Asked By: Verona Towne
Score: 4.9/5(52 votes)
The white-tailed deer is a warm-blooded mammal found throughout Texas. eat deerTwigs, leaves, grasses, herbs (weeds), fruits, and nuts. Deer like to live at the edges of forests and undergrowth.
What is the whitetail deer's favorite food?
You lovePecans, walnuts and beech acornsnext to the acorns Some favorite fruits are apples, blueberries, blackberries, and persimmons. Deer occasionally enter gardens to muzzle flowers, vegetables, and ornamental trees, often to the surprise of the owners.
What fruits do white-tailed deer eat?
Mastit is a much more seasonal food source for whitetails. The mast is the fruit of plants such as acorns, apples, pears, and berries. Deer stand on their hind legs to reach for winter apples.
What is the best way to feed deer?
The best food for deer eaters is calledPellets, made taking into account the nutrition of the whole body of a deer. You don't have to worry about accidentally feeding deer something that isn't good for them or could give them bad indigestion when you only offer deer pellets made especially for deer.
How much do whitetail deer eat?
Whitetails require an estimate6 to 8 percent of your body weightgreen foliage and graze daily to thrive. For £150. Deer, that's 9 to 12 pounds.
21 related questions found
Do deer walk the same path every day?
luck for huntersDeer usually walk the same paths every day., which makes guessing his whereabouts much easier.
What is the best time of day to feed deer?
feeding times and amounts
deer prefer to eatjust after sunrise and just before sunset. They are most active during these times. Feed your pet twice a day, at the start of the day and in the evening before the sun goes down. Add a few foods to each feeding for variety.
What not to feed the deer?
Do not feedHay, corn, kitchen waste, potatoes, lettuce scrapsor animal protein from animals processed into feed. Deer can starve if they are fed supplemental feed during the winter when their stomachs are full of indigestible food. Many deer have starved to death with stomachs full of hay.
What is the best homemade deer attractant?
15-Homemade attractants for deer
- Homemade apple scented deer bait/attractant. We've talked about a few apple baits so far, and that's no coincidence. ...
- Deer attractant with peanut butter. ...
- Mixture of food attractant. ...
- Acorn smell attractant. ...
- Apple Venison Block. ...
- Deer-scented stick. ...
- Vanilla extract. ...
- Mixture of peanut butter and apple attractant.
Do Deer Eat Quaker Oats?
Do Deer Eat Quaker Oats? Can deer eat raw or raw oats?YThey have a strong digestive system and can break down most of the bacteria found in said oats. Feed deer fruits found in their natural habitat (apples, grapes, and carrots are great).
Do whitetail deer eat carrots?
Technically speaking,YDeer eat fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, etc. Basically, these fruits and vegetables have no real nutritional value to them.
Are apples bad for deer?
Deer naturally eat apples andApples are perfectly safe for use in a game feeder.. …You should try to load game feeders with apples towards the end of winter. You benefit most from easily digestible foods during the winter months. Deer naturally eat apples, and apples are perfectly safe to use in a deer feeder.
Do deer prefer apples or corn?
Apples attract deer, in which they will throw the dollars. As for dollars like them, only. No way, everyone likes them, but I wouldn't say they like them more than corn. If you put corn and apples on a bait pile, the deer will eat the apples first and then the corn.
What food attracts deer the most?
meal plans
Plants that generally attract deer includeRed clover, chicory and orchard herb. Certain protein-rich plants such as peas, soybeans, beets, alfalfa, sorghum, kale, or corn are also attractants that animals like to eat. Deer also like the nutritious nuts that come from chestnuts and acorns.
What is the cheapest feed for deer?
Get deer fed on the cheap
Oats, corn, nuts and dried fruitsthey are a great combination. You can buy most of these items in bulk at supermarkets and online, which helps keep costs down. Mix them up and take them to the trash can or feeder. Feeding deer doesn't have to be expensive.
What grass do deer like best?
The grasses they prefer (at most nine percent of their diet) areRescue grass, winter grass, witch grass, panic grass, sedge and bulrush, as well as wild and cultivated rye, oats, and wheat. White-tailed deer prefer perennials when available.
Where do deer like to hang out in the rain?
In heavy downpours, most deer will seekShelter under the forest canopy, but the mule deer is found in places where these types of forests are scarce. When it rains heavily, mule deer will seek whatever form of shelter they can find, often hiding under loose foliage if possible.
