Sagebrush and bitterbrush are important mule deer food in the winter. Mule deer like to eat the soft tips of shrubs and bushes. Shrubs are high in protein and have the nutrients mule deer need. Mule deer will also eat soft plants and some grasses.
Full Answer
What do Idaho's mule deer eat in the winter?
Even with good intentions during the colder winter months, supplemental feeding is often harmful for Idaho's mule deer and severely impacts their survival. Mule deer fawn in Salmon city limits in very poor condition, caused by eating unnatural foods like grain, corn, and bird seed.
What's wrong with Idaho's mule deer?
Mule deer fawn in Salmon city limits in very poor condition, caused by eating unnatural foods like grain, corn, and bird seed. BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Fish and Game is reminding Gem State residents not to feed wintering deer -- even with good intentions during the colder winter months, feeding mule deer is often harmful for Idaho's mule deer.
Do mule deer need feeding?
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.
Do winter feeding programs affect mule deer behavior and biology?
UNDERSTANDING MULE DEER AND WINTER FEEDING Fact Sheet #2 BACKGROUND- Supplemental winter-feeding programs, despite broad social appeal and acceptance, are expensive, can negatively affect mule deer behavior and biology, and save very few deer.
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.
What do Idaho mule deer eat?
Mule deer like to eat the soft tips of shrubs and bushes. Shrubs are high in protein and have the nutrients mule deer need. Mule deer will also eat soft plants and some grasses. Grasses make up the smallest part of their diet.
Is it illegal to feed deer on your property in Idaho?
So long as you aren't hunting off them yes.
What do Idaho deer eat?
During the summer, they eat mostly grass and other soft plants. They might also cause problems by eating farmers' crops. In the winter, they eat mostly shrubs. Willow, dogwood and chokecherry are some of their favorites.
What is mule deer favorite food?
Mule deer eat a variety of vegetation. They are known to eat mesquite leaves and beans, fairy duster, jojoba, cat claw, buck bush and other shrubs and grasses.
Can mule deer eat apples?
Think of apple as a candy treat for deer. They find them delicious, but it is hardly good for them to eat exclusively. Deer enjoy apples but have difficulty digesting them. In fact, if deer exclusively eat apples there's a good chance the animal will starve to death.
What can I feed my backyard 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. ... Acorns are another safe food source.
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.).
Are salt licks legal in Idaho?
In Idaho, it is illegal to hunt deer and elk over salt or other baits, but many hunters do it anyway. The sites, because they are so attractive to deer and elk, have a huge potential to spread disease as animals congregate and lick the block or the soil once the salt leaches into it.
Do mule deer eat sagebrush?
They rely almost exclusively on sagebrush or bitterbrush as their food source to survive the winter. Mule deer will eat a broad range of plants found in the sagebrush ecosystem.
Where are mule deer in Idaho?
Mule deer are widespread in the central mountains and southern deserts of Idaho, while white-tailed deer dominate the northern forested areas of Idaho.
Where is the best deer hunting in Idaho?
Idaho's highest whitetail densities are found in the Panhandle region. Most of the general seasons in the northern Panhandle close December 1st, allowing hunters the opportunity to hunt during the peak of the rut, which can make for a fun hunt.
Do mule deer eat sagebrush?
They rely almost exclusively on sagebrush or bitterbrush as their food source to survive the winter. Mule deer will eat a broad range of plants found in the sagebrush ecosystem.
Where is the best mule deer hunting in Idaho?
The best mule deer numbers are found southeast of the Panhandle region of Idaho. Archery season runs in September and most rifle seasons occur during October, with some exceptions. The terrain where you'll find mule deer ranges from dry, high-desert foothills to the rugged, mountainous, alpine zone.
Where are mule deer in Idaho?
Mule deer are widespread in the central mountains and southern deserts of Idaho, while white-tailed deer dominate the northern forested areas of Idaho.
How many deer are in Idaho?
History of White-Tailed Deer in Idaho Their efforts were not in vain and there are now an estimated 520,000+ white-tailed deer in Idaho.
What do mule deer eat?
