Whitetail Deer Seasonal Nutrition Guide

This comprehensive resource dives deeper into the specific needs of deer throughout the year and provides actionable strategies to help you optimize herd health, enhance antler growth, and maintain peak condition season after season.

Criteria Spring
(Recovery & Growth)
Summer
(Fawning & Antler Development)
Fall
(Pre-Rut & Rut Preparation)
Winter
(Post-Rut & Survival)
Primary Focus Recovery from winter stress and weight loss Nutritional support for fawns and antler growth Energy reserves for rut activities and winter prep Survival and recovery after rut
Energy Needs Moderate—focus on replenishing energy stores High—supports lactating does and growing antlers High—supports buck stamina and fat storage Moderate—conserve energy to survive cold
Protein Requirements 12-16% for muscle recovery and tissue repair 16-20% for fawn growth and antler development 12-16% for stamina and weight gain 8-12% to maintain basic body condition
Fat Requirements Low to moderate—weight gain begins slowly Moderate—energy demands increase with lactation High—essential for energy storage before rut High—necessary to sustain body heat and energy
Mineral Needs Calcium, phosphorus for skeletal recovery Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium for antlers and milk Sodium and trace minerals for hydration and stamina Reduced—focus on energy sources
Pest & Parasite Concerns Moderate—ticks and mites reappear as temperatures rise High—warmth increases pest activity High—parasites weaken bucks during the rut Moderate—parasite activity decreases in colder temps
Feeding Patterns Browsing green shoots, forbs, and fresh vegetation Grazing high-protein vegetation and supplement feed Heavy feeding on carbs and protein (mast, food plots) Browsing woody browse and winter forage
Key Nutrition Sources Early growth vegetation, food plots, supplemental feed Protein feed, summer food plots, legumes, forbs Protein-rich feed, mast crops, grains, supplemental feed Woody browse, mast remnants, supplemental feed
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