Supplemental Feeding Versus Baiting for Whitetail

Many landowners and hunters consider supplemental feeding an important factor in deer management and a source of nutrition when native forage is inadequate either in quantity or quality. Under certain conditions a supplemental feeding program can help. However, most deer feeding programs which provide sufficient additional nutrients to be of value are quite expensive.

There is a distinct difference between feeding and baiting white-tailed deer. Maintaining deer feeders from October through December is a common practice on many ranches to attract deer to hunting blinds during the hunting season. Unfortunately most of these baiting efforts cease just before additional feed is really needed by the deer — in late winter. Supplemental feeding is most-beneficial during stress periods. Stress periods for deer are usually encountered when the protein content of the forage is at a low level during severe winters, dry springs and dry summers.

As mentioned, supplemental feeding of deer is expensive, and unless properly done it may be of little or no benefit to the deer. The most efficient means of insuring adequate nutrition is through a good range management program that provides sufficient cover and a variety of browse plants as well as forbs. This is done by reducing deer numbers and domestic livestock numbers to levels that allow the range to recover and remain in good condition.

A common mistake made by many landowners attempting to develop a range management plan is to disregard the number of animal units of deer present when calculating use of the range. If deer are present, they will also be using available forage and must be considered as part of the stocking rate. If large numbers of deer are desired, domestic livestock must be reduced to prevent damage to the range.

Under good range conditions, deer and cattle do not compete for food. However, deer, sheep and goats are in direct competition for the available food supply. When a range is in poor condition deer and cattle will compete for forb and browse plants.

Supplemental feeding of deer may be beneficial if the herd is harvested adequately each year and the range is in good condition. Only under closely controlled conditions will supplemental feeding benefit growth-rate of body and antlers. The benefits of a supplemental feeding program may be more quickly realized when feeding is done within game-fenced areas that allow the landowner to closely control the white-tailed deer population.