out feed or hunting in its area.
Does BB2 grow bigger antlers?
Nutrition plays a role in deer health, especially in late spring and late summer, when proper minerals and overall nutrition matter for herd health as bucks develop antlers. Protein, energy, and minerals all matter, but a feed product alone cannot promise a particular antler result. Age, genetics, habitat, and the overall diet matter. Treat antler-growth language as a manufacturer claim, not a guaranteed outcome.
The GearApple verdict
Original BB2 is the easy first pick. Apple BB2 is the one to try when you want an apple-scented version or a direct comparison on your property. Start with a small bag, use a camera, watch the pattern of visits, and decide whether the results justify another purchase. That is more useful than choosing a deer feed based on the boldest promise on the bag, and it matches what hunters love: straightforward testing and review. Order today!
