Whitetail Deer Seasonal Nutrition Guide
Share
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 |