Deer are nocturnal herbivores, which means they are very active at night time looking for food. As prey animals, they avoid staying in one spot for a long period of time. In practice, this means they quickly feed on the food available in an area and then move to another spot. So, whether you have deer as pets, or are trying to attract them to a place you can either watch or photograph them, you’ll need to know the best deer feeding times.
This article discusses the proper ways to feed deer including what to feed them, when to feed them and how to map out where they are.
What are the Best Deer Feeding Times?
Deer eat anytime of the day or night. But since they are nocturnal creatures, most deer feeding times are during the night. They may be active at night looking for food in open fields, then quickly galloping back to the woods to return to cover. Interestingly, deer eat more during the fall to pack on the fat supplies they will need during the tough winter season.
Deer are most active at dawn and dusk according to deer feeding charts. This can be affected by weather and time of year with changing sunset, sunrise and the location of the moon. Deer are more active at night because they feel safe looking for food during low-light conditions.
Their movement into the open fields, sometimes into yards or gardens if there is food to be found. In locations where deer are more common, homeowners can wake up to destroyed gardens or crops that were in perfect condition when they went to bed.
Feeding during winter
A chart will also determine that the change of seasons affect deer feeding times. In winter, food for the deer is scarce. They prepare for this season by eating more food before it turns cold. To clarify, this means they are more active during the fall in searching for food and preparing for the winter season.
What’s important to know is that fall is also the mating season for deer. During this season, deer eat more during the day than night time.
During the spring when plants, trees, and other vegetation are abundant, the deer eat more during night time. They are back to their regular feeding times as compared to the times during the winter.
What do deer eat?
Deer eat almost anything; they are herbivores so they eat leaves, bark, and any other parts of a tree or other vegetation. They are not picky eaters and among staple deer foods are grass, twigs, alfalfa, nuts, fruit, fungi, and acorns.
Even if they eat almost anything, they have their favorite foods. They like fruits such as apples and persimmons, and nuts such as hickory and pecans. Unfortunately, something that might be bad news for homeowners—deer also like vegetables, flowers, and ornamental trees.
If you are taking care of deer and wonder what do they eat, avoid giving them corn. Corn contains high levels of carbohydrates which are hard to digest by the deer’s complex digestive system. They may get seriously sick, which could end up in death. Corn is the worst kind of food for deer.
Supplemental deer feed mixes
If you plan to feed deer with supplemental food, use formulated food mixes. These supplements are a combination of oats, soybeans, alfalfa, molasses, and are enriched with vitamins, minerals and even protein feed. Each component is easy to digest, so they are perfect for supplemental feeding.
Most provide supplementary feed during the winter season when normal food is scarce and hard to find. But before they do it, they slowly introduce this kind of food because the deer are not used to it. They gradually mix it with the traditional deer food until they get used to it. It usually takes 3-5 weeks.
Deer feeder kits
Deer hunters use feeder kits to entice these animals to get into the target area. These are best used during the winter season when deer food is scarce. However, it is important to note that deer like acorns. If you place the kit in an area that’s abundant with acorns, deer will choose acorns.
Among the best-selling deer feeders for sale on the market today are the Moultrie Pro Hunter Quick-Lock Feeder Kit, On Time 11113 Lifetime Elite Feeder Timer, Banks Outdoors Feed Bank Gravity Feeder, and Moultrie Deer Feeder Classic Tripod. Choose a good brand and model to effectively attract deer for hunting or for observing.
Solunar Location Forcasting
If your a hunter and are looking to chart out and plan when the best time to hunt or even fish check out the Solunder Table. This advanced prediction system was created by John Alden Knight and is based on years of history, factors and combinations that effect wildlife and fish activity.
Type in your zip code and the system will provide best feed time and most movement based on your zip code, sunrise and moonrise. The detail of location specific information is amazing and you’ll see why it the sportsman’s choice.
Knowing the best deer feeding times, charting movement along with using effective feeder kits you’ll be able to achieve your deer hunting or observing goals.
Be sure to always check with your local city of towns rules and regulations to find out if deer feeding is allowed.
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