When you feed your deer, they may well come back and visit. But if you don’t want them to make a habit of it, read on for our list of what’s safe and what not so much.

There are so many different things that you can feed deer in your backyard. You should consider feeding them in the winter because they will need extra food to survive.

Seeing a deer in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You must know what to feed deer in your backyard to persuade them to come if you want to bring them home.

Deer have a ravenous appetite and are creatures of habit. Those are the main considerations to bear in mind before inviting them into your home.

Understanding how deer see the world and what they need to get out of it to make the most of their resources is the first step.

Contents

Deer Facts for Beginners

The white-tailed deer is a North American species. They are related to other well-known hooved mammals such as moose and elk. This kind of whitetail deer may be found east of the Rocky Mountains, whereas mule deer can be found west.

They may be found in a number of environments, including woodlands, prairies, and, ideally, your own garden. They may also be found on farmland, parks, and even deserts. They are able to live because of their versatility.

Deer are divided into subspecies that exist in different parts of the nation. That’s one of the reasons their weight varies so widely, with animals in northern areas weighing several hundred pounds and animals in the Southeast weighing less than 100.

Wild deer’s behavior, size, and lifespan are influenced by their nutrition, environment, and other variables. They have a lifespan of two to ten years.

The Deer’s Ascension

It’s hard to think that deer were once in short supply on this continent. Despite a slew of predators including bears, wolves, and mountain lions, they made it. Their prosperity is inextricably linked to ours as a country. Early settlers cleared land for crops by cutting down trees. They eliminated the deer’s foes.

The fields were eventually replaced by suburbs and gardens full of tulips, daylilies, and other delectable delights that the deer devoured in droves. As they say, the rest is history. As a result, the deer population surged. Today, it is estimated that there are upwards of 30 million people. This has placed tremendous strain on the ecosystems that supply them with food.

It’s not uncommon to hear of big die-offs after harsh winters. We realize that feeding deer seems to be a win-win situation.

Let’s look at some deer biology and behavior to put things into context.

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A Deer’s Day in the Life

Deer spend the most of their days foraging for various sorts of plants to supplement their herbivore diet. Their nutrition changes seasonally depending on what they can locate. The following are some of the most common deer foods:

  • Branches and buds of trees and shrubs
  • Flowers
  • Leaves
  • Nuts such as acorns and other nuts
  • Cacti may be found in arid areas.

Garbage cans, your garden, and fruit trees are all places where deer will search for food. Surprisingly, they, like humans, have a sweet appetite. They are crepuscular, feeding before sunrise and after dusk. They may be seen resting on southern hillsides throughout the day, chewing their cud like cows.

Deer only reproduce once a year, during the so-called rut in the autumn. At this time, the social behavior shifts, with bucks defining the boundaries of their territory and fighting with competitors. It’s important mentioning since the aggressiveness might be directed against individuals. In late April, the does have one, two, or even three deer at a time. The figure is determined by how well she ate the previous year and how well she survived over the winter.

A doe bearing fawns may be readily identified by her behavior. If a human is present, she will maintain her ground and not abandon her young. This strange conduct is a warning indication.

She can attempt to entice you away or beat her feet to encourage you to leave their territory. Before transitioning to an adult herbivore diet, the fawns will suckle for roughly 10 weeks. Over the winter, the does and fawns will yard up and create enormous herds. The cycle repeats over the following spring, with the yearlings going onto their respective home ranges.

Let’s talk about what we’re going to feed them before we get into what we’re going to feed them.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Feeding Deer

We feel that there are relatively few black-and-white problems. Most people choose to live in the gray area’s peaceful, although occasionally hazy, middle ground. It’s no different when it comes to feeding deer.

We’d be negligent if we didn’t go more into this subject to assist you prevent any unpleasant shocks down the line. It’s not as simple as opening the gate and expecting them to appear.

Let’s start with the pro-deer side of the debate.

The Advantages of Encouraging Deer to Visit Your Yard

The main benefit of feeding deer is that it brings you closer to nature. It’s a fantastic learning experience for both you and your kids.

It sparks a slew of educational debates, including:

  • Relationships between predators and prey
  • Conflicts between humans and animals
  • Lifestyles of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores
  • Behaviour of doe-fawns
  • Survival in the winter

Regardless of your feelings on deer, seeing one up up and personal is an unforgettable experience. It’s as if you’ve been transported from today’s bustle to somewhere far distant from it all. Priceless.

If you’re a hunter, the additional advantages are obvious. You’re bringing wildlife to your land to make hunting simpler on a variety of levels. Some states will let you take deer from your property without having to go through all of the legal hoops that normal hunting requires. That will save you money and allow you to store food in the freezer.

As a hunter, feeding deer has several benefits. You can study the creatures’ behaviors to improve your chances of catching them. You’ll be able to study them, particularly if they’ve lost some of their natural apprehension. When you’re ready with your pistol loaded and cocked, you’ll know what they eat, where they hang out, and when they’re likely to be around.

It also aids in the removal of certain natural obstacles that may prevent deer from crossing your property. They learn through trial and error that your land is a safe haven with food and water.

