The most common plant species consumed by mule deer are:
- Among trees and shrubs: Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush), Cercocarpus ledifolius (curlleaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus montanus (true mountain mahogany), Cowania mexicana (Mexican cliffrose), Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen), Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush), ...
- Among forbs: Achillea millefolium (western yarrow), Antennaria (pussytoes) species, Artemisia frigida (fringed sagebrush), Artemisia ludoviciana (Louisiana sagewort), Aster species, Astragalus (milkvetch) species, Balsamorhiza sagittata (arrowleaf balsamroot), Cirsium (thistle) species, Erigeron ...
- Among grasses and grasslike species: Agropyron, Elymus (wheatgrasses), Elytrigia, Pascopyrum species ( wheatgrasses ), Pseudoroegneria spicatum (bluebunch wheatgrass), Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), Carex (sedge) species, Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue), Poa fendleriana ...
What eats mule deer?
- The annual cycle of antler growth is regulated by changes in the length of the day.
- Mule deer females usually give birth to two fawns, although if it is their first time having a baby they often only have one fawn.
- Mule deer have no upper teeth, only a hard palate.
How to attract mule deer?
- 20-pound bucket: This attractant is shipped in a 20-pound bucket, which means you get more than enough attractant to use all year round
- The right ratio of ingredients: This deer attractant is made up of substances that have been proven to attract deer.
- Free of grains and molasses: Thus it does not encourage overeating making it useful for longer
What is the best food for whitetail deer?
[36] Douglas Fir: In the west, fir needles are commonly the best available food where whitetails, muleys, and blacktails take winter shelter. Deer seem to have a special fondness for red maple leaves.
What is a good deer feed?
What Is the Best Deer Feeder out There?
- Moultrie Feed Station – it has a 30 lb. capacity and is made of resistant plastic.
- Moultrie Pro Magnum Deer Feeder Kit | All Metal Housing – it has a battery indicator and vermin guard.
- Wildgame Innovations Pail Camo Steel Feeder – it has a 50 lb. capacity and is made of a steel material.
What can I feed wild mule deer?
Oats provide deer with a healthy mixture of fiber and carbohydrates without disrupting their digestive system. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables – including apples, grapes, cherries, pears, carrots, and snap peas – are eaten in nature by deer. Therefore, it is safe to feed deer these fruits.
What should you not feed deer?
What Should You Not Feed Deer? Wheat, barley, and corn should not be fed to deer. Unfortunately, deer are not sophisticated enough to know not to eat things that are especially bad for them. The high starch content in those foods can kill a deer because their stomach cannot digest and break down those starches.
Should you feed mule deer?
Do not intentionally feed deer. Attracting deer can attract predators. Respect Wildlife.
What can I feed mule deer in the winter?
Other good choices for winter forage are brassicas (greens and root bulbs) and sugar beets (greens and root bulbs). Both of these food types are favorites of deer because they are palatable and provide the nutrients necessary to help deer thrive during the winter and are particularly high in protein content.
Should I cut up apples for deer?
Items you will need Use more apples once you begin to see deer at the feeding spot. Cut the slices of apples into smaller pieces and place into a bowl.
What is the best food to feed wild deer?
What To Feed:Natural Food. If possible, it is best to feed natural food. ... Deer Pellets. Most farm feed outlets carry a specially formulated ration for deer or can tell you where it can be bought. ... Cereal Grains. ... Hay or Alfalfa. ... Fruit & Vegetables.
Is corn good for mule deer?
Many articles, presentations, and campfire conversations about deer nutrition state emphatically that corn is not good for deer. In a general sense, this is true because corn is low in protein (9%), has a poor mineral profile, and can cause digestive upset and metabolic problems.
Is it OK to feed deer apples in the winter?
You should try to load up deer feeders with apples near the end of winter. They'll benefit more from easily digestible foods during the winter months. Deer naturally eat apples, and apples are perfectly safe for use in a deer feeder. Apples provide deer with a sweet treat that gives them a large nutritional boost.
Is it OK to feed deer corn in the winter?
