Deer are majestic creatures that are known for their grace and beauty. They are also known for their ability to adapt to different environments and survive in harsh conditions. Winter can be a challenging time for deer as they struggle to find food and stay warm. So what do deer eat in the winter?
Deer are herbivores and will eat a variety of foods including buds, twigs, and bark from trees and shrubs in the winter. They will also eat dried leaves and grasses that they can find under the snow. In some cases, deer may even resort to eating crops or other human food sources if they are desperate.
Understanding Deer’s Winter Diet
Deer are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to digest plant material more efficiently. During the winter months, deer’s digestive systems slow down, and they rely on stored fat reserves to survive.
A whitetail deer’s diet in the winter consists mainly of woody browse, such as twigs and buds from trees and shrubs. They also eat dried leaves, grasses, and sedges. The availability of food sources can vary depending on the region, climate, and deer herd population.
Deer are selective eaters and have a keen sense of smell, which helps them identify the most palatable and nutritious food sources. They also have eyes set back from their mouth, which allows them to see what they are eating.
It is essential to note that while it may seem helpful to feed deer during the winter, it is not recommended. Feeding deer can lead to digestive problems, and it can also alter their natural behavior, making them more susceptible to predators.
Nutritional Requirements of Deer in Winter
Deer have specific nutritional requirements in the winter to survive the harsh conditions. During the winter, the nutritional needs of bucks, does, and fawns vary slightly, but all three need water, protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and fiber to survive. In this section, we will discuss the nutritional requirements of deer in the winter.
Energy Needs
Deer require high-carbohydrate and high-fat food sources in the winter to maintain their body temperature and energy levels. They need to consume up to nine pounds of food every day to build up their fat reserves to survive the winter. The high-energy foods like nuts and fruits that they supplement with help to increase their body fat for the winter.
Protein and Minerals
Deer also need protein and minerals to maintain their muscle mass and bone density. During the winter, deer have limited access to protein and minerals, which can lead to health problems. To meet their protein requirements, deer will eat woody browse, such as buds, twigs, and bark. They also need minerals like calcium and phosphorus to maintain their bone density.
Water Intake
Deer require water to survive, even in the winter. They will obtain water from natural sources like streams, ponds, and snow. However, during the winter, natural water sources may be frozen, and deer may have limited access to water. In such cases, deer will eat snow to obtain water.
Common Winter Foods for Deer
Deer have to adapt their diets in winter to survive the colder weather. They eat a variety of foods, including woody browse, nuts and acorns, fruits and berries, brassica blend, and agricultural foods.
Woody Browse and Twigs
During winter, deer rely heavily on woody browse and twigs for their survival. They eat the buds and twigs of trees and shrubs, such as cedar, pine, hemlock, and maple. They also eat bark from trees, such as birch and aspen, in the winter when other food sources are scarce.
Nuts and Acorns
Deer also eat nuts and acorns in the winter. They are a vital source of fat and protein, which help them survive the harsh winter months. Acorns from oak trees are a favorite food of deer, and they will often spend hours searching for them.
Fruits and Berries
Fruits and berries are another important food source for deer in the winter. Apples, blackberries, and other fruits that are still on the trees or bushes provide a good source of nutrition for deer. They also eat the berries of plants such as juniper, sumac, and dogwood.
Brassica Blend
Brassica blend is a mix of plants that are high in protein and carbohydrates. It includes plants such as turnips, radishes, and kale. Deer eat the leaves and stems of these plants in the winter when other food sources are scarce.
Agricultural Foods
Deer will also eat agricultural foods in the winter. They prefer to eat corn, soybeans, and cowpeas that are lying on the ground or atop the snow. They do not like to pluck food from standing stalks. They will also scavenge for hours on harvested fields, eating any remaining crops such as oats, rye, cereal grains, alfalfa, and clover.