Although mule deer will eat grass, they mostly browse, biting the leaves off of trees and shrubs, and nibbling flowers and leafy plants. “In most of the semi-arid and western United States, mule deer are the dominant large herbivore,” Hebblewhite said. As they roam and feed, mule deer leave behind seed-filled droppings that replenish native forests and grasslands, strengthening native ecosystems. In turn, mule deer are preyed on by mountain lions, bears, wolves, coyotes, and even humans, feeding carnivores further up the food chain.
What are the habitats of mule deer?
Map A illustrates the three most common mule deer habitats: conifer, aspen, and shrub-steppe. Map A also shows Game Management Units (GMUs) in black boundaries and larger-scale Population Management Units (PMUs) in grey boundaries. Map B shows estimated overwinter survival of mule deer fawns, and map C shows how much snow cover affected fawn survival. For maps B and C, green colors indicate winters during which mule deer are more likely to survive and orange to red colors indicate winters the deer are less likely to survive. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and snow data are from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor aboard the NASA Terra satellite. (Courtesy M. Hurley, et al., 2017, The Journal of Wildlife Management)
What is a popr in Idaho?
For the 2017 to 2018 hunting season, game managers reduced the number of mule deer doe licenses in southern and central Idaho game units to help the herds rebound. PopR is designed to be portable and flexible , and is also being used by South Dakota and Montana to manage game. The researchers expect more states to adopt PopR in the future. “That’s why PopR is pretty exciting,” Hurley said. “It’s our charge to understand population dynamics. PopR allows us to answer those ecology questions beyond just management.”
Do mule deer eat in the winter?
“They’re always going into winter in substandard conditions,” Hurley said. The quantity and quality of what mule deer eat is only one factor; severe winter weather introduces another complication. Although fawns are weaned by fall, they remain with their mother throughout the winter, learning to find food. Long, snowy winters deplete an adult mule deer’s fat reserves; slogging through belly-deep snowpack month after month can starve fawns lacking those reserves.
Do deer eat lichen in the winter?
In Idaho, even during the best of years, mule deer race against time to fatten up for winter. “They try to gain a lot of fat during the summer and fall to make it through the winter,” Hurley said. During harsh winters, deer resort to nipping lichen from rock faces or chewing bark off trees. Otherwise, adult deer survive the winter by living off their accumulated fat reserves. Fawns do not have that luxury.
Do deer live in steep country?
For winter snow conditions, the researchers encountered a challenge. “These deer live in fairly steep country,” Hurley said. “You have quite an elevation change within a one-kilometer pixel.” Snow does not blanket a mountain range uniformly, and snow cover varies dramatically from peak to valley, or from one mountain face to another. Lower-resolution data could not map such distinctions. The team tried several products before finding success with the finer resolution of MODIS 500-meter snow cover data, which captured subtler differences in terrain and snowpack.
When did Idaho fish and game commission develop a policy and process to guide the agency’s decisions to feed or not?
The agency’s policy and actions have evolved through decades of experience with winter feeding and is done with the best interest of Idaho’s big game populations. After the devastating winters in the late 1990s , the Idaho Fish and Game Commission developed a policy and process to guide the agency’s decisions to feed or not to feed big game animals.
Can fish and game feed in winter?
The desire to feed animals is natural, yet from past experience, Fish and Game knows it is a complicated decision. Fish and Game looks to natural forage to sustain big game populations. But when emergency conditions exist, winter feeding becomes an option. Four main conditions that can trigger Fish and Game winter feeding are:
What do mule deer eat?
Mule deer like to eat the soft tips of shrubs and bushes. Shrubs are high in protein and have the nutrients mule deer need. Mule deer will also eat soft plants and some grasses. Grasses make up the smallest part of their diet. Grasses do not have as much nutrition and are harder for mule deer to digest.
What is the habitat of mule deer?
Mule deer habitat has been changing from shrubs, aspen trees and soft plants to habitats with more grasses and pine trees. Cheatgrass is one grass that has been spreading across the west.
