Deer and leaves
 

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?

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 .....

RE: Deer and leaves
 

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.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

It would only work in late season if it does at all.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

Honey Suckle (sp?) is about the only leave I have seen deer utilize as a food source on a regular basis.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

According to some, that would be baiting, not that there is anything wrong with it ;).

RE: Deer and leaves
 

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).

Hence my question.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

I know they like mape, I've watched em eat them like candy.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

To answer your question no.

Personally, I have observed deer browsing on leaves that are still on a tree then browsing off the forest floor after they have dropped.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

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

RE: Deer and leaves
 

I usually (right or wrong)associate browsing with fauna that's still on the tree limbs. My question is about leaves that have dropped.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

Never seen deer eating leaves off the ground. No experience. Can not help you. Abort. Abort.

LT[8D]

RE: Deer and leaves
 

Deer love maple leaves when the sugar count is the highest. Thats in the early fall I believe!!

Hatchet Jack

RE: Deer and leaves
 

Now we're talking.;)

RE: Deer and leaves
 

HJ has this right.I have watched deer woof maple leaves many times.

RE: Deer and leaves
 

Oak seedlings!, 6-12 inches by fall

RE: Deer and leaves
 

Where I hunt in the swamps of S. Alabama I found a tree with with tons of droppings around it. The only thing on the ground were bright red leaves, which I assumed was the reason for all the droppings. I later found out that the tree was a black gum tree, and that deer do prefer the leaves of this tree. Also, when hurricane Ivan rolled through here late summer one year, it destroyed the white oak crop, and downed many trees. Later in the season the deer were tearing up the leaves still attached to the tops of the downed trees.