Is it OK to feed deer apples in the winter?

You should try to load up deer feeders with apples near the end of winter. They'll benefit more from easily digestible foods during the winter months. Deer naturally eat apples, and apples are perfectly safe for use in a deer feeder. Apples provide deer with a sweet treat that gives them a large nutritional boost.

What can you feed wild deer in the winter?

Other good choices for winter forage are brassicas (greens and root bulbs) and sugar beets (greens and root bulbs). Both of these food types are favorites of deer because they are palatable and provide the nutrients necessary to help deer thrive during the winter and are particularly high in protein content.

Can you feed whole apples to deer?

Why do deer like apples? Deer have very sensitive digestive systems and feeding them the wrong thing can mess up their tummies. Apples are one of the fruits that they can find and eat naturally in the wild, which is why it is safe to feed them these juicy fruits! However, they should only be fed apples in moderation.

What should you not feed deer?

Feed deer fruits that are found in their natural habitat (apples, grapes, and carrots are all great). Do not feed them citrus or acidic fruits or vegetables. What type of corn should deer be fed? Corn is very hard for deer to digest, so it is recommended to not feed them corn at all.

Can deer choke on apples?

A deer's rumen (stomach) contains millions of living microorganisms, which allows their digestive system to handle just about anything. The trouble is these microorganisms are specialists. Accustomed to digesting woody browse, they are unable to tolerate corn or apples.

The Do's and Don'ts of Feeding Deer Over Winter

Will deer eat old apples?

Ripe or rotten. I'd say even preferred slightly rotten. If it's legal I say keep dumping them. They are so sweet smelling... they will draw deer in.

What kind of apples Do deer like?

Choosing varieties of apple trees can be a bit overwhelming. All attract deer, but some more than others. In my experience, sweeter varieties such as Red Delicious are more attractive to deer than sour trees, such as Granny Smith.

Should I cut up apples for deer?

Items you will need

Use more apples once you begin to see deer at the feeding spot. Cut the slices of apples into smaller pieces and place into a bowl.

What is a deer's favorite food to eat?

They love pecans, hickory nuts and beechnuts acorns in addition to acorns. A couple of favorite fruits are apples, blueberries, blackberries and persimmons. Deer occasionally enter yards to get their mouths on flowers, vegetables and ornamental trees -- quite often to the surprise of the homeowners.

What do deer love to eat the most?

Deer will primarily eat browse (woody portion of leaves and stems), forbs (broad-leaved plants), mast (acorns, apples, etc), and grass. Although these are the main foods deer like to eat, the quantity of these different foods differ throughout the year and the region you are hunting.

How much do deer like apples?

Apples are one of the fruits that they can find and eat naturally in the wild, which is why it is safe to feed them these juicy fruits! However, they should only be fed apples in moderation. What is this? Deer are very fond of sweet, fleshy fruits, and apples fit the bill perfectly!

Can deer get drunk on apples?

Apples & animal intoxication

Apples are a frequent culprit in many episodes of animal intoxication. Deer scavenging in orchards often stumble about or act very sleepy after ingesting one too many apple from the ground.

Why you should not feed wild deer?

Supplemental Feeding Can Harm Deer

attract predators and increase risk of death by coyotes or domestic dogs. spread disease among deer. cause aggression, wasting vital energy reserves and leading to injury or death. reduce fat reserves as deer use energy traveling to and from the feed site.

Whats the best thing to feed deer in the winter?

Begin feeding in late December or after accumulating 12 inches of snowpack (whichever comes first) when deer have likely transitioned to their wintering areas. Proper feed is natural browse items such as; dogwood, maple, ash, birch, or witch hobble. Oats or acorns can be given as diet supplements.

What is the cheapest thing to feed deer?

An inexpensive way to feed deer is with corn. Deer love corn and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. That being said, corn is not an excellent source of protein, which is essential for antler growth and the nursing of fawns.

Is it bad to feed deer corn in the winter?

“The worst thing we can do for deer in a tough winter is shock their system by providing a new food, particularly a high-energy food such as corn or high-protein food such as alfalfa hay that they are not used to,” said Kip. “In most cases, it ends up being worse for the deer than if they had not been fed.

What fruit do deer like best?

As for fruits, they enjoy pears, apples, plums, and strawberries. Additionally, forbs make up a large part of a wild deer's diet. Forbs are flowering plants that do not belong to the grass, sedge or rush family. For example, deer enjoy eating forbs such as ragweed, pokeweed, wild lettuce, and verbena.

Can deer eat apples and carrots?

5. Fruit & Vegetables. Although deer will eat apples, carrots, cabbage, etc., their use is not recommended. They are like candy to a child tasty but of little value in providing a well-balanced and nutritious diet.

What do whitetail deer eat in winter?

Usually deer can comfortably survive the winter by eating their usual diet of twigs, stems, grasses, and other plants wherever they typically would find them, as well as by supplementing with higher-calorie foods such as nuts, fruits, and even mushrooms.

Will deer find apples?

Apples work great for deer but unfortunately they attract fox and raccoons as well.

Do deer like apples or pears better?

Pears are just as good for deer as apples are, and deer love them just as much. They're not easily digestible, though. So, you have to take the same precautions that you would have to with apples. Try to feed them pears towards the end of winter, and make sure that you don't give them too much to eat.

How do you feed apples to wildlife?

One way is to save apple cores and scatter them in the woods. The wildlife enjoy the fruit and spread the seeds. Or rake up windfall apples from your neighbor's lawn and do the same with them.

Are salt licks good for deer?

All hooved mammals love salt, so licks made only of salt do a fine job of attracting deer. Licks with added flavors, minerals and nutrients can be even better, especially if you find one the deer in your area really love.

When should you stop feeding deer?

Late Winter to Early Spring

“Are You Feeding Your Deer To Death?” is one example. This is because deer stop eating grains in the fall when corn, wheat and others are harvested. Incorporating grains at the wrong time can lead to potentially fatal digestion issues. Of course, diets change with the region.

Should deer eat bread?

A small amounts of white bread cannot do any harm, but if a single deer were to eat anything more than a few slices of bread there is always the potential for life-threatening lacticacidosis. It is certainly not wise to put out large amounts because you cannot control how much each deer might eat.