When we experience an especially harsh winter, many people worry about how deer are coping. From the warmth of our homes and the daily routine of feeding domestic stock and pets, it is often assumed that we can and should help deer survive the rigors of winter by feeding them.
Background:
Deer have several natural adaptations that help them survive winter. These include a thick winter coat of hollow hair and the storage of fat through summer/fall for use during the winter. Deer also go to 'yards' during the deep snow period of winter. Yards are areas that offer the ability to move about easily because of reduced snow levels, while providing shelter and a nearby source of food. These yards are generally coniferous forests with a closed canopy which breaks the wind and helps intercept snow. Deer develop a network of trails within these yards as they travel to and from feeding. Throughout winter they keep the trails open for easy travel and greater ability to escape predators. As well, when deer are grouped together, many eyes, ears and noses are very effective in detecting predators.
Deer have also adapted to our northern climate by reducing their activity during January - February. Their overall metabolism actually slows down so they require less food - much like turning the thermostat down. However, despite these adaptations, adult deer routinely lose up to 20% of body weight during winter, regardless of the amount or quality of food present.
That is not to say that winter is not a problem to deer. On the contrary, each year a portion of the provincial deer herd will not survive winter, usually due to starvation. Snow not only covers much of their food (grasses, forbes, leaves and low shrubs) but their ability to move about becomes severely restricted when their sinking depth in snow reaches about 50 cm. The first animals to succumb to the rigors of winter are generally fawns and yearlings (which have little fat reserve to fall back on) and the old or sick. The amount of starvation depends on the severity of winter, quality of winter range and the number of deer competing for food in any given area.
A deer herd's ability to survive winter depends on several factors. First, the condition of deer going into winter is important. The amount of stored fat is a measure of energy available to draw on during winter. Then the severity of winter weather (duration of cold weather and depth of snow) will determine how much energy is needed. As well, stress through disturbance caused by humans, dogs or predators will use energy reserves, and finally, the amount of food available through winter. Together, these factors will determine if a deer will starve or survive. A very long and cold winter with persistent deep snow, will cause exhaustion of fat reserves and together with the lack of accessible food
the result may be starvation and eventually death.
When winter has become severe, people often consider giving supplementary feed to deer. The issue of winter-feeding is not only a question of whether to feed deer or not, but one must consider when to feed, what and how to feed, and the costs and benefits of doing so. It must be done properly. The wrong method can harm or even kill deer.
Problems with Feeding Deer in Winter:
- First we must ask ourselves, "If we are successful in feeding deer properly, and as a result more deer survive the winter in good shape and give birth to healthy and strong fawns, what will the situation be next winter?" Eventually deer numbers will exceed the carrying capacity of the natural habitat and more deer will be dependant on our handouts. Can we keep the feeding program going at greater capacity each year?
- Even though fed, deer will continue to browse on nearby natural foods. Eventually most natural browse in the area will be eliminated. The same site will have very little natural food to offer the following year.
- Concentrating deer around feeders near our homes, may cause a number of problems. Property damage in the area may increase by their browsing on ornamental shrubs and trees. They may become a hazard to local traffic as they move to and from the feeding site. Domestic dogs will begin chasing and even killing deer.
- Deer are more vulnerable to coyotes during deep snow periods. If deer concentrate at a supplementary feeding site that is not associated with adequate cover and opportunities to escape predators, they may be more easily taken by coyotes.
- Deer that are concentrated, regardless of snow depth, are more susceptible to disease.
- Improper diets are often fed. These lead to digestive upset and potentially death.
- If not enough food is provided or if it is not distributed properly, aggression and fighting will occur at the feeding site. Most often it will be the deer that need the feed most that will get the least.
For these reasons, feeding deer in winter is generally not accepted as a good management practice. The Department of Lands and Forestry generally discourages feeding deer except in special circ*mstances, and then it must be done properly if our efforts are to actually be of overall benefit to the deer.
The Advantage of Feeding Deer:
First we must ask ourselves, "Why do we want to feed deer?" If it is to make ourselves feel good or to see more deer from our kitchen window, perhaps we should reconsider. These are reasons for our benefit, not necessarily for the benefit of deer.
The main reason for feeding deer is to prevent a large die-off due to starvation.
