Did you know that deer can consume over 700 different plant species?1 Deer have quite the appetite, and their menu is more diverse than you might think.
From tender spring shoots to fallen autumn fruits, these elegant creatures have a palate that adapts with the seasons.
Whether you’re looking to attract deer to your property or keep them away from your prized garden, understanding their dietary preferences is key. Here are the 15 foods that make their mouths water and their tails wag with delight.
1. Acorns
Acorns are like nature’s energy bars for deer. These nutrient-packed nuts are a staple in their diet, especially during the fall months when deer are preparing for winter.
Rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, acorns provide the perfect combination of nutrients to help deer build up their fat reserves.
Deer have been observed spending hours foraging for acorns beneath oak trees. They’re particularly fond of white oak acorns, which are less bitter than those from red oaks.
In areas with abundant oak trees, acorns can make up a significant portion of a deer’s diet.
2. Apples
Apples are like candy to deer, offering a sweet and juicy treat that’s hard to resist. These fruits are not only delicious but also provide essential vitamins and natural sugars that deer crave.
When apples start falling from trees in late summer and early autumn, it’s like a buffet has opened in the forest.
Deer will often frequent orchards or properties with apple trees, sometimes even standing on their hind legs to reach the lower branches. The high water content in apples also helps keep deer hydrated.
Interestingly, deer seem to prefer slightly overripe apples, as the softer texture and increased sweetness make them even more appealing.
3. Soybeans
Soybeans are a protein-packed powerhouse that deer absolutely adore. These legumes offer a perfect balance of nutrients, including essential amino acids that are crucial for deer health. In agricultural areas, soybean fields can become a hotspot for deer activity, especially in the late summer and early fall.
Deer are particularly fond of young soybean plants, often browsing on the tender leaves and stems. As the plants mature, deer will continue to feed on the pods and beans.
Farmers in deer-heavy areas often report significant crop damage due to deer’s insatiable appetite for soybeans. Some wildlife managers even plant soybean plots specifically to attract and sustain deer populations.
4. Corn
Corn is like fast food for deer – high in calories and irresistibly tasty. This grain provides a quick energy boost, which is especially important during the colder months when deer need to maintain their body heat.
Corn fields can become a magnet for deer, drawing them from miles around.
While corn is not a natural part of a deer’s diet, they’ve quickly adapted to take advantage of this abundant food source. Deer will munch on corn throughout its growth stages, from the tender young shoots to the mature ears.
However, wildlife experts caution against overfeeding deer with corn, as it lacks the balanced nutrition they need for optimal health.
5. Clover
Clover is like a gourmet salad for deer, packed with nutrients and easy to digest. This low-growing plant is a favorite among deer due to its high protein content and palatability.
Clover fields or patches in meadows often show signs of heavy deer browsing, with plants nibbled close to the ground.
Deer particularly relish white clover, which can contain up to 25% protein in its leaves. This makes it an excellent food source for pregnant does and growing fawns. Clover also provides essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
6. Alfalfa
Alfalfa is like a superfood smoothie for deer, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. This legume is highly nutritious and easily digestible, making it a preferred food source for deer throughout the year.
Alfalfa fields can become hotspots for deer activity, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.
The high protein content of alfalfa makes it particularly valuable for pregnant does and growing fawns. Deer will feed on all parts of the alfalfa plant, from the tender leaves to the stems and flowers.
In some areas, deer damage to alfalfa crops can be significant, leading farmers to implement various deterrent strategies. Despite this, many wildlife managers consider alfalfa an excellent choice for food plots aimed at supporting healthy deer populations.
7. Oak Leaves
Oak leaves are like a staple vegetable in a deer’s diet, providing a reliable food source throughout much of the year. Deer browse on oak leaves from spring through fall, with the tender new growth in spring being particularly appealing.
These leaves offer a good balance of nutrients and are readily available in many forest ecosystems.
Interestingly, deer seem to have preferences for certain oak species. Studies have shown that they often favor white oak leaves over red oak, possibly due to lower tannin levels which make them more palatable.(ref)
Oak leaves also provide important roughage in a deer’s diet, aiding in digestion. In areas with abundant oak trees, these leaves can form a significant portion of a deer’s daily food intake, especially when other preferred foods are scarce.
8. Fruits
Fruits are like nature’s dessert for deer, offering a sweet and nutritious treat that they simply can’t resist. From wild berries to fallen orchard fruits, deer will eagerly seek out these sugary delights.
Fruits provide not only natural sugars for quick energy but also essential vitamins and hydration.
Deer have been known to develop a particular fondness for certain fruits. Blackberries, raspberries, and wild grapes are often stripped clean in areas with high deer populations.
In regions with fruit orchards, deer can become a significant problem for farmers, as they’ll readily feast on everything from apples and pears to peaches and plums. The high water content in fruits also makes them an attractive food source during dry spells, helping deer meet their hydration needs.
9. Nuts
Nuts are like high-energy snacks for deer, packed with fats and proteins that are crucial for their survival, especially as they prepare for winter.
While acorns are the most well-known nut in a deer’s diet, they’ll eagerly consume a variety of nuts when available. Hickory nuts, beechnuts, and chestnuts are all on the menu when deer can find them.
The nutritional value of nuts makes them particularly important in the fall months. The high-fat content helps deer build up their energy reserves before the lean winter season.
Interestingly, deer have been observed remembering the locations of productive nut trees and returning to these spots year after year. In areas with abundant nut-producing trees, these foods can make up a significant portion of a deer’s autumn diet.
10. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are like gourmet truffles in the deer world, offering a rare and nutritious delicacy. These fungi provide deer with essential minerals and proteins that are often lacking in their plant-based diet.
Deer have been observed actively searching for mushrooms, using their keen sense of smell to locate these hidden treats.
Different species of mushrooms appear throughout the year, giving deer access to this food source in various seasons. Interestingly, the consumption of certain mushrooms by deer may aid in the dispersal of fungal spores, contributing to forest ecosystem health.
While mushrooms don’t make up a large portion of a deer’s diet, they’re an important supplementary food that deer will eagerly consume when available.
11. Twigs & Buds
Twigs and buds are like the bread and butter of a deer’s winter diet, providing essential sustenance when other food sources are scarce.
During the colder months, deer will browse on the tender tips of branches from a variety of trees and shrubs. This behavior, known as “twig browsing,” helps deer survive when snow covers most vegetation.
The nutritional value of twigs and buds varies depending on the plant species, but they generally provide a good source of fiber and some proteins. Deer show preferences for certain species, often favoring maple, ash, and dogwood.
The buds of these plants are particularly nutritious, containing concentrated nutrients that help deer maintain their energy levels. This feeding habit can sometimes lead to conflicts with humans, as deer may damage ornamental plants and young trees in residential areas during harsh winters.
12. Grass
Grass is like the salad course in a deer’s meal, providing a readily available source of nutrition throughout much of the year. While not as nutrient-dense as some other food sources, grass makes up a significant portion of a deer’s diet, especially in spring and early summer when new growth is tender and protein-rich.
Deer prefer younger, softer grasses that are easier to digest. They’ll often graze on lawns, meadows, and forest clearings, sometimes causing frustration for homeowners proud of their manicured yards.
While grass alone doesn’t provide all the nutrients deer need, it serves as an important filler food that helps maintain their digestive health.
13. Cedar Foliage
Cedar foliage is like a winter survival food for deer, offering a crucial source of nutrition when other vegetation is scarce.
Despite its strong aroma, which might seem unappetizing to humans, deer find cedar to be an acceptable food source, especially during harsh winter months. This evergreen foliage provides some sustenance when snow covers most other plants.
Cedar contain oils that may have some medicinal properties for deer, potentially helping them ward off parasites. However, cedar is not a preferred food and is often eaten out of necessity rather than choice.
In areas with high deer populations, heavy browsing on cedar trees can be observed, sometimes leading to a distinct “browse line” where deer have eaten all the foliage within their reach. Wildlife managers often monitor cedar consumption as an indicator of winter severity and deer population density.
14. Hostas
Hostas are like gourmet salad greens for deer, much to the dismay of many gardeners.
These ornamental plants, prized for their lush foliage, are irresistible to deer due to their tender leaves and high water content. In suburban and rural areas where deer and human habitats overlap, hostas often become a prime target for hungry deer.
The nutritional value of hostas for deer is relatively high, especially in terms of moisture content. This makes them particularly attractive during dry spells or in areas where water sources are limited.
Deer will often consume entire hosta plants, leaving nothing but stems behind, much to the frustration of gardeners. Some varieties of hostas are marketed as “deer-resistant,” but in reality, a hungry deer will eat almost any hosta if other food sources are scarce.
15. Pansies
Pansies are like colorful candy to deer, offering a visually appealing and tasty treat in gardens and landscaped areas.
These popular flowering plants are often targeted by deer, especially in spring when other food sources may be limited. The soft, tender nature of pansy flowers and leaves makes them easy for deer to consume.
While pansies don’t provide significant nutritional value compared to other plants in a deer’s diet, their availability in cultivated areas makes them an easy snack. Deer seem to be particularly attracted to the brightly colored blooms, which may stand out against other vegetation.
Gardeners in deer-prone areas often find their carefully planted pansy beds decimated overnight, leading many to seek deer-resistant alternatives or protective measures for these beloved flowers.
While their voracious appetite can sometimes lead to conflicts with human interests, it’s important to remember that deer are simply following their instincts to survive and thrive. By gaining insight into their dietary preferences, we can better coexist with these graceful animals and appreciate their place in the natural world.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.