Do deer eat pumpkins?
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co Maryland USA
Posts: 4,966
Do deer eat pumpkins?
My neighbor' s son is trying to make some extra $$ by raising pumpkins in a 2-3 acre patch of ground which has a small thicket next to it where a number of deer bed. This used to be a small corn field which the deer went to all the time. Are deer at all attracted to pumpkins?
#4
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co Maryland USA
Posts: 4,966
RE: Do deer eat pumpkins?
That would be alright if he didn' t harvest them before the first frost. He plans to sell them during late September thru October---before we get a hard frost on them. I think he plans on growing some gourds out there too.
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Passin\'through>>>>------------> NJ USA
Posts: 803
RE: Do deer eat pumpkins?
I had a few growing outside my garden fence. Grew them for my young son. They were the size of softballs. Deer hit them in mid september and ruined them..
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,079
RE: Do deer eat pumpkins?
I have posted on this topic many times.
I have been growing them for 5 years now. I sell them Mid October until Halloween. I see you are in Conneticut. Here in MN I am fortunate that the pumpkins freeze. The deer will eat them when they are frozen solid. Also when deer get used to them being grown in the same area they will start eating the pumpkins when they are ripe and still on the vines.
I have been growing them for 5 years now. I sell them Mid October until Halloween. I see you are in Conneticut. Here in MN I am fortunate that the pumpkins freeze. The deer will eat them when they are frozen solid. Also when deer get used to them being grown in the same area they will start eating the pumpkins when they are ripe and still on the vines.
#7
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co Maryland USA
Posts: 4,966
RE: Do deer eat pumpkins?
buckmine--I' m in Maryland, so our frosts generally occur a good bit later. However, it looks like the pumpkins won' t be a deterent at the very least. I know they loved the corn (when it was there) and they continue to love the alfalfa that is on the other 2 sides of the thicket. Hopefully they' ll like the pumpkins/gourds enough that I' ll stand a reasonable chance there when the wind dictates hunting that side.
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,079
RE: Do deer eat pumpkins?
Dave the Harford Co through me off. At a quick glance I thought it was Hartford. I have never been out East. At least North East that is.
The small pumpkin pies are much tastieer than the Jack o lantern pumpkins. Last year was the first year for Buttercup squash for me and they like them also. Maybe better than the pie pumpkins. May have to experiment this fall.
While I am here can any one help me with my image down below? The help section is not helping!!!
The small pumpkin pies are much tastieer than the Jack o lantern pumpkins. Last year was the first year for Buttercup squash for me and they like them also. Maybe better than the pie pumpkins. May have to experiment this fall.
While I am here can any one help me with my image down below? The help section is not helping!!!
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: chiefland Florida USA
Posts: 5,417
RE: Do deer eat pumpkins?
I grow punkins in my hunt club every year and have for last 6 years.I always pick mine in late Sept. and Oct.
the deer are there every day and have yet to have one eaten.they may eat them when they get frost or freeze on them. I have all mine gone before then.
I guess you just have to pick them before cold weather.
the deer are there every day and have yet to have one eaten.they may eat them when they get frost or freeze on them. I have all mine gone before then.
I guess you just have to pick them before cold weather.