Even if you don’t hunt, you may still generate money by leasing out your property to others. You win in either case.

The Drawbacks of Having Deer on Your Property

With deer, it’s not all daisies and buttercups. The most obvious disadvantage is that you have no method of forcing them to consume what you desire. Tulips, hostas, and rose bushes will appeal to them just as much as the delicacies you put out just for them.

No matter what time of year it is, deer are ravenous eaters. You can grow things that are claimed to keep deer away. A hungry animal, on the other hand, is desperate and will widen its taste to consume foods it would typically shun.

As a result, deer-deterrent is merely a recommendation.

You must also consider the indirect consequences of feeding deer, which are equally solid reasons to refrain from doing so. One of them is an increased risk of Lyme illness. However, deer have a number of health issues that you should consider before bringing them into your house.

They are as follows:

  • Plague
  • Mange
  • Giardiasis
  • E. coli

Feeding deer a well-balanced diet, on the other hand, goes a long way toward keeping them healthy and lowering your chance of becoming ill. That is why we recommend a wide range of meals.

But hold on a second. There’s more to come. You should also examine another reasonable argument: deer-human confrontations, notably vehicle crashes. The figures are depressing. In 2018, approximately 2 million animal-vehicle incidents occurred, with each occurrence costing an average of $3,560. The Midwest states are the ones with the greatest danger. Yikes!

Feeding deer alleviates part of their inherent apprehension about humans and all things human. Remember that deer have become so common as a result of their avoiding and then adapting to human presence. When one aspect is removed, others aren’t far behind.

The goal is to strike a balance between the advantages of having these attractive and versatile creatures near to your house and the hazards of having them close by.

Knowing the disadvantages might help you avoid traps that could ruin the experience for you and your family.

How to Get Deer to Come to You

Let’s get down to brass tacks and see what to feed deer in the backyard now that you’ve assessed the pros and drawbacks and made your selection.

It’s possible that deer will discover your house before you put out the welcome mat. Examine the ends of branches and twigs to see whether they’ve been nibbling on your plants.

Bottom incisors are absent in deer. When they eat on a plant, the margins are often ragged, unlike rabbits, who leave a smooth cut.

Other indications, including animal footprints, scraped sections of bare earth, and scratch marks on smaller trees, may also be seen. The final two are signs of a buck that has made your property part of its territory during mating season.

The best method to attract deer is to offer them with foods they like, a steady supply of water, and shelter where they can rest and avoid predators. They are clever creatures that will quickly understand your household’s routines as well as your family’s activity patterns.

Deer-Eating Plants

To create a healthy diet, we recommend purchasing a range of vegetables. It aids the deer and, as previously said, maintains them healthy. It also allows you to customize your landscape to meet your specific requirements and desires.

Perennial plants and trees are ideal. They’ll keep providing meals year after year to entice people to come back. They’re also better at dealing with the stress of deer feeding on them.

Consider the following trees:

  • Apple
  • Willow
  • Crabapple
  • Oaks
  • Cedar
  • Hawthorn
  • Dogwood
  • Yew

The final one brings up a fascinating tidbit about deer. While yew and poison ivy are poisonous to humans, they are not poisonous to deer. It has something to do with their differing digestive systems.

Shrubs may also be used to attract them. Deer often consume the buds of these plants because they contain the greatest nutrients. When other foods are sparse, it’s a good source of winter nourishment.

Deer like the following shrubs:

  • Arborvitae
  • Azalea
  • Holly
  • Euonymus
  • Rhododendron
  • Blueberry

Other vegetation is also on the menu to keep a hungry deer satisfied.

You may look into the following options:

  • Clover with a sweet taste
  • Vetch
  • Alfalfa
  • Strawberry
  • Ivy in English
  • Ferns

Deer, as you can see, are not discriminating eaters and will consume a wide variety of vegetation. Your next query can be about how to cultivate them.

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Making Deer Landscaping Plans

You should ideally have a plot of land where you can grow these options and then leave fallow. It’s not like you have to care for it in the same way you would a conventional garden. With their foraging, the deer are taking care of that end.

If you keep track of what survives year after year, you’ll be able to tell which plants the deer prefer to avoid. Then you may add in their own favorites.

Leave plants and trees to give shelter for the deer as well. Unfortunately, you’re still an adversary in their eyes, so they’ll need somewhere to hide. On a more positive note, by giving shelter, you may check off two boxes with one job.

When deer’s nutrition isn’t enough to keep them hydrated, they need a regular supply of water. You may clear a route to the coast for them if you live near a stream or pond.

Deer, like other species, try to preserve as much energy as possible. Whenever possible, they will follow the route of least resistance.

That’s why the woods have so many well-used runs. It takes less energy to travel down a well-worn route than it does to bushwhack and create one from scratch. It also explains why you’ll find deer meandering along hiking routes and around woodland margins.

If you don’t have access to water, a water feature may be added to your landscape. A pond containing koi and goldfish won’t bother the deer. A horse trough or a birdbath will suffice. However, we recommend installing a heater in it during the winter so that kids can use it all year.

