Quick Answer
Deer adjust to food availability from frost by initially increasing their daily energy needs to compensate for the reduced digestibility of cold-stressed forages, and then shifting their diet to higher-energy food sources such as winter-hardy browse and agricultural crops.
Changes in Digestive Efficiency
When temperatures drop below freezing, the digestibility of forages decreases significantly. This is due to the breakdown of cell walls and the reduction of nutrient availability in cold-stressed plants. As a result, deer may need to eat more to meet their daily energy needs, which can be as high as 20-25% more than during the warmer months. To compensate, deer will often shift their diet to include higher-energy food sources such as winter-hardy browse, including shrubs like cedar, cypress, and pine.
Dietary Shifts
As the frost sets in, deer will begin to select and concentrate on higher-energy food sources, such as agricultural crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. They may also target winter-hardy browse, including deciduous trees like oak, beech, and maple. By doing so, deer can maintain their body weight and energy reserves during periods of reduced food availability. In areas with significant agricultural activity, deer may also target crops like alfalfa, clover, and other legumes, which are high in protein and energy.
Hunting Implications
Late-season hunting often focuses on areas with significant concentrations of winter-hardy browse and agricultural crops. Hunters can increase their success by targeting areas with known deer trails and rubs, and by using tactics like stand placement and scent control to get close to their quarry. By understanding the dietary shifts that deer make in response to frost, hunters can gain a strategic advantage and increase their chances of success in the field.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.