For Watchers... What to feed?
02-09-2004, 09:23 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Grove City Ohio USA
Posts: 256
For Watchers... What to feed?
We have quite a few Whitetails that visit our patio at work. I know that you should not feed them corn only. What can I throw out for them that will be good nutrition for them this time of the year? Is alfalfa hay a good source for them? If not, what should I put out for them that is healthy? Thanks!
OhioDuckHunter
OhioDuckHunter
02-10-2004, 07:06 PM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 448
RE: For Watchers... What to feed?
Winter Deer Feeding
If you accept the responsibilities of feeding deer, the following foods should be considered.
Deer Food Mixes: The Department of Natural Resources recommends feeding a special deer food mix consisting of a mixture of corn, alfalfa, oats, soybeans, molasses, and several vitamins and minerals. Many feed mills in Wisconsin sell this mixture in pellet or meal form. If such a mix is not available, rabbit or horse pellets with at least 12% protein can be used. By late February, deer that have been eating on woody browse for most of the winter can switch and readily digest this food better than corn or hay.
Oats: After the special deer food mixture, oats are preferred over all other supplemental foods. They provide deer with a very favorable ratio of fiber and carbohydrates.
Corn: We do not recommend feeding deer a pure corn diet as the high starch content of corn can cause high acidity in the rumen which kills microorganisms necessary for digesting food. Corn is widely used deer food in Wisconsin. It is less expensive than the deer mixtures, but not as nutritious. If corn is fed, it should be mixed with oats at a ratio of 4 parts oats to 1 part corn. Do not use corn unless you start feeding it early in the winter before deer are stressed.
Hay: In northern forested areas of Wisconsin, hay is the least desirable food for winter feeding purposes, and is not recommended. When deer have had reduced intake because of low food supplies, rumen activity declines and fermentation of fiber decreases. The fiber type in alfalfa cannot be readily broken down, and it can impact deer in such a way that it dooms them to continued starvation.
When to feed
Deer can be fed all winter if done for recreational purposes. If the intent is to save deer in a severe winter, the most cost effective approach is to start feeding in late February and continue through snow melt or until deer have dispersed to summer habitats. During March and early April is the time of winter when most deer that succumb to winter stress are likely to die. This is the time when supplemental feeding can benefit deer most, and will insure that you do not run out of interest and funding at a critical time of the year for deer.
Winter Deer Feeding
If you accept the responsibilities of feeding deer, the following foods should be considered.
Deer Food Mixes: The Department of Natural Resources recommends feeding a special deer food mix consisting of a mixture of corn, alfalfa, oats, soybeans, molasses, and several vitamins and minerals. Many feed mills in Wisconsin sell this mixture in pellet or meal form. If such a mix is not available, rabbit or horse pellets with at least 12% protein can be used. By late February, deer that have been eating on woody browse for most of the winter can switch and readily digest this food better than corn or hay.
Oats: After the special deer food mixture, oats are preferred over all other supplemental foods. They provide deer with a very favorable ratio of fiber and carbohydrates.
Corn: We do not recommend feeding deer a pure corn diet as the high starch content of corn can cause high acidity in the rumen which kills microorganisms necessary for digesting food. Corn is widely used deer food in Wisconsin. It is less expensive than the deer mixtures, but not as nutritious. If corn is fed, it should be mixed with oats at a ratio of 4 parts oats to 1 part corn. Do not use corn unless you start feeding it early in the winter before deer are stressed.
Hay: In northern forested areas of Wisconsin, hay is the least desirable food for winter feeding purposes, and is not recommended. When deer have had reduced intake because of low food supplies, rumen activity declines and fermentation of fiber decreases. The fiber type in alfalfa cannot be readily broken down, and it can impact deer in such a way that it dooms them to continued starvation.
When to feed
Deer can be fed all winter if done for recreational purposes. If the intent is to save deer in a severe winter, the most cost effective approach is to start feeding in late February and continue through snow melt or until deer have dispersed to summer habitats. During March and early April is the time of winter when most deer that succumb to winter stress are likely to die. This is the time when supplemental feeding can benefit deer most, and will insure that you do not run out of interest and funding at a critical time of the year for deer.
Winter Deer Feeding
02-11-2004, 04:09 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Grove City Ohio USA
Posts: 256
RE: For Watchers... What to feed?
Thanks!
I do not want to dip into my personal pocket for the people at work. They say I should feed the deer in our wildlife refuge next to my place of employment just because I hunt.
I am working the land my wife and I bought last year for food plots. But I do not feel this refuge is MY responsibility. I will pass this information on to them.
I do not want to dip into my personal pocket for the people at work. They say I should feed the deer in our wildlife refuge next to my place of employment just because I hunt.
I am working the land my wife and I bought last year for food plots. But I do not feel this refuge is MY responsibility. I will pass this information on to them.
