FOR NORTHERN DEER:

It's important to note that scientific evidence has recorded the consumption of well over 700 species of plants nationwide by white-tailed deer, and the above regional lists only represent some of the preferred species; consumption of each item varies with soil type, timber stand condition, and land use, and may only comprise a small portion of any individual deer's diet. The amount of plant utilization depends on its regional availability, the preference of the deer in that particular area, and the types and availability of other foods.


Spring


As snow melts in the early spring, the first herbaceous plants to become green provide deer with high-energy foods until buds of shrubs and trees begin opening. At this time, northern deer will spend most (67%) of their feeding time foraging herbaceous plants and will consume any available native and agricultural grasses, ferns and sedges. In the Midwest, early-season agricultural crops (e.g., clover, alfalfa) can make up a significant portion (89%) of a deer's diet.



A list of common natural foods eaten by northern white-tailed deer in Spring

By Matt Ross, Whitetail Stewards, Inc.
[ul][*]Wild oat grass (Danthonia compressa)[*]Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata)[*]Bluegrass (Poa fendleriana)[*]Kentucky bluegrass (P. pratensis)[*]Panic grass (Panicum spp.)[*]Quackgrass (Andrpyron repens)[*]Little bluestem (A. scoparius)[*]Three-awn grass (Aristida spp.)[*]Redtop (Agrostis alba)[*]Bluejoint (Calamagostis canadensis)[*]Downy chess (Bromus tectorum)[*]Canada wild-rye (Elymus canadensis)[*]Winter wheat (Agropyron spp.)[*]Bluebunch fescue (Festuca idahoensis)[*]Rough fescue (F. scabrella)[*]Timothy grass (Phleum pratense)[*]Red clover (Trifolium pratense)[*]Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)[*]Spinulose-shield fern (Dryopteris austriaca)[*]Sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina)[*]Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinium)[*]Moonwort (Botrychium spp.)[*]Sedge (Carex spp.) [/ul]


Summer
As forbs and young leaves become more available during early summer, northern deer shift from a strict diet of grasses, ferns, and sedges, and begin eating a mixture of herbaceous vegetation, young leaves, and the current shoots of woody species. In late summer, woody plant parts become less important, and deer

A list of common natural foods eaten by northern white-tailed deer in Summer
By Matt Ross, Whitetail Stewards, Inc.
[ul][*]Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)[*]Tick trefoil (Desmodium spp.)[*]Lespedeza (Lespedeza spp.)[*]Everlasting (Antennaria spp.)[*]Wild carrot (Daucus carota )[*]Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.)[*]Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella)[*]Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)[*]Dog-tooth violet (Erythronium americanum)[*]Spring beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)[*]Trillium (Trillium undulatum)[*]Meadow-sweet (Spiraea latifolia)[*]Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)[*]Black raspberry (R. occidentalis)[*]Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) [*]Blackberry (R. allegheniensis)[*]Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)[*]Greenbrier (Smilax spp.)[*]Strawberry bush (Fragaria spp.)[*]Grape (Vitis spp.)[*]Rose (Rosa spp.)[*]White ash (Fraxinus americana)[*]Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)[*]Red maple (A. rubrum)[*]Black cherry (Prunus serotina)[*]Yellow birch (Betula lutea)[*]Basswood (Tilia americana)[*]Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)[*]Choke cherry (Prunus americana) [/ul]
Autumn
In autumn, northern deer require a high-energy, digestible food source in order to acquire fat for the upcoming winter. However, by autumn, most green vegetation has become dry and dormant and has low palatability. At this time of year, soft and hard mast (fruits and nuts) become available and are a required component in the diet of northern deer. During years of heavy acorn production (up to 200 lbs/acre), acorns may comprise over 50% of the daily diet of deer. During years when acorns are scarce, deer will seek out seeds and fruits from other plants. Deer will also consume persistent green leaves from brambles and groundcovers, and mushroom will comprise a small portion of the diet. Woody browse is an important component of the autumn diet of northern deer.

A list of common natural foods eaten by northern white-tailed deer in Autumn
By Matt Ross, Whitetail Stewards, Inc.
[ul][*]Acorns (Quercus spp.)[*]Beech nuts (Fagus grandifolia)[*]Hickory nuts (Carya spp.)[*]Apples (Malus spp.)[*]Corn (Zea mays)[*]Sumac (Rhus typhina)[*]Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)[*]Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)[*]Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea)[*]Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)[*]Dogwood (Cornus spp.)[*]Bearberry (Arctostaphylos urva-ursi)[*]Creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens)[*]Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)[*]Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)[*]Red maple (Acer rubrum)[*]Red oak (Quercus rubra)[*]Black birch (Betula lenta) [/ul]

Winter
Winter in northern regions usually brings deep snow that limits the availability of most foods to deer. As a result, the winter diet of northern deer consists almost entirely (over 80%) of coniferous and deciduous browse and bark. Dry leaves, evergreen ferns, and plants with persistent winter fruits (e.g., mountain ash, hawthorn, rose hips, sumac, and poison ivy) are also important. Following an abundant mast year, deer may paw through more than one foot of snow to find and eat acorns. Once deep snow and cold temperatures are common, any plant that provides food within or near winter cover is typically consumed first, regardless of its palatability.


In winter, northern deer experience what is called a "negative energy balance" as a result of the poor availability and quality of winter food. This means that food quality is so poor that deer are unable to eat enough food to maintain their body weight, and as a result, they loose weight (mostly fat) throughout winter. (Research has shown that even when northern deer are provided high-quality supplemental food during winter they still loose weight.) Because winter food is of such poor quality, deer rely on stored body fat for as much as 30% of their winter energy requirements. Additionally, deer reduce the amount of food they require by reducing their activity and by selecting winter cover that provides shallow snow depths and warmer temperatures.
[ul][*]Dry oak leaves (Quercus spp.)[*]Acorns (Quercus spp.)[*]Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)[*]Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)[*]Multi-flora rose (Rosa multiflora)[*]Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)[*]Poison-ivy fruits (Toxicodendron radicans)[*]Striped maple (Acer pennsylvanicum)[*]Red maple (A. rubrum)[*]Mountain maple (A. spicatum)[*]American mountain ash (Sorbus americana)[*]Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium)[*]Wild-raisin (V. cassinoides)[*]Black haw (V. prunifolium)[*]Maple leaf viburnum (V. acerifolium)[*]Dogwood (Cornus spp.)[*]Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)[*]Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis)[*]Paper birch (B. papyrifera)[*]Alder (Alnus spp.)[*]Common spicebush (Benzoin aestivale)[*]Hazelnut (Corylus americana)[*]Canada yew (Taxus canadensis)[*]Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)[*]Common juniper (J. communis)[*]Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)[*]Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)[*]Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)[*]Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) [/ul]