“The worst thing we can do for deer in a tough winter is shock their system by providing a new food, particularly a high-energy food such as corn or high-protein food such as alfalfa hay that they are not used to,” said Kip. “In most cases, it ends up being worse for the deer than if they had not been fed.
Is it OK to feed deer corn?
Using only corn or other fermentable carbohydrates as a primary deer food can be dangerous. Eating a large amount of corn can affect the deer' digestive process and cause a flush of lactic acid in their stomach. In most severe cases, this leads to the dehydration and death of the deer.
What is the cheapest thing to feed deer?
An inexpensive way to feed deer is with corn. Deer love corn and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. That being said, corn is not an excellent source of protein, which is essential for antler growth and the nursing of fawns.
What can you feed deer instead of corn?
Some good fall food sources include hard mast (e.g., oak acorns, beech nuts, chestnuts, hickory nuts, etc.), soft mast (e.g., apples, pears, persimmons, etc.), and agricultural crops (corn, soybeans, brassicas, cereal grains, etc.).
Why are mule deer selective?
Mule deer are highly selective foragers, at least in part due to their specialized digestive system. Specific types of bacteria in their rumen are required to aid in the digestion of naturally occurring foods.
How does supplemental feeding affect deer?
Supplemental feeding can reduce the winter range’s carrying capacity. If mule deer numbers remain artificially high through supplemental feeding, it can result in habitat degradation where feeding occurs creating a situation where these habitats support fewer wildlife. Both proponents and opponents of winter feeding have ...
Why is supplementation important for elk?
Supplemental feeding programs have been effective for other species like elk because their digestive systems are more adaptable to different kinds of forage. Supplemental feeding may increase predation and prevalence of disease and parasites. Winter feeding programs create artificially high concentrations of mule deer at feeding stations ...
What animals are in drought in Wyoming?
Due to the severe drought conditions in many parts of Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is warning people that regardless of winter conditions, there may significant be losses to wildlife this year. Mule deer and pronghorn are already in poor condition going into fall and there is simply not much for them to eat on their winter ranges. “This is one of the worst droughts in history, and according to some individuals who have lived here their entire lives it is the worst they can remember,” says Jason Hunter, Lander Regional Wildlife Supervisor.#N#Virtually all wild animal populations experience significant and dramatic fluctuations. People commonly make the mistake of thinking feeding mule deer is just as beneficial as feeding other wildlife. Individuals who advocate feeding mule deer are well intentioned, but feeding mule deer can cause problems for the animals and their habitats.
Can you feed mule deer in the winter?
Mule deer will likely still starve when fed in the winter.
Do mule deer survive winter?
However, even well designed and executed winter feeding programs do not significantly increase mule deer survival. It’s necessary to consider the biological impacts to the habitat, to other species, and to mule deer in the long-term.
What do deer eat?
Deer eat a lot of “woody browse”, which includes twigs from oak and elm trees, buds, and leaves. You can also help them out by cutting down some branches for the deer in your yard.
What Should You Not Feed Deer?
Sadly, many wild deer are killed each year by well-intentioned humans. Many people assume that it’s fine to give deer any leftover scraps they have on hand.
How does nature affect deer?
As harsh as it may seem, nature weeds out the weaker animals and controls the deer population on its own. When humans interfere by feeding them, more deer survive than their habitats can accommodate.
Why do deer compete?
Large groups of deer who are looking for an easy source of food are likely to compete over it due to their natural social hierarchy. The deer that come out on top are the stronger ones who don’t need the extra food to begin with.
Is supplemental feeding good for deer?
In many cases, supplemental feeding does more harm than good for wild deer. When homeowners start leaving snacks out in their yard for deer, there can be several unintended consequences. For example:
Can deer eat corn?
If it’s introduced too quickly into a deer’s diet, it could result in death. Deer would also need to eat more than they are capable of eating to get an adequate amount of calories from corn.
Is it bad for deer to trust you?
Although it can be rewarding to get wild deer to trust you by feeding them, it’s bad for their safety. Deer are naturally scared of humans – as they should be.
What do Mule Deer Look Like?
The Mule Deer is so named because of its large prominent ears, which are reminiscent of those seen in mules. They are also sometimes known as the Burro Deer.
