What Do Deer Eat

Main components of deer diet

• Browse, forbs, and mast: These make up over 85% of the overall deer diet throughout their range
• Agricultural crops: Highly nutritious and readily consumed by deer, especially during times of low natural food availability
• Grasses and mushrooms/lichens: Supplementary food sources in the deer diet

Specific food for deer

Browse (woody plants)

• Leaves and twigs: From various tree and shrub species, a key part of what deer eat
• Bark: Sometimes consumed, especially in winter as part of the deer diet

Forbs (herbaceous plants)

• Agricultural crops: Vegetables, pasture grasses, and other cultivated plants that deer eat
• Wild herbaceous plants: Various species depending on regional availability in the deer diet

Mast (seeds)

• Hard mast: Acorns, nuts from oak trees, an important food for deer
• Soft mast: Fruits like persimmons, muscadines, wild grapes, apples, and berries that deer eat

Other food sources

• Grasses: Consumed in smaller quantities compared to other food types in the deer diet
• Mushrooms and lichens: Opportunistically eaten when available as part of what deer eat

Regional variations in deer diet

Southeast

• Persimmons: Highly sought after in rocky, dry, open woods and edges as food for deer
• Muscadines and wild grapes: Thrive in hot, humid conditions and are part of what deer eat

Northeast

• Apples: Popular soft mast, ripening in October and favored in the deer diet
• Crabapples: Well-suited for northern climates and eaten by deer

West

• Blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries: Found in "briar patches" and consumed by deer
• Huckleberries: Grow at higher elevations in mountainous areas and are part of what deer eat

Nutritional considerations in deer diet

• Agricultural crops: Provide nutrient-dense foods that can increase body size and reproductive performance, especially in younger deer
• Oak mast: Offers a unique combination of nutrients and energy for fat reserves in the deer diet
• Fiber intake: Maximum performance often achieved at 35% Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) in what deer eat

Impact of diet on deer populations

• Crop consumption: Can lead to precocious maturity and increased pregnancy rates in wild deer
• Forest regeneration: Overgrazing can prevent forest regeneration and impact biodiversity, affecting what deer eat
• Population dynamics: Diet quality can affect body size, reproductive rates, and overall population growth, highlighting the importance of understanding what deer eat

FAQ

What is the main food source for deer?

The main food sources for deer are browse (leafy parts of woody plants), forbs (including agricultural crops), and mast (hard and soft seeds). These components make up over 85% of the overall deer diet throughout their range.

Do deer eat agricultural crops?

Yes, deer frequently eat agricultural crops. These crops are highly nutritious and readily consumed by deer, especially during times of low natural food availability. Vegetables, pasture grasses, and other cultivated plants are attractive food sources for deer.

What types of plants do deer prefer in their diet?

Deer prefer a variety of plants in their diet, including leaves and twigs from trees and shrubs, agricultural crops, wild herbaceous plants, acorns, fruits like persimmons and apples, and berries. The specific preferences can vary by region and season.

How does a deer's diet change with the seasons?

A deer's diet changes seasonally based on food availability. In spring and summer, they consume more leafy vegetation and agricultural crops. In fall, they focus on acorns and fruits. During winter, when food is scarce, they may eat more woody browse and bark.

What impact does a deer's diet have on their population?

A deer's diet significantly impacts their population. Nutrient-dense foods like agricultural crops can increase body size and reproductive performance, especially in younger deer. Diet quality affects body size, reproductive rates, and overall population growth, making understanding deer diet crucial for wildlife management.