White‑tailed deer are versatile herbivores whose diet shifts with seasons, location, and life stage. Their everyday nutrition spans over 400 plant species—from lush spring greens to W‑winter browse—ensuring survival across varied habitats. This guide, spanning more than 1,400 words, covers it all: what they eat, why it matters, and how their choices influence ecology, management, and hunting.
At a Glance
Core diet makeup: ~85% browse (twigs, leaves), forbs, and mast. Remaining 15% includes grasses, fungi, lichens, and crops :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. Seasonal shifts in food sources help deer meet energy, protein, and mineral needs year‑round.
What White‑Tails Eat by Season
Spring (March–May)
With snow melting and new growth, deer switch to tender shoots, herbs, and leafy plants. They’ll eat:
- Forbs like clover, violets, dandelion, red clover, and lespedeza (<20–24% protein) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Woody browse: young shoots of shrubs and tree buds (maple, oak, sumac, dogwood) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Soft mast: berries and fruit emerging early (wild grapes, strawberries) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
They consume up to 10 lb per day in summer and moderate spring :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Summer (June–August)
Summer brings leafy growth and abundant forage:
- Herbaceous plants remain favorites: legumes, grapevine, hostas, daylilies, hydrangea :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Browse continues with woody tips and leaves of shrubs & trees :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Soft mast: continuation of berries, wild fruits for energy and water
- Mushrooms and fungi, valuable phosphorus source for antler growth :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Fall (September–November)
As doe and fawns prepare for winter, deer fatten up on:
- Hard mast: acorns, hickory nuts, chestnuts—rich in carbs and fats :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- Soft mast: apples, pears, plums—and ripe berries :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Crops: corn, soybeans, oats, hay on agricultural land :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Hard mast consumption jumps to ~28% of diet, up from 11% in summer :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
Winter (December–February)
Food becomes scarce, so deer adapt:
- Woody browse: buds, twigs, bark from aspen, birch, maple, cedar, hemlock :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Pawing through snow to access grasses and fallen mast :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
- Snow or ice water if liquid unavailable :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
They lower metabolism, rely on fat reserves, and select winter yards with dense cover :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
Diet Composition & Digestive Strategy
White‑tails are ruminants with a four-chambered stomach and special microbes for fermentation :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}. They prefer easily digestible vegetation—shoots, leaves, mushrooms—over tough grasses. Grasses make up a minor portion of the annual diet :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
Studies in the Southeast report intake of over 400 plant species—one-third of them constituting 93% of their diet :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
Key Food Categories
- Browse: woody plants—maple, oak, sumac, dogwood, pine, cedar
- Forbs: clover, legumes, wildflowers, herbaceous plants
- Mast: hard (nuts) and soft (berries, fruit)
- Grasses: minor, but used in open/suburban areas
- Fungi & Lichens: phosphorus-rich and winter staples
- Crops & Garden Plants: corn, soybeans, cabbage, berries, and ornamental plants :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
Nutritional Needs & Selection Drivers
Deer seek foods high in:
- Protein: critical for antler and fetal growth—summer forbs contain 20–24% protein :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
- Carbohydrates & Fat: fall mast and fruits help fatten for winter :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
- Vitamins & Minerals: browse, fungi, and mast provide calcium, phosphorus, and micronutrients; deer even chew bones/search minerals :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
Ecological & Management Implications
Habitat Impact
Heavy browsing shapes forest succession, favors invasive plants, and reduces understory diversity :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
Wildlife Management
Managers provide habitat that offers year‑round forage—mast trees, browse species, agricultural food plots, and cover near food sources :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
Hunting & Behavior
Food availability drives movement:
- Spring/summer: forest edges, fields, fruit trees
- Fall: near mast-producing oak stands and crop fields
- Winter: dense cover near woody browse and muzzle-lots
Feeding Errors & Human Interactions
Feeding grain in winter can destabilize digestion (corn toxicity), spread disease, and habituate deer :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.
Summary Table
| Season | Main Foods | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Forbs, buds, leafy browse | Protein for antlers, young growth |
| Summer | Forbs, browse, fungi, fruits | Growth and hydration |
| Fall | Hard & soft mast, crops | Fat buildup for winter |
| Winter | Woody browse, bark, lichens | Survival during scarcity |
Conclusion
White‑tailed deer diets are finely tuned to seasonal availability and nutritional demands. From tender spring forbs to winter woody browse, they adapt to survive across diverse habitats. This feeding strategy influences forest ecology, wildlife management, and hunting success. Understanding what and when deer eat helps inform conservation practices and gives hunters a strategic edge.
Have you observed deer eating unexpected plants on your property? Or want to share your experience on food plots? Drop a comment and let’s discuss!