It is phragmites (sp?) I beleive... It is an invasive species to Ohio which takes over much of the swampy areas, especially in Northern Ohio (like where you are!). I am sure the deer love it as a bedding area, however it does not provide them any nutritional value. My wife is a big anti-phragmites person... She points it out all the time. She is a bio HS teacher and a prof for a couple classes at OSU.