Further, if deer make it to spring in relatively good condition, they are more likely to give birth to strong and healthy fawns with an increased chance of survival.
How to Properly Feed Deer:
A proper feeding program requires the following essential elements:
- An efficient delivery system to get food to deer on an established trail network,
- A method to deliver the food until the end of winter, and
- An adequate supply of the right type of food.
Where to Feed:
First, make sure you have landowner permission before initiating any feeding program.
Deer must have good quality cover in close proximity to where the food is delivered. It may be tempting to feed them where it is most convenient or entertaining for ourselves. However, the wrong location could result in more harm than good.
Find where the deer are and what areas they are using as cover. This will likely mean using a snowmobile or walking with snowshoes. Remember, your searching may disturb and stress them which uses energy reserves.
If you don't find their network of trails, pack trails with snowshoes allowing the deer to approach and leave the feeding site from many directions.
What To Feed:
Natural winter food for deer consists primarily of woody browse from hardwood twigs and occasionally needles of balsam fir. The most preferred browse species include: sugar, red, mountain and striped maple; yellow and white birch, witch and beaked hazel and red oak.
Deer have problems with many diets that livestock consume easily. Deer depend on a variety of bacteria and microorganisms in their rumen (stomach) to break down food. A change in diet requires a change in the population of these microorganisms to process the new food properly. Other problems such as "acidosis" (excess acid buildup in the rumen) and scours (diarrhea) may occur if they are given cereal grains. It is therefore important to gradually introduce artificial feed in an area where natural food is also available.
1. Natural Food. If possible, it is best to feed natural food. To do this, cut down a few of the preferred hardwood trees mentioned above. Again, make a number of trails from the new feed to their cover area. Check these trees every few days and turn them so all the branches can be used. The number of trees needed and when to provide more will depend on how many deer there are in the area. In the spring/summer, you can return and cut the same trees for firewood. By doing this you are not only immediately providing food to the deer, but over the next few years a large number of suckers will grow from the stumps and other shrubs and saplings will grow in the clearing you have created. Both short term and long term feeding is accomplished.
2. Deer Pellets. Most farm feed outlets carry a specially formulated ration for deer or can tell you where it can be bought. This feed is specially formulated for deer with consideration of their energy, protein and fiber needs, as well as digestibility. At first deer may not recognize these pellets as food but if introduced with small amounts of corn, oats or alfalfa, they will gradually become accustomed to the new food.
3. Cereal Grains. Although not as well balanced a diet as Deer Pellets, rolled oats or coarsely milled oats are easily digested and reduce the possibility of problems associated with a sudden diet change. Whole corn and whole oats can also be used and are often readily available. A ratio of 1:1 to 1:4 corn:oats is recommended.
Avoid feeding pure corn, barley or wheat as they are too high in starch and may cause digestive problems leading to death.
As with pellets, these foods can be placed in handful amounts on well packed snow
preferably under conifer trees to prevent being covered with snow. Once the deer have become accustomed to this type of feed, it can be delivered by laying feed bags on the ground and cutting a large panel out on the top side. This will keep the feed together and off the ground, reducing waste. Hoppers like those used to feed domestic cattle or sheep, may also be used.
4. Hay or Alfalfa. Caution should be used when feeding hay or alfalfa as deer (especially when in starved condition) may have problems digesting them. Introduce this feed gradually and ensure natural foods are also available.
5. Fruit & Vegetables. Although deer will eat apples, carrots, cabbage, etc., their use is not recommended. They are like candy to a child
tasty but of little value in providing a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
As can be seen, feeding is not just a matter of throwing a few bread crusts off the back porch. If you want to feed deer effectively (to their benefit) ensure you do it properly with the energy and resources to continue until the end of winter.
Other Recommendations:
- Start early in winter to allow deer the ability to find and become accustomed to the new feed and for their rumen microorganisms to adjust.
- Use the same feed throughout winter.
- Provide food at a number of locations to ensure all have a chance to feed. This will also minimize aggression.
- Keep the feed dry if using pellets or cereal grains. Wet feed will likely not be consumed.
- Ensure a constant supply of feed is provided. Check after each snowfall that the feed is not covered.
- Increase the amount of feed available in late winter when need is the greatest and activity levels have increased.