What is the most common animal in Idaho?
hat’s the most common large animal in Idaho? It jumps stiff-legged on all four legs to escape from danger. It’s the mule deer! The mule deer is one of two species of deer that live in Idaho. The other kind of deer is called the white-tailed deer. Scientists call the mule deer Odocoileus hemionus(o-do-koy-LEE-us hem-EE-own-us). Hemionus means half-mule. By looking at the mule deer’ s ears, it is easy to see why it was given this name. Mule deer have large ears that look a bit like mules’ ears. These large ears help mule deer listen for sounds of danger like mountain lions and coyotes. Mule deer males are called bucks. Bucks average about 250 pounds. Bucks grow antlers. The better the quality of food a buck eats the healthier he will be and the larger his antlers will grow. You cannot tell how old a buck is by the size of his antlers. Females, called does, are smaller. They average about 155 pounds. Mule deer babies are called fawns. Fawns are born in May or June with a brown spotted coat. The spots help the fawns hide in and around bushes and tall grasses. Fawns drink only their mother’s milk until they are about five weeks old. Then they start to nibble on plants. By the time they are 16 weeks old, they are fully weaned and only eating plants. Mule deer are found in many different habitats, from high deserts to coastal forests. In Idaho, mule deer like rocky, brushy areas, open meadows, pine forests, aspen tree groves and
How big do mule deer get?
Mule deer males are called bucks. Bucks average about 250 pounds. Bucks grow antlers. The better the quality of food a buck eats the healthier he will be and the larger his antlers will grow. You cannot tell how old a buck is by the size of his antlers. Females, called does, are smaller. They average about 155 pounds.
What is the smallest deer in the world?
The smallest deer in the world lives in the Andes Mountains. The pudu stands about one foot tall and weighs less than 20 pounds. The biggest deer in the world is the North American moose. A male moose can weigh up to around 1,300 pounds! One thing all deer have in common is that they are ungulates (UN-gyu-lits).
How many different types of deer are there?
hroughout the world there are about 40 different species (kinds) of deer. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. Africa has only one native deer, the red deer. Deer come in many sizes. The smallest deer in the world lives in the Andes Mountains. The pudu stands about one foot tall and weighs less than 20 pounds. The biggest deer in the world is the North American moose. A male moose can weigh up to around 1,300 pounds! One thing all deer have in common is that they are ungulates (UN-gyu-lits). All ungulates have hooves. They are also herbivores; they eat plants. Grasses, leaves and twigs are tough to eat. To help them digest plants, ungulates have stomachs divided into four different chambers or rooms. They nip off plants, but they don’t chew their food much before swallowing it. The plants go into the first chamber of the stomach. It is full of bacteria and other organisms that help break down the plants. Later, deer spit up the food and chew it again. Have you ever heard of cows chewing their cud? They are chewing food regurgitated from their stomachs. Once chewed, the food is swallowed again and passes into the second and third parts of the stomach where water is taken out. The fourth chamber is the one that is most like your stomach. It absorbs the nutrients out of the food. Having a stomach with many chambers not only allows deer to eat tough plants, it also helps to keep them safe. Many animals are at risk when they eat. Predators are more likely to see a deer eating in a clearing than hiding under a tree, so deer eat quickly. They nip off plants, chew them just a little and then swallow them. Once their first stomach is full, deer find a place to rest and hide. Now deer can fully chew and digest their food, without having to constantly look out for danger. Members of the deer family in North America include elk, moose, caribou, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Wherever you live in North America, you are likely to be near at least one member of the deer family. Idaho, however, is lucky. We have all five species living in our state!
Where do mule deer live?
