Curious about the diet of deer during the warm summer months? In summer, deer primarily feed on a rich variety of vegetation, including soft fruits like apples and berries, nutritious legumes such as soybeans and clovers, and various plants’ fresh leaves, stems, and buds. This article explores the specifics of “what do deer eat in the summer”, from the protein-packed greens that fuel their growth to the hydration they seek from juicy vegetation and natural water sources. Read on to understand their foraging habits and how they fulfill their dietary needs in the summer’s bounty.
Summer Foraging Favorites
Far from being random foragers, deer possess a keen sense of their bodily needs and exhibit proficiency in meeting them. Their diet is diverse in the bountiful summer season, but a few favorites stand out. Soft fruits, legumes, and specific plant parts make the top of their menu, providing essential nutrients and satisfying their palates.
High in sugars and vitamins, soft fruits are both a sweet treat and a nutritional necessity among various food items. Contrastingly, legumes function as a protein powerhouse, brimming with essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Specific plant species parts that animals can eat include:
browse
forbs
grasses
nuts
fruits
mushrooms
These add diversity to their diet; agricultural crops like corn and soybeans are an irresistible bonus.
Soft Fruits
Think about biting into a ripe, juicy apple or a handful of sweet berries. These are not just human favorites. Deer too are drawn to the high energy, essential nutrients, and hydration that fruits offer, making them an excellent source of deer food. Understanding their food habits can help us better protect and manage their natural habitats.
During summer, deer find soft fruits particularly alluring. Some examples of these fruits include:
Apples
Pears
Persimmons
Plums
Mulberries
Grapes
Cherries
Berries
These fruits ripen in July and August, making summer the perfect season for our dear friends to indulge in their sweet tooth.
Legumes
Regarding legumes, the whitetail deer herd has their pick of the lot. Their summer buffet is rich and varied from peas and beans to lab-lab, red clover, white clover, iron clay cowpeas, and soybeans.
These legumes don’t simply taste good, they also play a critical role in deer’s health. Soybeans, for instance, are packed with phosphorus and potassium, making them an essential superfood for deer during early spring and summer. Another superfood, clover, offers up to 30 percent protein, supporting their growth and overall health.
Specific Plant Parts
Beyond fruits and legumes, deer eat various plant parts, showcasing their knack for finding nutritious bites. Their summer diet often includes leaves, stems, and buds of plants like deer feed. Feeding deer with these plants can be beneficial for their health:
jointvetch
alyceclover
cowpeas
clover
beans
peas
alfalfa
buckwheat
clovers
native lespedezas
What makes these plant parts attractive to deer is their high protein content and essential nutrients, especially in woody plants and new buds. They forage for these parts during the early morning and late evening hours, when the temperature is cooler and their natural predators are less active.
Deer Nutritional Needs in Summer
Despite the abundance of food choices that summer brings, deer strive to meet their specific nutritional needs. Protein, minerals, and water are vital for their growth, survival, and health.
Protein, predominantly sourced from green leaves, browse, and forbs, aids their growth and overall health. Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, zinc, copper, and manganese are essential for their wellbeing. Water, an often underestimated element, is indispensable for deer to regulate their body temperature and ensure smooth functioning of their bodily processes.
Protein for Antler Growth and Fawn Development
Protein is a superstar nutrient for deer, especially for antler growth in bucks and fawn development in does. In their first year, Buck fawns require more protein for their antler growth. Not getting enough protein can result in smaller antlers in bucks and slower growth rates in fawns.
Fawns, in particular, need up to 20% protein in their diet to properly grow and develop their antler pedicles.
Vital Minerals for Overall Health
While protein propels growth, minerals are the building blocks for deer health. Calcium, for instance, is critical for antler growth and skeletal development of fawns and yearlings.
Phosphorus is vital in bone and antler growth, milk production, and overall health. A lack of key minerals can lead to serious health problems, such as a weakened immune system or hindered antler growth.
Hydration: The Importance of Water
In the face of sweltering summer heat, deer find an ally in water. It helps them regulate their body temperature and maintain their bodily functions. With around 70 to 75 percent of a deer’s body weight made up of water, they need to replenish it every 24 to 48 hours.
Deer quench their thirst from various sources, including:
rivers
lakes
ponds
creeks
natural springs
watering troughs
puddles
the water contained in the vegetation they eat
Dehydration can cause serious health issues and change a deer’s behavior, making water a crucial aspect of their summer diet.