Where are mule deer native to?
Mule Deer. Named for their large, mule-like ears, Mule Deer ( Odocoileus hemionus) are indigenous to western North America and can be grouped into two subspecies of black-tailed deer. Mule Deer are related to White Tailed Deer, a more widely distributed species native to North America, with key differences in range, ear shape, tail color, ...
How long does it take for a buck to grow antlers?
The antlers regrow quickly, reaching their full size within 150 days, at which point they shed their velvet. The antlers reach their full size when the buck is usually in there 3rd year. Mature bucks normally have a total of 8 tines, 4 on each antler, although it is common for bucks with fewer tines to be seen.
What is the color of mule deer's tail?
Tail. The Mule Deer’s tail is different from that of the White-Tailed Deer’s. Although it is quite long, it is not bushy. In color the tail is white, but has a black tip. The exact coloring of the tail can vary between individuals, with some animals having no black tip.
How long do deer live?
In the wild they have a maximum lifespan of 10 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 25 years. How long deer live is generally dictated by the environmental conditions of their surroundings.
What is a male buck called?
Males, which are commonly called bucks , are typically larger and heavier than the females or does.
Which bucks have the most success at harems?
Generally speaking the strongest and largest bucks have the most success at obtaining and holding on to harems.
Why do mule deer eat bacteria?
Mule deer use bacteria in their rumen to aid in the digestion of their food. Specific types of bacteria are required for specific types of food, therefore the type of food required for winter feeding of mule deer is highly limited, very specific, and must be properly formulated.
Why are mule deer selective?
Unlike elk, mule deer are highly selective foragers, at least in part, due to their specialized digestive system. As “ruminants,” mule deer rely on a very complex stomach system to aid in digestion. Mule deer use bacteria in their rumen to aid in the digestion of their food. Specific types of bacteria are required for specific types of food, ...
How do mule deer compete?
COMPETITION- Mule deer compete fiercely for food when it is limited. Consequently, the biggest, strongest, healthiest deer, such as dominant does, exclude the truly “needy” individuals (usually fawns) from the food. By placing a resource in a localized area, competition is increased and some deer get little or no food, while others gorge themselves and get too much. Too much of a supposed “good” thing can also jeopardize their survival due to complications from dietary shock. Starvation of wild animals is part of nature. Virtually all wild animal populations experience significant and dramatic population fluctuations. Human compassion makes people want to help mule deer with winter-feeding programs. Changing nature by winter feeding is a complex matter involving numerous issues to be considered before determining a course of action.
What are the behaviors of mule deer?
Behaviors important to mule deer survival include learned behaviors, such as foraging and migratory habits; both critical to the long-term sustainability of a population. Winter-feeding has the potential to disrupt both winter foraging activities and migratory patterns.
Why is it bad for deer to feed?
Uncoordinated or casual feeding efforts result in dozens of different foods being fed, while deer migratory habits, foraging behavior, and fear of humans are also negatively affected. Feeding can attract deer into landscaped yards and high traffic areas, causing damage to gardens and increasing vehicle accidents.
Why is winter feeding important?
Winter feeding in areas highly populated by humans may create significant liability issues in terms of attracting predatory animals such as mountain lions and domestic dogs.
Do mule deer die from starvation?
SOCIOLOGY- Sitting by and watching mule deer die from starvation is not something most of us are willing to do. Both proponents and opponents of winter feeding believe they have the deer’s best interest in mind. However, even well designed and executed winter-feeding programs often fail to significantly increase the chance of mule deer survival. Even if winter feeding could save a few deer from starvation, we must consider the biological cost to the habitat, cost to other species, and cost to mule deer in the long term. We must focus on the sustainability of the mule deer population for generations to come – not just one season. Another problem resulting from the initiation of feeding by private citizens is the desire to continue feeding at times of the year mule deer don’t “need” it but will choose to stay on it, further complicating the concerns outlined above and often providing food sources that may ultimately kill deer. Uncoordinated or casual feeding efforts result in dozens of different foods being fed, while deer migratory habits, foraging behavior, and fear of humans are also negatively affected. Feeding can attract deer into landscaped yards and high traffic areas, causing damage to gardens and increasing vehicle accidents. People who feed deer often ignore the real issue of availability and condition of natural habitats. They believe supplemental feeding, can adequately meet mule deer nutritional needs.