Mule deer move, or migrate, to find food. During the summer and spring, mule deer may be found on mountain slopes where shrubs, flowering plants and grasses grow. Does with fawns may be found around aspen tree groves. Aspen groves have many flowering plants, called forbs. These plants are important for mule deer, especially nursing does, and the trees are great shelter for the fawns. During the winter, deep snow makes it harder for mule deer to get food. So, they move down out of the mountains into the valleys and south-facing hillsides. Here snow is not as deep and food is easier to find. Mule deer may migrate 50 to 75 miles between their summer and winter homes. Sagebrush and bitterbrush are important mule deer food in the winter. Mule deer like to eat the soft tips of shrubs and bushes. Shrubs are high in protein and have the nutrients mule deer need. Mule deer will also eat soft plants and some grasses. Grasses make up the smallest part of their diet. Grasses do not have as much nutrition and are harder for mule deer to digest. The most important habitat for mule deer is the summer habitat. If deer eat well during the summer and are nice and fat when winter comes, they usually can survive cold harsh winters. But if mule deer cannot find good nutritious food in the summer, no matter how good the winter habitat may be, mule deer will have a hard time surviving the winter. Keep an eye out for mule deer next time you are out in Idaho’s wild places. They are beautiful deer and lots of fun to watch, especially when they are bouncing away from danger. Mule deer can jump over a four-foot fence!
What is a mule deer?
Hemionus means half-mule. Mule deer are the largest of the two deer species in Idaho. Bucks average about 250 pounds and develop antlers that grow in a branching pattern. The better the quality of food a buck eats the healthier he will be and the larger his antlers will grow.
What is the most common deer in Idaho?
Tuesday, September 4, 2018 - 2:25 PM MDT. Mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus) are the most common large mammal in Idaho. The deer’s scientific name reflects one of the animal’s most recognizable features – its large ears. Hemionus means half-mule. Mule deer are the largest of the two deer species in Idaho. Bucks average about 250 pounds and develop ...
Why do mule deer move down?
During the winter, deep snow makes it difficult for mule deer to access food. So they move down from higher mountain elevations into lower elevation valleys and south-facing hillsides. Here snow is not as deep and sagebrush and bitterbrush are easier to find.
How to tell how old a buck is?
You cannot tell how old a buck is by the size of his antlers. Does are smaller, averaging about 155 pounds. Mule deer are found in many different habitats. They like rocky brushy areas, open meadows, pine forests, aspen tree groves and areas next to waterways.
How far do mule deer migrate?
Mule deer may migrate 50 to 75 miles between their summer and winter habitats. The most important habitat for mule deer is the summer habitat. If deer eat well during the summer and are nice and fat when winter comes, they usually can survive severe winters.
Do mule deer eat in the summer?
But if mule deer cannot find high-quality nutritious food in the summer, no matter how good the winter habitat may be, they may succumb to the harshness of winter. Keep an eye out for mule deer next time you are out in Idaho’s wild places.
What do deer eat in the winter?
But deer, like most critters, willingly take advantage of extra food sources such as hay, apples, grain and even birdseed. Once they find a reliable food source, a few deer can rapidly turn into a large number of deer. Invariably, some of the deer will go hungry and begin to explore the neighborhood in search of more food. They will sample whatever they can find and unfortunately, many ornamental plants are relished by deer. While a few hungry deer can damage the ornamental plants that your next-door neighbors have carefully cultivated, more deer can wipe out thousands of dollars worth of ornamental plants in your neighborhood. In addition, these deer will probably remain in the vicinity with fawns learning about this new food source from their mothers.
Why are deer attracted to towns?
As winter weather worsens, more and more deer can be attracted into town by residents who feed them. With more deer, more damage to ornamental plantings will occur. The likelihood of collisions increases and Fish and Game will be fielding more complaints from residents who would like the deer out of their yards or are concerned about hitting a deer while driving in town. This may create a situation where troublesome urban deer will be euthanized. And much of the blame will be attributed to the few residents who insist on feeding deer in their yards.
Can dogs chase deer?
Deer wandering in town are very attractive to dogs. Loose dogs usually find deer irresistible and will not hesitate to chase them. In their attempts to get away from a dog, deer can become tangled in garden fences, run through picture windows, or dart across the street in front of oncoming traffic. A deer-vehicle collision is never a pretty sight, ending in a mangled deer and a damaged vehicle. Unfortunately, people can be seriously injured or even killed in these collisions.
Do deer feed in Fish and Game?
And often, these complaints come from residents who have neighbors that actively feed the deer. While feeding deer may seem like a harmless activity, it creates a whole cascade of problems for area residents and the deer themselves.
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.
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.
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.
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 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, ...
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.