What scents attract deer?
make urine liquidit is probably the most common scent attractant used by deer hunters. It is good for calming the deer's nerves and arousing their curiosity as it simulates a new deer in the area. Since it is a common scent in woodlands, it rarely scares deer, bucks, or roe deer.
Is it okay to feed deer in your yard?
If you feed deer in your yard or at a park, you could be hurting them instead of helping them. Herding deer at feeding stations increases the risk of contracting communicable diseases, such as chronic wasting from other deer.
Can deer eat birdseed?
unfortunately,Deer eat bird seedeven if they are not the first or second food option. You can empty a bird feeder quickly, costing you extra money to buy more seed to feed the birds around you. Deer can also damage feeders if they break or knock them over while trying to access them.
Can I feed deer in my yard?
Allowing deer access to your yard and landscape, or intentionally feeding them can be deadly. Wild animals fear humans by nature, they keep their distance and won't bother you as long as they remain truly wild. ...Never intentionally feed deer.It is illegal to feed deer in California!
Where do the deer go during the day?
Deer generally likehide in dense bushesduring the day, and they cover very well. In some cases, females also help newborn deer hide properly, even tucking them in before lying down next to them in a protective posture.
Can deer smell cigarette smoke?
Research has shown that a deer's sense of smell is 500 to 1,000 times better than a human's.Yes, a deer can smell cigarette smoke.. There is no question that a deer can and will smell cigarette smoke. Think about the times you've been walking down the street and you can smell smoke on the wind.
How often do you have to refill a game feeder?
A 40 gallon steel trough that just needs to be filledonce or twice a season.
FAQs
What is a white-tailed deer's favorite food? ›
Deer will primarily eat browse (woody portion of leaves and stems), forbs (broad-leaved plants), mast (acorns, apples, etc), and grass. Although these are the main foods deer like to eat, the quantity of these different foods differ throughout the year and the region you are hunting.
What is the best food to feed wild deer? ›- Natural Food. If possible, it is best to feed natural food. ...
- Deer Pellets. Most farm feed outlets carry a specially formulated ration for deer or can tell you where it can be bought. ...
- Cereal Grains. ...
- Hay or Alfalfa. ...
- Fruit & Vegetables.
White-tailed deer are considered herbivores and subsist on a diet of readily available plants, including twigs, fruits, nuts, alfalfa, and the occasional fungi. (Read more about the white-tailed deer.)
What is a deer's main predator? ›Mule deer are prey for many large predators of western North America. In the western U.S. and Canada, those predators are primarily mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats, although black bears, wolves, grizzly bears, and feral dogs will also take mule deer.
What should you not feed deer? ›Horse feeds, especially textured feeds such as grain mixes, will be too high in soluble (starchy) carbohydrates for deer, inviting problems with acidosis and founder. The protein level also will not be high enough to provide for maximal antler growth.
What food 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.
Why you shouldn't feed deer in your yard? ›Supplemental Feeding Can Harm Deer
attract predators and increase risk of death by coyotes or domestic dogs. spread disease among deer. cause aggression, wasting vital energy reserves and leading to injury or death. reduce fat reserves as deer use energy traveling to and from the feed site.
Produce like apples, grapes, cherries, pears, carrots, and snap peas are eaten by deer in nature, so go with whatever is in season in your area in the spring and summer months. Acorns are a safe and natural food source that deer enjoy in the fall and winter months.
Is it OK to feed deer corn? ›Corn is high in starch and a good source of digestible energy, but can cause problems in a deer's digestive system. When deer eat too much corn or other high-‐carbohydrate food, many complex changes occur in the rumen. Some microbes proliferate while others die.
Will a deer eat a cat? ›Generally speaking, deer will not attack companion animals unless they feel threatened; but pet owners are advised to keep dogs and cats away from deer and other wildlife with fencing that is at least 6 feet tall.
What attracts whitetail deer the best? ›
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 is a deer's favorite food plot? ›Perennial clover is perhaps the most popular food plot planting for deer, and with good reason! Clover food plots provide attraction during hunting season, high-quality forage during spring and early summer, and several years of…
What animal are deer most afraid of? ›Deer are afraid of predators like dogs and are likely to steer clear if they suspect one is nearby. Keep Fido outside more often or stake a silhouette of a dog in the yard.
Can deer sense humans? ›ANSWER: Under normal conditions, a deer can smell a human that is not making any attempt to hide its odor at least 1/4 mile away. If the scenting conditions are perfect (humid with a light breeze), it can even be farther. So they are pretty impressive.
