Deer, when they are in their natural habitat, do not actually eat the commercial “deer feed” that most feed stores will sell you as bait or as a lure. So when deer are out in the wild and they are left to their own devices, what do they eat? Unlike some of the animals you find in the wild while hunting, deer are herbivorous creatures which means that they only eat plants. While there are plenty of different plants out there in the woods, not all of them are going to provide the right amount of nutrition for the deer. Just like humans and other animals, many deer do have food preferences and will eat their certain favorite foods whenever they can find them, though they will move on to other foods when their favorites or the most nutritious options cannot be found.
Deer like to eat wild grasses, especially when the shoots are both tender and young, but wild grasses tend to be a last resort food in that they can help the deer survive when other food is not available, but they are not good for much more than that. Here is a look at some of the favorite foods that deer may like.
Woody Shrubs and Plants: Deer can feed on the leaves and other anatomy of tree and shrubs, eating the leaves, the twigs and the buds from plants like these all throughout the year. Some examples of this category of plants include greenbrier, honeysuckle, blackberry, black gum, sumac, sassafras, willow, rose, dewberry and grape.
Forbs: Forbs are herbaceous plants, which mean that they are perennial and non woody plants that produce new growth every single spring after dying off in the winter. Forbs generally include weeds and a number of other flower-producing plants. Forbs are a proffered food source for many deer, and examples of these plants include wild clover, sedges, bellflower, mushroom, dandelion, ragweed, beans, wild lettuce and sunflower.
Nuts: Nuts are extremely nutritious when it comes to deer, but the crops produced by these plants are often small, so fords and grasses tend to provide a much more reliable food source. Some examples of nuts that deer may enjoy are red and white acorns, hickory nuts and beech nuts.
Fruits: Fruits are preferred by deer because they are so very high in energy, but good fruit crops only tend to be made available during the summer and early fall months. Some examples of fruits that deer enjoy eating are sumac seed heads, persimmons, grapes, coralberry, dewberry, blackberry, dogwood and huckleberry.
Crops: Cultivated crops are crops that were planted by humans. Where food sources are limited, these can be an important part of a deer’s diet and may include plants like wheat, oats, alfalfa, clover, soybeans, vegetables and rye grass.
By knowing what deer actually like to eat, finding them in the wild will be a lot easier from now on.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-13 05:53:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Hunting Glossary Continued Choke Collar -This is a collar that is made out of leather or chain, and that is applied to the dog's neck in such a way that the collar can be loosened or tightened based on how much tension is exerted by the owner's hand. Clips (E-Clips) - These are...... -
More Hunting Terms Blind Planter - This is a name for the person that places the bird or the bumper at a designated spot for the purpose of a blind retrieve. Blink - This describes the situation when the dog locates the bumper or the bird during the retrieve but does not actually...... -
Make Your Mule Deer Hunts Successful Mule deer hunts are less well known than things like deer hunts and elk hunts. Mule deer seem less desirable to some people who hunt but they're a challenging animal to hunt and many people enjoy the meet as much as venison or elk. Mule deer aren't as plentiful as...... -
Why You Should Obey Hunting Laws The hunting laws in your area are necessary reading before you go on a hunt. While some people think it's fun or a bit of a joke to hunt and fish without licenses or permits and basically do what they want, hunting laws should be taken seriously. They're very often...... -
The Popularity of the Deer Hunting Game Online A deer hunting game can be a fun way to pass some time for avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. While nothing can take the place of getting out into the woods and really hunting, the online community has come up with some suitable diversions for hunters who are looking for......
Related Websites -
How to Eat Right When No One Else Will For many dieters, the biggest problem they face isn’t necessarily their own lifestyle change, but rather the fact that the people around them refuse to go along with the idea. It can be nearly impossible to focus on eating the right way when you eat out or are sitting across...... -
Laying the Foundation For Your Child's Future (Healthy Eating Habits) One of the ways that you should be laying the foundation for your child's future is to teach healthy eating and exercise habits young, so that those concepts will carry on until adulthood, and help your children lead healthy, active lifestyles for optimum health and well being. It can be...... -
Five Ways to Start Eating Better Right Now Sometimes it is too easy to make excuses about eating the right foods. Whether it’s simply inconvenient, we feel that eating healthy deprives us, or the lure of unhealthy food is too strong, we end up putting off eating right until it may be too late. Here are five easy...... -
The Right Kind of Foods Your Body Needs When you're trying to lose weight, it is all so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that deprivation is the only way to go. There are some foods that your body really needs, even if you are on a diet. In addition, there are foods that your...... - Eating for Life By Bill Phillips This book made Bob Phillips a household name and we thought it was a good idea to revisit this book and see how it compares to the latest diet books on the market. While we are deluged with new titles every month, it’s always nice to go back to an......
- Plum Seedlings Vegetables & Fruits Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Olive Plants Vegetables & Fruits Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Spinach Seeds & Bulbs Vegetables & Fruits Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- Miniature Seedlings Vegetables & Fruits Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Indoor Ornamental Grasses Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
Categories:
Big, Deer, Hunting
Tags:
1 comment so far ↓
I find it very interesting about the different types of food the deer like. We are an avid hunting family and it is very much a lifestyle here. This is a good post and has great points of interest in it. But, about the deer food you can purchase, we don’t bother here because it is illegal to bait the deer. I look forward to more interesting posts
Leave a Comment