What do mule deer eat?
Mule deer are herbivores with a four chambered stomach similar to cattle, elk, and other ruminants. They digest food by regurgitating partially digested plants, re-chewing, and resting to allow for bacterial breakdown of plant material 1. Mule deer are not as efficient at digesting fibrous material as cattle and elk, so they feed on plants that provide concentrated and highly digestible nutrients. In order to take advantage of the most nutritious plants throughout the year, mule deer may change their diets seasonally. For example, during the spring and summer, mule deer select food items available during ‘green up’ such as herbaceous flowering plants and grasses 6. During the winter when herbaceous plants die off, mule deer switch to the nutritious buds and leaves of woody vegetation (browse) such as sagebrush, bitterbrush, mountain mahogany, and cliffrose. In the winter when food resources become scarce, mule deer may burn more calories in a day than what they can consume. During this period, loss of body mass can be substantial 5.
What are the habitats of mule deer?
Across their distribution, mule deer habitat is broadly categorized in seven ecoregions where mule deer populations share similarities in their ecological associations 1, those ecoregions are: Intermountain West, Great Plains, Northern Forest, Colorado Plateau Shrubland and Forest, Coastal Rainforest, California Woodland Chaparral, and Southwest Desert. Within each ecoregion, there are a wide variety of habitat types mule deer associate to. For example, mule deer of the western Great Plains region have a greater component of open grassland habitat than black-tailed deer in the Coastal Rainforest region. In general, areas with occasional disturbance and edge stimulates growth of grasses, forbs, and shrubs that are within reach of the deer. Consequently, wildfire, grazing, and forest management practices can have an enormous impact on habitat quality.
What is the difference between a mule deer and a whitetail deer?
Understanding their differences is important for proper identification. Although similar in many respects, mule deer and white-tailed deer are distinguishable in their behavior, biology, and appearance. For example, the most commonly noted difference between the two species is their antler configuration 1. Mule deer usually have small or missing brow tines with bifurcated antler branching, which means tines that split once off of a main beam, and then again toward the tips. White-tailed deer antlers usually have prominent brow tines, and tines that split once directly off the main beam. Another distinguishable characteristic between mule deer and whitetails is the appearance and color of their rump. Mule deer have a rope-like tail with a distinctive black tip, while whitetails have a more flat, triangular-shaped tail that is brown on the back surface, and a pure white bottom.
How big are mule deer?
Adult mule deer typically range in weight from 125-300lbs, standing around 3.3 feet tall at the shoulder 1. Mule deer are distributed throughout western North America from the coastal islands of Alaska, down the Pacific Coast of California to southern Baja Mexico and from the extreme northern portion of the Mexican state of Zacatecas, northward through the western Great Plains to the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the southern Yukon Territory 2. Subtle differences in mule deer occur depending on where they live. There have been as many as 11 subspecies of mule deer described 1.
What are the factors that affect mule deer?
The factors adversely affecting mule deer populations today include habitat loss and fragmentation, poor forage quality, drought, severe weather, competition with other ungulates, predation, disease, and poaching 2. Among ecoregions there are diverse environmental and climatic conditions, therefore each ecoregion presents different challenges to mule deer populations 1. For example, in the Southwest Desert ecoregion, drought is a serious concern and water availability is a key factor affecting mule deer populations. However, in the Northern Forest ecoregion, severe winters causing winterkill is often the most important factor impacting mule deer populations. A common thread among all ecoregions is habitat loss and fragmentation, which is commonly cited as the single greatest cause for declines in mule deer populations 12. To find current information on how mule deer populations are doing in your state, see the most recent rangewide status report published by the Mule Deer Working Group 13.
Where are blacktail deer found?