What is the biggest threat to deer? ›The most difficult challenge staring down whitetails is disease, and these two deer sicknesses top the list: chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).
Should you feed wild deer in your backyard? ›NEVER FEED WILDLIFE.
Feeding big game animals is prohibited in California (Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 251.3).
Salt Lick For Deer: Why Do Deer Like Salt? Salt licks, also known as mineral licks, are necessary components in animals' diets. They contain essential mineral nutrients of salt deposits and trace minerals such as phosphorus, iron, zinc, and calcium. Mineral licks can be commonly found in nature.
Can you feed deer oatmeal? ›As previously mentioned, oats are highly favored by deer and they consistently rank among the top species consumed by deer in forage preference trials. Oats are highly nutritious as well. In well-managed food plots with a neutral soil pH and good fertility, oats can contain more than 25% crude protein.
What is the cheapest thing to feed deer? ›An inexpensive way to feed deer is with corn. Deer love corn and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. That being said, corn is not an excellent source of protein, which is essential for antler growth and the nursing of fawns.
Do deer eat carrots? ›After planting carrots they take around 70-80 days to finish growing. 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.
Can I feed deer apples? ›
Apple as Food for Deer
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.
Attracting deer to your property can be accomplished with the careful placement of a few alluring salt licks. Bovine salt licks are always an affordable and reliable option. Mineral sources are tantalizing to deer and this is one of the surefire cheap ways to attract deer to your land.
Can you feed bird seed to deer? ›Deer that die with full stomachs are regularly hauled away from neighborhoods throughout Bend, killed by well-intentioned people who think they are helping by putting out food, including bird seed. “It's not a well-known thing that birdseed can kill the deer and that we shouldn't feed these animals,” Chase said.
What attracts deer to your property? ›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.
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 like cracked corn or whole corn better? ›With that said, some folks will still feel the need to help out "the poor wildlife." If you decide that you simply have to feed the deer, at least feed them the right foodstuffs. Whole kernel corn and course cracked corn are good. But the best supplementary food might just be horse pellets.
What vegetable do deer like the most? ›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.
Is popcorn good for deer? ›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.
What attracts deer better than corn? ›Peanut butter has physical properties that will help deer hang around in front of your trail cameras better than corn. It tends to leave a longer-lasting residue than corn, so whitetails stick around wherever you smear it.
When should you stop feeding deer corn? ›Late Winter to Early Spring
This is because deer stop eating grains in the fall when corn, wheat and others are harvested. Incorporating grains at the wrong time can lead to potentially fatal digestion issues.
What are deer afraid of? ›
Deer repellents are most often made from putrified eggs, dried blood, garlic, or soaps. Several studies, including this one, have found that egg-based products are the most effective. These include Deer Away, Bobbex, and Liquid Fence. I've used all of these and have had good results.
What sounds are deer afraid of? ›Auditory deterrents can repel deer with their noise, and include noisemakers like gas or propane exploders, whistles, and ultrasonic devices. Gas or propane exploders produce loud, banging noises, which frighten deer away, and have been used to help protect orchards, row crops and truck crops.
Will a deer fight a dog? ›Deer are beautiful graceful animals that are scavengers but not necessarily hunters. Generally, they are not ones to pick fights or go looking for trouble; but they will attack if they feel threatened. Pet owners may be surprised to learn that deer attacks on dogs do occur.
What time of day are whitetail deer most active? ›Time of Day: For whitetail deer the most active times typically occur around dawn and dusk, with periodic increases in activity overnight. Plan ahead and get out there during the right time of day to increase your chances of success.
What colors are deer afraid of? ›They can pick out short (blue) and middle (green) wavelength colors, but they're less sensitive to long wavelength colors such as red and orange.
Where do deer like to sleep at night? ›Deer usually sleep hidden in the underbrush. Also, as their bedding site, deer choose a flattened place that has a shape similar to their body. Deer often bed in standing corn and graze on the clover.
What is deer favorite fruit? ›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.
What are the two foods that the deer eats? ›Deer diet. A deer's diet consists of a variety of crops, grasses, vegetation, acorns and nuts.
Do deers eat pumpkins? ›According to Nature's Mace, deer are known to eat pumpkins and especially enjoy the seeds and guts.
Does human pee bother deer? ›According to an article in Hunting Lease Magazine by Ben. H. Koerth, human urine does not frighten deer.
