By Heath Wood
For years, Big & J's BB2 line has earned a reputation among hunters for its ability to pull deer into camera range and keep them returning to a feeding site. Ten years ago, I had my first experience with BB2. A month into feeding BB2, I began noticing more bucks showing up in front of my cameras. Being cautious of new products, I was skeptical. Then, on a hot summer evening, while replenishing my feeding site, I got the confirmation that I needed. When walking up to my site, I could smell the strong aroma of the BB2, several yards away. If I could smell it, I could only imagine how far the deer were smelling it. For years, the neighboring property kept the majority of mature bucks, except during the rut. They had more food, and bucks simply didn’t want to leave. The long range attractant was now bringing deer from much farther distances than in years past, when feeding corn or other attractants. And, to top it off, it was what deer needed, rather than just something to eat, like corn.
Most traditional attractants often focus solely on bringing deer in, but today's hunters and land managers are increasingly looking for products that provide both attraction and nutritional benefits. That's where the new Big & J's BB2 20+ enters the picture.
Built from the original BB2 formula and redesigned to deliver improved performance, BB2 20+ combines the long range attraction that made the BB2 name famous with a nutritional profile aimed at supporting herd health, body condition, and antler development.
What is BB2 20+?
BB2 20+ is a high protein deer feed and attractant designed for year round use. Unlike many attractants that function primarily to get deer to a certain spot quickly, BB2 20+ is formulated to provide nutritional value while still maintaining the aroma and palatability that encourage deer to visit consistently.
The formula features:
- 20% minimum protein
- Balanced crude fat and fiber levels
- Highly digestible ingredients
- Enhanced aroma for long-range attraction
- Improved palatability to encourage repeat visits
The goal with new BB2 20+ is simple, attract deer today while contributing to their nutritional needs throughout the year. Not just when it is time to hunt.
First Impressions in the Field
One of the first things you'll notice when opening a bag of BB2 20+ is its strong scent profile. Big & J has always emphasized aroma as a key component of attraction, and this updated formula appears to build upon that foundation. After receiving a shipment of BB2 20+, I accidentally ripped open a bag while storing it in my garage. For weeks, I could walk into my garage and immediately smell the strong aroma. No wonder deer love that smell!
After taking it into the woods, I quickly found that it pours easily and can be spread in front of trail cameras without much effort. It works well along travel corridors, near stand sites, and around established feeding areas. For more remote locations that are harder to access due to rough roads, difficult terrain, or where minimizing human scent and pressure is important, the BB2 20+ Blocks are also a great option. They last longer and are easier to transport in a large pack, on an electric bike, or in a vehicle. Whether using the bags or the blocks, their digestibility and nutritional value make them a natural fit for both off-season feeding programs and, where legal, use during hunting season.
Hunters looking to inventory more bucks with trail cameras will appreciate how quickly deer find new feed sites, while land managers can utilize it as part of a broader herd improvement program. Either way, it is good for hunters. Attractants often get deer to stop, but nutrition helps keep them coming back. The 20% protein content is one of the standout features of BB2 20+. Protein plays a critical role in antler development, muscle growth, lactation, and better milk quality in does, which helps fawn development and overall body condition for all deer.
Combined with a balanced fat-to-fiber ratio, the formula is designed to maximize digestibility and nutrient utilization. While no supplemental feed can replace quality habitat and native forage, products like BB2 20+ can help bridge nutritional gaps during stressful periods such as after the rut, late winter, summer antler growth, or unexpected drought conditions.
Who Should Consider BB2 20+?
BB2 20+ makes the most sense for hunters who think beyond opening day. If the goal includes growing healthier deer, helping antler development, improving doe and fawn nutrition, creating consistent feeding patterns, or enhancing trail camera inventories, then BB2 20+ offers advantages that go beyond traditional attractants. It can serve as both a scouting tool and a management tool, helping establish repeat visits while providing supplemental nutrition. Big & J built its reputation on creating products that attract deer, and BB2 20+ is taking that concept a step further. By combining the proven attraction qualities of the original BB2 formula with 20% protein and improved digestibility, the company has created a product that appeals to both hunters and serious land managers.
The biggest strength of BB2 20+ is that it doesn't force hunters to choose between attraction and nutrition; it provides both in a single bag. For properties where herd health is just as important as hunting success, that's a combination worth considering.