Black-tailed deer are a subspecies of mule deer found in the coastal regions of northwestern North America from California to Alaska. Black-tailed deer are categorized by two common mule deer subspecies: Columbian black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) and Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) 3. Columbian blacktails can be found in the coastal areas of northern California, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia, whereas the Sitka subspecies are found on coastal areas of northern British Columbia and southeastern Alaska. Black-tailed deer are differentiated by their body and antler size, color, geographical distribution, habitat preference, and even their DNA. Aptly named, the tail of black-tailed deer is black from tip to rump.
What do deer eat?
During the summer, they favor flowering plants. Overall, these deer eat a wide variety of vegetation, from fruits and seeds to grasses and leaves.
What predators are mule deer?
Predators rarely attempt to attack adult deer, but prefer to hunt old, young, or sick animals. This species’ most common predators are cougars, coyotes, and gray wolves.
How to tell if a deer is whitetail or whitetail?
While they look like their relative, the whitetail deer, this species lives mostly in the western United States. You can differentiate them from their whitetail cousin by looking at their ears. These deer have large ears, which look very much like those of a mule. Read on to learn about the mule deer.
How do mule deer run?
Stotting – Mule deer have a very unique way of running. While they can run the “traditional way,” they commonly run in a more unique fashion. These deer frequently run by stotting, which is where they hop along and land with all four feet at a time.
How big do mule deer get?
Description of the Mule Deer. This species is quite large, and some individuals can stand over 42 in. tall at the shoulder. Most weigh no more than 331 lbs. but some individuals have reached up to 460 lbs. There are 10 different subspecies, some of which vary greatly in size of color. Like their whitetail cousins, ...
Why is hunting important for mule deer?
Just like their whitetail cousins, hunting is an important population control for mule deer. Because human activity suppresses large predators, deer populations boom. This population boom causes disease and starvation. Of course, some subspecies have very small populations, and laws protect them from hunting for this reason.
How long does it take for mule deer to reproduce?
Reproduction of the Mule Deer. Female deer, called “does,” mate with several males, called “bucks.”. The gestation period is around 200 days long, and it is very common for does to have twins. Occasionally, does can produce up to 4 fawns per pregnancy!
What is a mule deer rifle?
A hunting rifle with caliber suitable for mule deer hunting (such as .300 Remington Ultra Mag).
How tall are mule deer?
They are between 3 – 3 ½ feet tall and about 4 ½ to 7 feet long, with the does being smaller than the bucks. They can easily be identified by their mule-like ears and the black tip on their tails.
Why use a trail camera for deer hunting?
Due to mule deer needing water every day , use the Best Trail Camera for Deer Hunting to track deer near water sources such as creeks and springs.
How far do mule deer jump?
Once startled, mule deer will jump nearly 15 feet in distance per leap in a fashion called “stotting,” so it is extremely important to remain calm, quiet, and relaxed once you have chosen your hunting spot.
How to use a buck's urine scent?
You can use this scent by creating a mock scrape in the ground where bucks frequently go and put the urine in the scrape.
When is the best time to hunt mule deer?
The rut (mating season) occurs during the winter months of November and December, so this is the best time of year to hunt mule deer.
Do deer sleep in thicket?
Mule deer are nocturnal, and they sleep in tall grass and thicket during the day and forage at night, making the first and last 2 hours of daylight the best times to hunt them.
Do dairy products work for deer?
Dairy feeds don't work either for deer. Commercial dairy feeds are formulated to maximize milk production, which has very different nutrient requirements than promoting antler growth. These feeds do not have the proper starch-to-fiber ratio or the trace mineral fortification required for superior antler growth.
Is horse feed good for deer?
Horse feeds are too starchy for deer. Horse feeds, especially textured feeds such as grain mixes, will be too high in soluble (starchy) carbohydrates for deer, inviting problems with acidosis and founder. The protein level also will not be high enough to provide for maximal antler growth.
Do sheep need copper?
Sheep are very intolerant of dietary copper, so sheep feeds and, traditionally, most goat feeds, contain very low levels of copper. They are also usually lower in protein than what deer will need. Deer, and elk, both have fairly high copper requirements. Feed meant for sheep will be deficient in copper and most other trace minerals for deer and elk, and will likely not provide enough protein for optimal antler growth.
