DEER NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Don’t drop the ball on your hunting land investment by not developing food plots. Food plots give your deer a “nutritional” leg up and hopefully, you’ll be harvesting some big bucks in the near future.
You shouldn’t think solely about the bucks. Without a healthy doe, there are no healthy bucks. As you’re designing and planting, keep the buck, doe, and fawn in mind.
WATER
Water is the #1 nutritional need. Take a look around your property and make sure that your water sources remain relatively clean, easily accessible, and have a spring or additional water source attached to them.
If you don’t have good water sources consider placing cattle watering tanks in strategic areas. These can just be set on the ground and filled with water. Watering holes provide your deer herd life-giving water, along with a great trail camera opportunities.
A second water option is to dig a natural-looking hole with a tractor and bucket (or by hand if you want bragging rights). This project should be tackled in the fall, giving you the winter and spring months for the hole to catch water. Some folks like to lay a liner down inside the hole to prevent porous soil from absorbing the water.
Digging your own watering hole gives you the option of taking a 150-gallon poly stock tub and place it in the ground- this won’t look as natural but will prevent water leaking into the ground.
SEASONS AND LIFE CYCLES
Let’s start with the winter season. During winter your entire deer herd is working hard daily to survive. Fats and carbohydrates are a high priority for bucks, does, and fawns. Hopefully, you’ve planted some brassica or root vegetables like radishes. These provide some tasty carbohydrates and simple sugars.
If your winter snow is deep it might be helpful to aid your deer herd in lessening their energy expending by plowing up some of the snow where your brassica or root vegetables were planted.
Spring is a time for your bucks to be repairing muscle mass and preparing for rut season, not to mention growing a new set of antlers. Your doe’s are in the last trimester of their gestation- putting a lot of food energy into growing the fetus. Doe’s are also preparing for nursing their fawn(s).
With the introduction of lush green grasses comes the need for sodium due to the increased water intake. Protein and carbohydrates are necessary as well.
Summer’s temperatures in the north tend to be relatively easy-going on the deer herd. Higher than normal temperatures will stress your herd, affecting both water sources and food sources. Parasites also create havoc within your herd, adding stress to their growth and reproduction.
Buck’s, doe’s and fawns are all in a growing and recovery season. Protein, calcium, and sodium are all on the list of needs. Plentiful peas and beans are great sources of protein. The end of summer means doe’s will be weaning fawns. Fawns will be looking for protein sources to further their growth and good muscle development.
Fall marks a season of battle and breeding for bucks. Doe’s are preparing for gestation, and fawns continue to grow. Everyone is trying to store up fat for the winter and stay alive.
CAUTION WHEN FEEDING YOUR HERD
Nature has its own way of instilling instincts into animals according to their biological needs. As sportsmen and conservationists, we need to be aware that when we introduce food items to our herds that are typically NOT available in that season, in specific, grains and hay; you must transition your deer herd slowly to avoid rumen acidosis.
A deer’s gut flora must have the proper balance of bacteria to help aid in the digestion of what they are consuming. Quickly switching from a heavy protein diet to hay and grasses could have potentially fatal consequences for the deer in your herd.
Responsible, thoughtful care for your deer herd through water sources and proper nutrition makes for a growing healthy herd in every season. Take time to do your own research and consult local area entities for state and local regulations.
RESOURCES:
- https://www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-acorns
- http://deerbuilder.com/db/features/foodplots/top10/Top10FoodPlotCropsNorth.pdf
- https://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/editorial/whitetail-nutrition-calendar/263409
- http://www.growbrutebucks.com/a/man-made-waterholes-for-whitetail-deer.html
- https://www.northeastwildlife.org/disease/rumen-acidosis
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