- As spring approaches and snow is no longer deep, or if deer are no longer coming to the site, feeding should be discontinued.
It is a difficult and expensive task to feed deer in winter, and it may not achieve the desired results. However, if you decide to take up the challenge, by following this advice, deer should realize the most benefit.
For more information on feeding deer in winter or woodlot management for the benefit of deer and other wildlife, contact the Department of Lands and Forestry Wildlife Biologist for your area.
FAQs
In these areas, corn, soybeans, grains, and brassicas can all be highly sought after and extremely nutritious. Corn and grains are full of carbohydrates, while soybeans provide a lot of carbohydrates and fat. These are both great for the unique nutritional needs for deer in the winter.
Do deer eat carrots? ›
Over time, it has become not just an edible food for humans, but deer are also consuming these vegetables. Deer love to eat carrots, which is bad for farmers and can cost them millions of dollars per year.
Do deer eat apples? ›
Deer love apples and other vegetables and fruits. The ample nutrients and tasty flavor contained in apples provide their nutritional needs and keep them healthy. Whether these apples are fresh or rotten is not really a factor for these deer.
What should you not feed deer? ›
As ruminants, deer have a specific blend of microbes in their stomach that break down their naturally high-fiber diet. Large amounts of carbohydrate-rich, low fiber foods like deer corn can disrupt this microbiome — leading to bouts of severe diarrhea and dehydration that could be deadly.
What feed attracts deer the most? ›
By far the most popular and widely used bait for attracting whitetails is corn. Not only is deer corn highly consumed and well received by whitetails in almost every habitat across the continent, but it's also one of the cheapest options for hunters.
What will attract deer fast? ›
Food Plots
From larger plots of forage soybeans covering 10 or more acres, to small parcels of broken tree canopy planted to brassica; various crops including corn, milo, turnips, peas, clover, and alfalfa will attract and keep deer. One of the surest ways to attract deer is through their stomach.
What is the best time of day to feed deer? ›
Best Times to Set Your Deer Feeder
- In a wide field, you may see better results by running the feeder closer to sunrise and sunset. Deer tend to like open areas more at those times.
- Next to tree cover, you may get deer using it for longer periods, since they are more comfortable next to the woods.
Feed Times
“You don't want the deer coming in too early and vacuuming up what is thrown out before legal shooting light arrives.” “And in the afternoon, I like to feed around 4:30 or 4:45 p.m. where we hunt. You want to see if you can pull them in with plenty of shooting time remaining.
Is salt good for deer? ›
They need salt to create hydrochloric acid, which helps the digestion of food in their stomach. Deer's salt requirements vary depending on the season. Different deer species require salt intake in different seasons. For example, the white-tailed deer need salt during the summer and spring seasons.
What is deer's favorite vegetable? ›
When food is scarce, deer eat just about anything, including prickly-stemmed okra and hot peppers. Vegetables that deer seem to prefer include beans, lettuce, cabbage, and cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
A small amounts of white bread cannot do any harm, but if a single deer were to eat anything more than a few slices of bread there is always the potential for life-threatening lacticacidosis. It is certainly not wise to put out large amounts because you cannot control how much each deer might eat.
Do deer get cold? ›
A deer's winter coat has hollow guard hairs over a furry undercoat that helps keep its body heat inside. Deer are so insulated that their body heat doesn't even escape enough to melt the snow on their backs, so they don't feel the cold from the snow.
Are potatoes good for deer? ›
The answer to your question is No. Like other root vegetables, deer do not like root vegetables. First, the actual goodies demand a great deal of digging. Secondly, potatoes have many aspects at the top that are not attractive to them.
Will deer eat lemons? ›
The bad news is that they WILL eat citrus from time to time. Many lemon tree varieties have thorns when they're quite young (these disappear as the tree grows older), but lemon tree thorns won't stop a determined deer.
How many people can a deer feed? ›
With one deer able to feed up to 200 people, it's easy to see how important donations of hunter-harvested venison are to charitable food providers. Last year in Missouri, for example, 4,500 hunters donated more than 227,000 pounds of venison through a state program.
What are 3 things deer need to survive? ›
For deer to survive they need food, water, shelter/cover, and space to move about and find their daily requirements. These are the essential components of habitat.
