Has anyone (I haven't) ever given any strategy thoughts towards the specific type(s) of leaves a whitetail is utilizing for a food source, during leaf drop.....and used this information as a strategy tool for trying to set up on them?
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RE: Deer and leaves
I absolutely have ..... late season, there are these knee to chest high deals that will keep green leaves on them in the deep of winter .... deer LOVE them .....
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A Trophy is highly personal and is often determined by the circumstances, events, and the individual feelings of accomplishment and not by a score card. - Greg "Doc" Caldwell
for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks!
I guess I haven't paid attention either really. Here in IL, with so many other food sources (crops, acorns, locust pods) so I don't really think they are eating all that many leaves necessarily. In locales with maybe more severe weather earlier in the season, perhaps leaves are an option for food.
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Deer eat all sorts of leaves (including hardwoods). Some of them are prior to.....and a lot of them post leaf drop (and the timing of when they actually fall has a bearing on HOW attactive they are to the deer).
A deer will browse on just about anything. They will eat fungus off of decaying timber as well. Do not know why, but I have witnessed this first hand. I do know they will eat the heck out of Honey Locust Pods and Honeysuckle as well.
LT
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"The Whitetail Deer". Call them dumb, call them curious, call them whatever you want, but one day, the biggest one you ever saw will turn you into a babbling fool.
Deer and leaves
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