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Deer and Fences

You may be shocked to hear that a fence isn’t as effective as you assume in deterring deer. An animal may leap over it as long as it is less than 6 feet high.

That is reserved for grownups.

We recommend leaving a 1.5-foot space at the bottom of the fence so that a fawn born on the wrong side may fit through. There will be plenty for the doe as well.

Providing Deer with Alternative Food

We’ve discussed plants, but now it’s time to face the elephant in the room: food. After all, you set out a bird feeder for the songbirds, and deer may sometimes stand on their hind legs to eat the seeds.

There are various aspects to consider when deciding whether or not purchasing a deer feeder is a good idea. First and foremost, there is the question of legality. For the reasons we outlined previously, several communities frown on it.

In addition, several states have strict rules on what you may and cannot feed deer. It might also change from year to year. Feeding is permitted in certain regions during cold winters when the danger of a winter kill is high.

The second factor to consider is hunting. If you or someone else hunts deer on your property, you may be breaking game rules by baiting them.

Corn Has a Problem

Then there’s the question of what you’ll provide them. Why not feed them deer grain, as one of your first ideas could be. It’s inexpensive and simple to use. That option has a number of drawbacks. It’s not the best choice for deer as a main food, particularly in the winter. The problem is the nutritional content.

Deer accumulate fat stores throughout the year to help them get through the leaner months. Because there isn’t much greenery around, they eat buds and twigs. It’s a fantastic food source since it’s high in nutrients, as we indicated. Cracked maize, for example, is mostly made up of starch, accounting for around 70% of the total. When utilized in winter feeding, they are also fermentable and might induce bloating.

The woody plants give some carbohydrates as well as essential fiber to maintain the deer’s GI tract in good working order. Corn, on the other hand, may upset their stomachs and lead to a disease called acidosis. This results in an acidic environment, which may kill good bacteria and induce gastrointestinal irritation. The combination of excessive water loss and hard living circumstances created the ideal storm for ill deer.

Other grounds against it might include the possibility of attracting rats and other pests. You may want the deer, but you don’t want the raccoons and possums that could follow the smell.

Deer foods that are carefully prepared to prevent fermentable carbohydrates like maize are available. However, you must factor in the cost and effort required to ensure that the troughs are filled. Feeding deer, like feeding birds, is a long-term commitment. Deer will get reliant on this food supply and will forego foraging in order to find something to eat.

In the spring and summer, this may not be a problem, but in the winter, it may be devastating. It might also be argued that feeding deer makes them sluggish and less aware of their surroundings, making it more difficult for them to discover abundant food sources.

As a result, although the concept of supplementary feeding is admirable, the hazards are just too great. To keep the deer nourished, we recommend keeping to nature’s pantry of nourishing vegetation.

Other Things Deer Require

You’ll have deer if you can make your yard a one-stop shop for all of their requirements. However, they need other items in order to be happy and healthy.

An fantastic addition to your deer landscaping is a mineral or salt block. It contains vital nutrients, such as salt. They may not use it all year, but they will surely utilize it in the winter.

Deer, as previously said, establish habits. They are also sophisticated creatures that dislike change and variation in their environment. That is one of the factors that has allowed them to survive and develop.

For you, this means they need a safe haven where people do not wander so they may relax in peace and not be on high alert. Children and pets should be kept out of the area where they forage, obtain drink, and sleep.

How to Encourage Deer on Your Property

When feeding deer, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of the experience.

  • Deer congregate in herds, so you’re unlikely to see just one in your yard.
  • Deer will eat saplings and young plants until they have established themselves and may supply a decent food source.
  • Before you begin, double-check with your city and the state DNR to ensure that feeding is legal in your area.
  • Find out whether you’re allowed to hunt on your property if you’re feeding deer and giving a mineral lick.
  • Notify your neighbors, particularly if they have pets.
  • In the winter, don’t abruptly stop feeding the deer.
  • Plantings of invasive species, such as goldenrod, should be avoided since they will take over an area and drive out other plants, diminishing the nutritional value of your landscape.

Remember to install a trail camera! After all, you’ve drawn the deer to your yard, but even if you’re trying to be gentle with your supplementary feeding program, they’re still likely to be wary.

You’ve got everything you need, including food and drink, as well as a safe place to relax. Take some pictures of your four-legged pals.

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Last Thoughts

There’s no disputing that witnessing and, even better, interacting with a deer in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They are beautiful creatures, deserving of admiration for having survived decades of human predation and invasion.

Learning what to feed deer in the backyard is the ultimate kind of retribution for all the pleasure they may provide to your life. A crucial element of the process is balancing the rewards and drawbacks.

The “can i feed deer apples” is a question that many people have. The answer to the question is yes, but you should also consider what other fruits and vegetables you can feed them too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I feed wild deer in my backyard?

A: There are a variety of plants that deer do not eat. For example, they will not touch mint or cilantro because it is too spicy for them to handle. Deer also seem to steer clear of cabbage and kale because they dont have the digestive enzymes needed to break down those vegetables nutrients.

Is it OK to feed deer in my backyard?

What can I feed deer in my garden?

A: You can feed deer with a mixture of chopped up dog food, chicken and fish.

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