skillet01

What type of plants do deer key in on at this time of year(nw pa). Alot has been written about food sources. Mostly about the mass producing variety but what about other sources (not clover wheat ect).?Not sure where the deer are heading for food. There are no oak trees OR apples this year a few cherry (some dropping) many sugar maple. There are a couple of 10 acre corn fields that do not get much use early in the season.
Does anyone know of any articals on the prefered sources and how they change through out the season. I realize this will be drastically differant based on locations but someone likley knows the answer . Looking for more indepth plant variety preferences as the season progresses.

thanks
skillet

Mr. Deer Hunter

Deer will eat acorns, white oak is the preferred food source.
They will also look for green grass.
With all the rain we had the last two days, I have been seeing deer in peoples front yards, trying to get a mouth full of green grass.
Deer will head for the corn as soon as the sap starts to dry up.

Other then that, deer will eat browse and what ever they can find.
I have seen them eat leaves and even pine tree needles if they are hungry enough.

Reading isn't always the best teacher for hunting, you are better off to spend time in the woods learning these things.

With the drought we have experienced this summer where I live, I would hunt the water sources more then the food source because a deer has to drink water twice a day. When the only water for a mile in any direction is a old dirty mud puddle - you can pretty guess where they will be heading when they get thirsty.

BillBrasky

I agree with Deer Hunter that you should explore the place you are hunting to really have an idea of what the deer are doing. Keep in mind that food sources are only half of a deer's battle plan. You should also take into account where they are bedding down during the day and at night and how those will change during the season. Your best bet is to try to find a habitat that won't be cut down in the fall or winter (CRP grass is GREAT for this, but dense forest with open savannas are nice too) and figure out what food/water sources are around and how the deer are getting there. If you can find one path near their beds that could go to many different food plots you can really up your odds!