Can deer smell human pee? ›
Yes, deer are attracted to the odor of urine. Not just that from does in estrous, but also urine from other mammals – even you – in the fall. Biologists have told me that mammal urine is socially interesting to deer, and other mammals, but not distinguishable among species or even gender.
Do deers get angry? ›Mother deer are very protective of their young. Attacks by bucks are rare, but bucks may become aggressive in "rut" season - October through December. If you do see a deer, observe it from a distance, preferably from inside a structure or vehicle. Keep your pet inside when there is a deer in your yard.
How do you tell if a deer likes you? ›Casual, gentle and occasional side-to-side tail wagging or swishing is a good sign. These relaxed movements indicate a deer at ease.
How far can a deer see you? ›By studying the physical characteristics of deer eyes, scientists estimate deer have 20/100 vision. This means that the level of detail whitetails see at 20 feet is what normal human vision can see back to 100 feet.
What do deers do when they see humans? ›Even when we mean them no harm, deer tend to be wary of humans. When we approach, they usually raise their heads, prick their ears and stand very still. It's how these creatures stay vigilant against predators.
What kills most whitetail deer? ›Predators kill white-tailed deer. Field studies from across the United States, including Pennsylvania, show that predators - notably coyotes, bears, and bobcats - prey on white-tailed deer. Predation is a natural form of mortality for white-tailed deer.
How long do deers live? ›In hunted areas of central and northern Illinois, average life span was 5½ years for females and 2½ years for males. Some deer do survive longer: the oldest female in one study was 18 years of age, while the oldest male was 9 years old.
What is the main cause of death in deer? ›Human hunting is by far the greatest source of mortality on yearling and adult deer.
What is the best thing to attract whitetail deer? ›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.
How do you attract white tail deer? ›Deer Food Plots
Starchy or sugary foods include corn, grapes and acorns. Keep these principles in mind if you plan to plant clearings to supplemental food plots. Planting crops such as clover or legumes in cleared areas, or even on logging roads, will provide added food and attract additional deer.
What is the best way to attract whitetail deer? ›
Some of the best bushes for attracting deer are blackberries, grape, honeysuckle, and staghorn sumac. Keep about 20% of your woodland filled with these plant species to attract deer to your land.
What should I feed deer in my yard? ›- Produce like apples, grapes, cherries, pears, carrots, and snap peas are eaten by deer in nature, so go with whatever is in season in your area in the spring and summer months.
- Acorns are a safe and natural food source that deer enjoy in the fall and winter months.
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.
What colors do deer see? ›They can pick out short (blue) and middle (green) wavelength colors, but they're less sensitive to long wavelength colors such as red and orange. “They're essentially red-green color blind,” said Brian Murphy, a wildlife biologist and the CEO of Quality Deer Management Association.
Does human urine affect deer? ›According to an article in Hunting Lease Magazine by Ben. H. Koerth, human urine does not frighten deer.
Where do white tail deer go during the day? ›Deer sleep every day, and during daylight hours they typically do so in secure cover, so your best chance to view one is while on stand by having deer move into view and bed down. Since they can sleep with their eyes open, you may even have witnessed it in the past without realizing it.
What time of day are white-tailed deer most active? ›Time of Day: For whitetail deer the most active times typically occur around dawn and dusk, with periodic increases in activity overnight. Plan ahead and get out there during the right time of day to increase your chances of success.
Do deer recognize humans? ›They first recognize you at a distance when they see you, then verify your smell as you get closer, while listening all the time. They tend to ignore you if you're on their “safe” list, and move away if you're someone who hassles them.
How long can a deer smell where you walked? ›ANSWER: Under normal conditions, a deer can smell a human that is not making any attempt to hide its odor at least 1/4 mile away. If the scenting conditions are perfect (humid with a light breeze), it can even be farther. So they are pretty impressive.
How do you attract deer fast? ›- Area. First, of course, is to figure out the area where deer are most likely to be or would be likely come to, if given a good reason. ...
- Trace Mineral Block or Salt Lick. ...
- Mock Scrapes and Licking Branches. ...
- Deer Scents.
What time do deer go to bed? ›
Deer tend to sleep during the day, roughly between the hours of 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. A night scope for AR15 will definitely come in handy during these hours. Deer are highly active during the hours just before dark.
Should I feed deer on my property? ›NEVER FEED WILDLIFE.
Feeding big game animals is prohibited in California (Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 251.3).