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How to Make My Own Acorn Deer Treat

If you live near or in a rural woodland area, you may have noticed wild white-tailed deer roaming along the forest paths. During the fall and winter months, deer frequently eat acorns for a tasty, nutritious source of fat and protein. Making acorn treats and offering them in a certain spot encourages deer to visit the area frequently, increasing your opportunities to observe and photograph the animals.

Things You'll Need

Grinder
White oak acorns
Knife
Stabilized rice bran (SRB)
Corn meal
Granulated molasses
Bowl
Spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Collect a sack full of white oak acorns from native trees in your area. Deer prefer white oak acorns, but will also eat pin oak, black oak and bur oak acorns. Avoid collecting dark-colored acorns, as their high tannic acid level makes them taste bitter. Consult the Armchair Biologist website for examples of preferred acorns.
- 2
  Remove the acorn caps with a knife, and grind them in a grinder to the consistency of flour.
- 3
  Mix equal parts acorns, stabilized rice bran (SRB), corn meal and granulated molasses in a bowl.
- 4
  Spread the acorn mix evenly on the ground throughout your desired deer observation area, or pour the mix into an automatic feeder to prevent spreading disease. The scent of acorns and molasses will attract the deer, and the taste will keep them coming back.

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