See Related: How To Keep Deer From Eating Plants
What Not To Feed Deer During Winter
Deer are adapted to survive the harsh winter months by relying on their natural food sources. However, some people may feel the urge to provide supplemental feed to help the deer. It is important to note that feeding deer during winter can actually do more harm than good. Here are some of the foods that should not be fed to deer during winter:
Corn
Corn is a popular option for feeding deer, but it is not a good choice for winter feeding. Corn is low in protein and high in carbohydrates, which can cause digestive problems for deer. Additionally, corn can freeze and become hard, making it difficult for deer to digest.
Hay
Hay is another common choice for feeding deer, but it is not a good option for winter feeding. Hay is low in protein and high in fiber, which can cause digestive problems for deer. Additionally, hay can become moldy if it gets wet, which can be harmful to deer.
See Related: Why Deer Shouldn’t Eat Hay
Potatoes
Feeding deer potatoes may seem like a good choice, but they are not a good option for winter feeding. Potatoes are high in starch, which can cause digestive problems for deer. Additionally, potatoes can freeze and become hard, making them difficult for deer to digest.
Lettuce or Cabbage
Lettuce and cabbage may seem like healthy options for feeding deer, but they are not good choices for winter feeding. These vegetables are low in protein and high in water, which can cause digestive problems for deer. Additionally, lettuce and cabbage can freeze and become hard, making them difficult for deer to digest.
In general, it is best to avoid feeding deer during winter. Deer are adapted to survive on their natural food sources, and supplemental feeding can cause more harm than good. If you do choose to provide supplemental feed, make sure it is a high-energy food that is specifically designed for deer and that you follow proper feeding guidelines.
Seasonal Changes in Deer’s Diet
From Fall to Winter
As the temperature drops and winter approaches, the availability of food for deer decreases. During fall, deer tend to consume a variety of foods, including browse, forbs, hard and soft mast, grass, and mushrooms. However, as winter sets in, the availability of food becomes scarce, and deer rely on their fat reserves to survive.
Deer tend to shift their diet in the fall to foods that are high in carbohydrates and fats to build up their fat reserves for winter. During this time, deer prefer to eat acorns, apples, and other fruits. They also tend to eat more browse, which includes the leaves and twigs of woody plants.
As winter sets in, deer shift their diet to foods that are high in protein and fiber to help maintain their body temperature and keep their digestive system working.
Winter to Spring Transition
During the winter to spring transition, deer rely heavily on their fat reserves to survive. The nutritional requirements of deer during this time are critical for their survival. Deer need to consume foods that are high in protein and fiber to help rebuild their body and prepare for the upcoming breeding season.
Deer tend to shift their diet in the winter to foods that are high in protein and fiber to help maintain their body temperature and keep their digestive system working. During this time, deer prefer to eat woody browse, such as the buds and twigs of trees and shrubs. They also tend to eat more grass and hay.
In March, deer are in their most vulnerable state as they have depleted their fat reserves and are preparing for the upcoming breeding season. During this time, it is crucial for deer to have access to food that is high in protein and fiber to help rebuild their body and prepare for the breeding season.
Impact of Predators and Hunting on Deer’s Winter Diet
Deer’s winter diet is influenced by many factors, including predation and hunting. Predators such as coyotes can have a significant impact on deer populations, especially during the winter months when food is scarce. Coyotes are opportunistic predators that will prey on deer when other food sources are limited. As a result, deer may need to alter their winter diet to avoid becoming prey.
In addition to natural predators, deer also face pressure from human hunters. Deer hunting is a popular activity in many parts of the country, and it can have a significant impact on deer populations. Deer hunters target adult deer, which are typically the healthiest and most productive members of the population. This can lead to a decline in the overall health and productivity of the deer population over time.
Despite the potential impact of predation and hunting on deer populations, it is important to note that these factors are not the only ones that influence deer’s winter diet. Deer are adaptable animals that can adjust their diet to changing conditions. For example, during periods of heavy snowfall, deer may rely more heavily on woody browse and other high-fiber foods to meet their nutritional needs.
