Deer Supplementation, Think Energy Not Protein

Spring is here and summer is fast approaching.  We often forget about the nutritional requirements required by whitetail deer while habitat conditions are at their best, but we can actually get more out of an effective supplementation program now than any other time of year. Spring is one of the most important times for antler development as we have learned that rainfall levels in April and May align directly with antler development in the fall. Put simply, the higher the nutritional plane is in April and May the more impressive the headgear will be in the fall.

Fawning season is right around the corner as well. Fawn survival aligns directly with the nutritional plane available for the doe. Lactating doe have the highest nutritional demand of any animal in the herd, including bucks growing antlers. Their energy requirement will increase as much as 170% during lactation. It is also important to remember that the better job we do feeding a doe while she is carrying a fawn the better that fawn will be at maturity. If we nutritionally stress a fawn at an early age they will never be as big as they are genetically predisposed to be. Fawn nutrition is often overlooked by most managers, but I have found it to be one of the most limiting nutritional factors in a management program.

Many managers opt to shut off their protein feeders during the spring due to above average range conditions. This is the complete opposite of what we should be doing. During this time of year, whitetail deer nutritional requirements are at their highest. Bucks are starting their antler growth cycle and the nutrient demands on bred doe are climbing every day. The major nutritional deficiency from a supplementation standpoint for bucks through the spring is a need for more energy in the diet to replenish body condition that was lost in the winter.

It is important to remember that body condition will always take precedence over antler development. Other nutrients like protein, minerals and vitamins are all important to deer from an antler development standpoint, but we have found that energy is often most limiting from a supplementation standpoint.  In a normal year, the percent protein often gets more emphasis as a silver bullet. During antler growth and lactation, providing a supplement that is at least 16% protein is more than sufficient to bridge the nutritional gap that may be lacking in native forage. Managers with intensive feeding programs typically utilize a 20% protein pellet starting in March and feed through the first part of September. During the fall and winter months 16% is typically used strategically to meet nutritional requirements which may be lacking.

Even with lush range conditions, deer will still utilize a palatable supplemental feed as a portion of their diet. Supplements that are provided should be just that, a supplement to good habitat and not a substitute. Often we look for ways to substitute what mother-nature is providing versus utilizing supplements that will complement good habitat. Deer will always prefer to consume lush browse and forbs over most pelleted supplements, but just like good habitat, it is all about diversity, supplements should be provided year round in order to achieve the desired results.

The major nutritional concern managers should be after is supplementing energy and improving the rumen environment so deer are able to get more out of their native habitat. We often forget that deer are ruminant animals that are designed to digest fiber. Considering this, the first thing any hunter or manager should consider is how a particular supplement will influence the rumen environment. Improper mineral ratios and high starch levels from grains are all pitfalls managers consistently fall into.

Grains like corn and many mineral supplements that are sold for whitetail deer often times can cause more damage than good when we consider what they are doing to the digestive system of a deer. While we will not typically see intake reach the point to cause mortality, there is often a negative response in the digestive system of the deer that is unseen. It makes us feel good to see deer consume the supplements we are providing, which is why many supplements that are sold are simply bait that deer readily consume that is doing more harm than good.  These types of “supplements” can cause some big changes to what is happening in the rumen of the deer which is where the majority of digestion occurs.  

Diversity of habitat is always first and foremost what any manager should consider from a management standpoint. Improving native vegetation, utilizing food plots and providing a supplement that is specifically designed to complement these should be the three main nutritional concerns of any manager in that order.  We often see this inverted and managers wonder why they are not seeing results from their management program.

The take home message is still simply this, all the feed in the world can’t replace good habitat.  There is also a fine line we have to walk as far as carrying capacity is concerned. The latest research is showing that we can carry higher numbers of wildlife on properties than most biologists have previously thought without negatively impacting biodiversity of habitat. Many managers often use feed to fill the gap but once a certain threshold is passed we see measurements like field dress weights and antler mass of mature bucks start to be negatively impacted. While supplementation will help relieve some pressure on native browse, not having sufficient forage to carry your herd could have many implications. In extreme cases we will even start to see doe not breeding due to poor body condition, lower fawn survival, and increased post rut mortality.

With feed prices at an all time high, it is important that you are providing supplements that are designed specifically for your deer and have the science to back it up. Now is definitely the time to switch gears and look at what we are doing from a supplementation standpoint and not wait until we see a deficiency. Remember, think energy that is coming from fiber and fat not starch and sugar and that the supplement you are using is specifically designed for whitetail deer.  Consistent palatability is crucial to achieve results and managers should provide the most palatable balanced supplements they can. Deer are able to select between forages by the effect that they will have on the rumen environment. Positive post-ingestive feedback is one of the main stigma that deer utilize to select their diet. Improved intake translates into improved body condition and mass on your bucks as well as increased fecundity for your doe.

It is hard not to get lost in what to supplement to use as most commercially available “deer feeds” all claim to be better than others. While most will provide some form of sound nutrition for your deer, the deciding factor should be consistent palatability and results.  Let your deer decide and offer several supplements and see which is preferred the most consistently. Most ruminant animals do not have what we would call nutritional wisdom, but whitetail deer are the exception to this rule as they are able to experience feedback from a meal much more quickly than other ruminants and associate that with flavors or the consumption of a particular forage or feed.

As managers, nutrition is one of the variables that we can greatly influence with today’s advanced deer feed supplements. Rainfall permitting we will all be knee deep spring and summer forbs, but maintaining your supplementation program is crucial to ensure your deer are getting everything they can from what the habitat is providing.  Feel free to contact us for a feeding evaluation to be sure you are getting the most out of your feeding program.