How much does a deer eat in a day? ›
With access to well-placed feeders, free ranging deer will consume 2 to 4 pounds of feed per day per animal. During winter, when options are limited, deer will eat up to 4 or 5 pounds per day. What nutrition they don't use right away, bucks will store up for antler growth later on.
What smell attracts deers? ›
Deer are attracted to the smell of soil as is, but if you want to up the attraction factor, pour some buck or doe urine, or scrape starter into it. This will create an exceptional trail camera site, as bucks will continue to check the scrape every time they pass by or are in the area.
How long does it take deer to find feeder? ›
It normally takes around three weeks for deer to get used to a feeder. During this transition phase, you should avoid doing any maintenance work on your feeder and let the herd get accustomed to their new food source.
What do deer do at night? ›
The quick answer is, “anywhere they want.” Deer sleep anywhere they bed and may do so singly or in groups. However, during daylight it's far more common for deer to sleep in heavy cover where they feel secure.
An important step of how to attract deer to your feeder is to introduce corn, then mix in pellets gradually. Once you've picked out a prime location, set up the feeder. Even if you'll be using pellets, the form which most supplemental nutrition comes in, start out with corn.
What is the best way to hunt deer? ›
There are basically two common ways to hunt deer (or any big game for that matter): stand-hunting and still-hunting. Stand-hunting is exactly what it sounds like. You stand, or sit, and wait. You either wait in a tree stand or a ground blind.
How do you get a deer to trust you? ›
Try to Communicate with the Deer through Bows
As soon as you get them you will be surrounded by deer. Try to find a secure place where you can face them. They know you have crackers so they will want your attention. If they are behind you they might headbutt you or pull on your clothes.
Where is the best place to put a deer feeder? ›
The best place for the feeder is in an area that deer already frequent. Putting the feeder close to busy roads, crowded housing developments, or frequented walking trails might result in the feeders going unused.
How long can a deer go without eating? ›
Remember that deer are designed for times of accumulating fat and lean times for living off of it. They can lose 20 to 30 percent of their body weight over the winter, and can actually go up to a month without eating.
Do deer feed every 12 hours? ›
Hunting Season Rollercoaster of Deer Feeding Patterns. Although deer feed 5 times during a 24 hour period, the exact time slots can often be a moving target, while reflecting a huge variety of influences.
How far off the ground for a deer feeder? ›
The optimal height for most deer feeders is approximately 40 inches, but this can be limited due to a myriad of factors. For example, putting enough legs on the feeder to get it this high may make it difficult to fill the feeder. This height measures from the ground to the port of the gravity feeder.
Do deer go to water in morning or evening? ›
Deer can go long periods without drinking anything because they often get the water they need from lush vegetation. However, deer typically leave their bedding and go to water in the evening before they find food, especially when it's convenient.
Will deer come to feeder in the rain? ›
But no, rain doesn't really affect deer. It may alter the times they are normally active, but deer still need to feed and will still go about their business as soon as the rain comes to a halt.
What is the best thing to feed deer in the winter? ›
The best option is to give them more of the winter foods they are already adapted to eating: winter browse. This includes buds and twigs of woody plants. Introducing new foods in the middle of winter, especially in high quantities all of a sudden, can actually be more harmful to deer than not feeding them at all.
Corn is composed primarily of starch, which is meant to serve as an energy source for the corn seedling after germination. The starch intended for use by the growing corn plant is also readily available to the deer, which is why deer crave corn.
What do deer like to eat in the winter? ›
Deer eat woody browse in the winter. This can be leaves, berries, saplings, bulbs, or buds. In wintertime, they will take their pickings from the ground. They can also have some lush forage such as kale, radish, turnips, apples, or cabbage if it is available.
What is deer favorite tree? ›
No tree is more revered in the whitetail world than oaks, of which there are a multitude of types. Oak trees provide an array of food to local whitetails depending on their age and variety, Duren noted. “Red oak seedlings are a favorite browse for deer, while white oak acorns provide a favored mast crop.”
What fruits deer Cannot eat? ›
A List of Edible Deer-Resistant Trees
- Fig. Figs often top lists in this regard, but they do seem a little more up for debate when it comes to what is said and what actually happens. ...
- Ginkgo Biloba. ...
- Honey Locust. ...