Deer’s Digestion and Metabolism in Winter
Deer’s digestive system is well adapted to extract nutrients from the woody browse that makes up the bulk of their winter diet. As ruminants, deer have a four-chambered stomach: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen is the largest chamber and is responsible for breaking down cellulose and other complex carbohydrates found in browse and other fibrous foods typically consumed by deer during the winter.
Rumen Acidosis
However, the rumen is also susceptible to a condition called rumen acidosis, which occurs when the pH of the rumen drops too low. This can happen when deer consume too much high-carbohydrate food, such as corn or other grains, which can ferment quickly and produce large amounts of lactic acid. Rumen acidosis can lead to a range of health problems, including diarrhea, dehydration, and even death.
To avoid rumen acidosis, deer need to maintain a balanced diet of high-fiber foods, such as woody browse, and lower-calorie foods, such as grasses and sedges. This allows for a slow and steady release of nutrients into the rumen, which helps maintain a stable pH.
In addition to their digestive system, deer’s metabolism also changes in the winter. As temperatures drop, deer’s bodies require more energy to maintain their core temperature. To meet this increased demand, deer will often supplement their diet with higher-calorie foods, such as nuts, fruits, and even mushrooms.
Influence of Landscape and Vegetation on Deer’s Diet In Winter
Deer are herbivores and their diet varies depending on the availability of food sources in their environment. During winter, deer’s diet primarily consists of woody plants, shrubs, and grasses. However, the influence of landscape and vegetation on their diet cannot be ignored.
Deer’s diet in winter is greatly influenced by the availability of browse, which is the leafy parts of woody plants. The abundance of browse depends on the landscape and vegetation of the area. In areas with dense forests, deer have access to a variety of woody plants, including saplings, young trees, and shrubs. In open areas, deer rely on shrubs and other low-growing woody plants for browse.
Deer also consume forbs, which are herbaceous broad-leaved plants, including agricultural crops, weeds, and flowers. The availability of forbs depends on the landscape and vegetation of the area. In areas with agricultural fields, deer have access to crops such as corn and soybeans. In open areas, they rely on weeds and flowers for forage.
In addition to browse and forbs, deer also consume hard and soft mast, such as acorns and other seeds. The availability of mast depends on the landscape and vegetation of the area. In areas with oak trees, deer have access to acorns, while in other areas, they rely on other types of seeds.
Landscaping practices such as chainsaw and hinge-cutting can also influence deer’s diet in winter. Hinge-cutting is a technique used to create browse for deer by partially cutting a tree and allowing it to fall over, creating a living browse pile. Chainsaw cutting creates openings in the forest canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and promoting the growth of shrubs and other low-growing woody plants.
Unique Dietary Habits of Deer
Deer have unique dietary habits that vary depending on their gender and age. Understanding these differences can help wildlife enthusiasts make informed decisions about feeding them during the winter.
Male vs. Female Deer
Male deer, also known as bucks, have different dietary needs than female deer, also known as does. During the winter, bucks require more food to sustain their antler growth, which can be as much as an inch per day. They need to consume high amounts of protein to support this growth, and they will often seek out food sources that are rich in nutrients such as acorns, nuts, and fruits.
In contrast, does require less food during the winter because they are not growing antlers. However, nursing does require more food than non-nursing does, as they need to produce milk for their fawns. They will often seek out food sources that are high in protein and energy, such as buds and twigs from hardwood trees.
Fawns and Nursing Does
Fawns have unique dietary needs because they are still developing their digestive systems. They require a diet that is high in protein and fat to support their growth and development. Nursing does provide their fawns with milk that is high in protein and fat, which helps to meet their nutritional needs.
During the winter, fawns will often consume lichens and mosses off of rocks when other food sources are scarce. This is because lichens and mosses are rich in carbohydrates and provide a good source of energy.