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20 mar 2016 · Some wildlife professionals may encourage food plots in the winter; however, a Texas study indicated deer reduce their intake in winter even if feed is readily available. Although deep snow can be a problem in northern states, deer die-offs due to winter conditions are rare in Arkansas.
Feeding deer in the winter can be rewarding, but it requires knowledge, responsibility, and mindfulness. Selecting the right food and deploying the right feeding strategies are key elements in helping sustain a healthy deer population through the harsh winter months.
What to Plant. A deer’s nutritional requirements change throughout the year. For example, carbohydrates and fats from grains such as clover, winter wheat, sorghum, etc. are desirable fall/winter foods. These should comprise about 1/3 of your food plot acres.
23 kwi 2021 · Whether you hunt deer on public land or private, and especially if you plan to practice habitat management, identifying these attractive natural food sources can make a real difference in your success.
Trees, shrubs and native grasses afford cover when wildlife are resting, nesting, brooding young, escaping from predators and surviving cold winter temperatures. Legumes attract insects, which wild turkey, songbirds and bobwhite chicks consume during critical life stages. Figure 1. Bobwhite quail populations are declining because of habitat loss.
Planting grasses and forbs in food plots provides patches of diverse habitat. By cultivating and seeding in strategic locations, viewing and hunting opportunities are improved. Hunters can draw wildlife into openings for selective harvest as one component of a deer management plan.
Know Your Native Deer Foods. Food studies have identified several hundred plant species that deer will consume during the course of a year. Some are used seasonally, some only when little else is available, and some are preferred regardless of season and other species’ availability.