- Pawpaw. ...
- Persimmons. ...
- Sugar Maple.
When it comes to fruit trees, deer have a clear predilection for pears, apples, and persimmons, although they will not shy away from plums. Some pear and apple varieties are particularly cherished and appreciated by deer.
Is rice good for deer? ›
Do Deer eat rice? Yes, they do, but it depends on the season, available food and how you present the rice bran. However, rice bran can deteriorate relatively fast in many environments, as they tend to mold if wet. Therefore, if you want to use them in the raw form, do that during deer hunting.
Can deer eat popcorn? ›
Can deer eat unpopped popcorn? Absolutely. And they can eat popped popcorn, too. Particularly when you want to attract deer, it's best to provide them with a variety.
Can deer eat watermelon? ›
The answer is Yes. They eat watermelons and many other fruits. Deer particularly eat watermelons when they are ripe, which can ruin the harvest. They make holes in the watermelon rind and chew the tasty flesh on the inside.
Where do deer go when it rains? ›
In general, rain means nothing to whitetails unless it's pouring cats and dogs. When this happens, all wildlife (and human life) activity stalls until the storm is over. But when rain is light or only a steady drizzle falls, deer just go about their business as if it were a sunny day.
Where do deer go when it rains snow? ›
During a Storm
When the wind is howling and rain or snow is falling, deer will be bedded down in heavy cover. They will move, but only short distances and during lulls in the storm. Hunt the edge of cover or near a food plot with thickets nearby.
Deer are essentially red-green colorblind like some humans. Their color vision is limited to the short (blue) and middle (green) wavelength colors. As a result, deer likely can distinguish blue from red, but not green from red, or orange from red.
What do deer drink in the winter? ›
What is this? Deer will obviously stop, bend down like Bambi and drink free water any time its available. Or, they may eat snow in winter, too. However, even when free water is abundant in any form, they still satisfy most of their needs through preformed water.
Will deer eat garlic? ›
Sharply-odoured plants like onions, garlic and fennel are not palatable to deer. Similarly, strongly-scented marigolds and herbs like mint, sage, or dill can direct deer away from favoured edibles. Certain plants, such as rhubarb, are toxic to deer.
Are tomatoes good for deer? ›
What Other Plants Do Deer Eat? Deer love tomatoes, but other plants in your garden might also be at risk. Other favorites of the deer are the Swiss chard, strawberries, sweet corn, raspberries, and some varieties of beans.
Does cinnamon attract deer? ›
Some not-so-awful smells that keep deer away include mint oils (often combined with pepper and garlic), cloves and cinnamon, and citrus.
What smells do deer avoid? ›
What smells work best at deterring deer? Some smells that deer react negatively to include eggs, garlic, cloves, and mint. They're also driven away if they smell danger, so using predator scents, such as wolf urine, may work.
What can I put out to feed wild deer? ›
A wide variety of fruits and vegetables – including apples, grapes, cherries, pears, carrots, and snap peas – are eaten in nature by deer. Therefore, it is safe to feed deer these fruits. Acorns are another safe food source.
What is the cheapest way to feed a deer? ›
Corn is a cheap source of food for deer. Many hunters rely on corn for supplemental feeding because deer love corn. Corn does not contain enough protein, which is crucial for nursing fawns and growing healthy antlers, so many people add deer mineral attractants to corn in order to increase the nutritional value.
How long does it take deer to get used to a feeder? ›
It normally takes around three weeks for deer to get used to a feeder. During this transition phase, you should avoid doing any maintenance work on your feeder and let the herd get accustomed to their new food source.
How much feed does a deer eat per day? ›
A healthy deer will have a diverse diet with a variety of foods. Every day, a deer needs to eat about 6 to 8 percent of its body weight in green foliage and browse to stay healthy. For a 150-pound deer, that's up to 12 pounds of food every day!
Deer typically yield about a maximum of about 40% meat once skin, bones, and guts are removed. So – 100 pound doe should yield 40 pounds of meat. This will vary depending on amount of fat, stomach content, etc.
What sounds deer attract? ›
A high-pitched fawn bleat will certainly attract does because it's their maternal instinct to do so, even if they didn't have a fawn that year. For that reason, fawn bleats are the best deer calls on the market for attracting does.