Food Plots and Supplemental Feeding
Despite deer’s adeptness at sourcing their food, we can extend a helping hand. Food plots and supplemental feeding can support the deer population during the summer, providing additional nutrition and attracting them to specific areas.
Planting a variety of legumes like clover, beans, peas, alfalfa, and lablab in food plots can be a great way to attract deer. Supplemental feeding, however, ensures they always have something to eat, especially when their usual food sources aren’t around.
Establishing Food Plots
The establishment of food plots necessitates a degree of planning and preparation. Here are some steps to follow:
Clear the soil of existing plants and loosen it with a rake or board before packing it down.
Add lime based on a soil analysis before planting.
Fertilize after the plants have started growing.
For a late-summer food plot, consider planting perennials like clovers, alfalfa, and chicory, and legumes such as beans, peas, and lablab. These plants are not only nutritious but also attract deer to your property.
Supplemental Feeding Tips
Supplemental feeding can be advantageous, but it’s crucial to undertake it responsibly to prevent over-dependence. A balanced supplement that provides energy from fat and fiber instead of starch and sugar can help maintain the right balance with their natural diet.
It’s also important to provide supplemental feeding all year round. However, the key is to support their diet without making them overly reliant on human-provided food.
Monitoring Deer Activity in Summer
Observing deer activity during summer can yield valuable insights for hunters and land managers. Understanding their movement patterns, feeding habits, and preferred habitats can help in planning hunting strategies or conservation efforts.
Trail cameras and field observations are two effective ways to monitor deer activity. Both methods offer unique advantages and can be used in combination for a more comprehensive understanding of deer behavior.
Trail Cameras
Trail cameras have gained popularity as a tool for deer tracking. They can be set up in spots where deer usually hang out, like near food and water sources, or their travel paths between resting and feeding spots. Using multiple cameras can cover more ground and provide a more complete picture of deer activity.
The setup of a trail camera for deer tracking demands certain considerations. Here are some tips to follow:
Position the camera at chest height.
Aim the camera to have the deer pass within 10 yards.
This ensures a clear view and increases the chances of capturing valuable images.
Field Observations
Beyond trail cameras, field observations serve as a meaningful mechanism to comprehend deer behavior. Looking for signs of deer and their favorite foods can provide insights into their preferred habitats and food sources.
Observations can reveal where deer like to rest during the summer heat, what plant parts they prefer, and how they move around in response to availability of food. These insights can be crucial for hunters and land managers to understand deer behavior and plan accordingly.
Preparing for Hunting Season: Attracting Deer with Summer Food Sources
With the waning of summer, hunters initiate preparations for the hunting season. Attracting deer with summer food sources can significantly improve hunting success in the fall. By providing the right foods, at the right time, hunters can attract deer to their property and keep them there. Some effective summer food sources for attracting deer include:
Clover
Soybeans
Alfalfa
Sunflowers
Corn
By planting and maintaining these food sources, hunters can create an ideal habitat for deer and increase their chances of a successful hunt.
Two effective strategies for attracting deer include the planting of late-summer food plots and provision of water sources. These efforts not only provide deer with food and water but also create an environment that deer find safe and comfortable, making your property a preferred destination for them.
Planting Late-Summer Food Plots
Late-summer food plots can be a game-changer for attracting deer. Planting a variety of forage types such as perennials like clovers, alfalfa, and chicory, as well as legumes such as beans, peas, and lablab can draw deer to your property.
The timing of planting is pivotal. Sowing seeds between early August and early September ensures the plot is ready for deer grazing as the season transitions. Maintaining the food plot with fast-sprouting crops like winter wheat or oats keeps it appealing to deer all season long.
Providing Water Sources
Although frequently neglected, water sources play a key role in attracting deer, particularly during the scorching summer months. Providing artificial water sources like troughs or tubs can be incredibly beneficial in attracting deer to your property.
Deer need about two to three quarts of water per day for every 100 pounds of body weight during the summer months. By providing a reliable source of water, you can make your land more attractive to deer and increase your chances of a successful hunting season.
Summary
In conclusion, understanding a deer’s summer diet and nutritional needs, along with careful monitoring and strategic planning, can significantly improve your hunting success. By providing the right food, water, and habitat, you can attract deer to your property and ensure they stay there.