There are many debates about what deer will and will not eat. One common question is: do deer eat corn on the cob?
Yes, deer love corn and will eat it directly off the cob, but they will not eat the cob itself. Corn is a deer’s favorite food and provides vitamins which are critical to deer’s survival.
There’s a bit more to learn about deer eating corn on the cob which we’ll cover in today’s guide. Read on for more info.
Why Do Deer Eat Corn On The Cob?
As we covered, deer will eat corn on the cob when they’ve got the chance.
But why do they do this?
Well, for one, deer love the taste of corn. Corn’s sweet taste is exactly what deer go after.
Additionally, deer will consume a wide variety of foods like corn on the cob based on opportunity.
They’re also more resistant against disease and insects, which deer prefer.
In fact, some people specifically choose to grow corn on the cobs on the outer edges of food plots to attract deer.
If you’re not convinced, leave some corn on the cob out for deer to eat (or plant some), and wait to see what happens!
Are Corn On The Cob Good For Deer?
Feeding deer corn on the cob provides them with the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Magnesium
These vitamins and minerals provide deer with many benefits.
For example, vitamin C will help protect deer against scurvy and vitamin assists in deer immune system function.
Magnesium is great for antler growth, increasing body weight, and has immune system benefits for deer.
Potassium is excellent for deer because it helps maintain good pH balance and aid in proper digestion.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins For Deer
Vitamins A, D, E, K, and calcium are fat-soluble, so they can be stored in the deer’s fat and liver to be used later as needed.
This means that vitamin E content from deer eating corn on the cob can be “stored up” for later use, which is highly beneficial.
Water-Soluble Vitamins For Deer
Vitamin C, B Vitamins, niacin, folic acid, and potassium are all water-soluble, which means they cannot be stored, so they must be replaced continually.
So a deer that eats corn on the cob for the vitamin C or potassium content must continue to consume foods that contain these necessary vitamins to stay healthy.
How To Feed Deer Corn On The Cob
There are a few things to keep in mind when feeding deer corn on the cob: the size of the portion, your scent, and how many deer you’re feeding.
Make sure to place the corn cobs on the ground where they’re visible and can be easily reached by deer.
If you’ve got a winter food plot with corn growing in it, the deer will eat them right off the ground or even right off the stalk.
If deer are not normally around your area in winter, don’t feed them leading up to winter as they will not migrate where and when they should.
This will lead to the deer relying on you as their food source and can result in starvation.
Should I Shuck Corn On The Cob For Deer To Eat?
You can feed deer corn on the cob as-is, and just leave it on the ground.
Don’t Leave Your Scent On Deer Food
Deer have a keen sense of smell that allows them to smell human scent farther than bloodhounds can, and can smell up to six different scents at once.
Deer won’t eat food like corn on the cob if they have a strong human scent on them, so you should take care to minimize your trace.
You can do this by rinsing the corn on the cob and also washing your hands with antimicrobial soap.
Alternatively, you can put a few drops of apple cider vinegar on your hands when handling food you’ll be giving to the deer.
Another easy option is to use gloves when handling corn on the cob for deer to eat.
Consider The Amount Of Deer You’re Feeding
If you have lots of deer in your area, think twice about putting out food continuously for them.
If you bring deer together at the same feeding site, it can increase their risk of contracting chronic wasting disease or other communicable diseases from each other.
Do Deer Eat Corn Cobs?
So do deer eat the cobs without corn on it?
Deer don’t like eating corn cobs without corn on them.
The main attraction for the deer is the corn itself, so don’t leave out plain corn cobs for them, as they will just sit on the ground.
Can Deer Eat Corn On The Cob? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat corn on the cob?
The answer is yes!
Deer will eat corn on the cob if it’s available, and they can actually benefit from the vitamins and minerals found in corn.
Just be sure to take care with your scent, the size of the portion, and how many deer you’re feeding when placing corn cobs out for them.
Have any observations to add to the discussion? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Check our our other helpful wildlife guides while you’re here: