Deer Diets

Spring &Summer

• During spring and summer, deer diets focus on the leafy greens on the ground. Oftentimes, deer appear to be eating grass, but they are actually eating clover, alfalfa, dandelion greens, ferns and other plants often considered weeds. Deer do not like grasses, but they will eat them if desperate. Deer will invade gardens and farms to eat green vegetable crops, such as lettuce, spinach and carrot tops. They will also eat poison ivy and wild berries.

Autumn

• During autumn, the green plants grow slower, and deer diets shift to hardier plants, which provide more energy and fat for the coming winter. Large crops are ready for harvesting, so deer will take the opportunity to raid farms for corn and hay. Trees are also producing nuts, so deer will eat acorns, beechnuts, pecans and other nuts. Deer will also take advantage of low-hanging fruit, such as apples, pears and peaches.

Winter

• During winter, the cold temperatures and potential snowfall limit the deer diet to woody plants. Deer eat the twigs, stems, needles and buds of hardy plants, such as trees, vines and shrubs. Deer will eat the best parts from the best tasting trees first. They will then eat the less preferred parts and less preferred plants. Preferred trees include white pine, red maple, sumac and dogwoods.

Human Food

• Human food can damage deers' digestive systems and make deer reliant on people. People are tempted to feed deer during the winter in particular, but feeding deer anything out of season can change their physiological make up so they cannot digest woody plants. The deer will ultimately starve to death unless the feedings are consistent throughout the entire winter. Commercial deer food is available, but the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources warns that the cost will rise as more deer find the feeding spot and become reliant on the provided food.