What Do Deer Eat During Different Seasons?

Nom nom nom. Santiago Urquijo / Getty Images

What do deer eat? If you've ever spotted a deer nibbling on leaves or wandering through a meadow, you might have wondered about preferred deer foods. The answer depends on the season, the environment and even the specific species of deer.

Deer eat a wide variety of plant species, from tender shoots in early spring to woody plants in the winter. Wildlife biologists have studied their food habits extensively, finding that deer prefer highly preferred browse species like young trees, shrubs and green foliage.

But their diet isn’t just about plants; deer must also carefully select food sources to avoid secondary plant compounds that could disrupt digestion.

Seasonal Diet Changes

The deer's diet shifts throughout the year to match forage abundance.

In spring and summer, deer prefer green forage, including forbs, grasses, and the new growth of trees and shrubs. Soft fruits, mushrooms and tender shoots provide easily digestible nutrients that help them regain body weight after winter.

When cold weather arrives, food sources become scarce. Deer feed on woody browse, twigs, buds and hard and soft mast like acorns and soft fruits. White cedar and other species become crucial winter food types in good deer habitats, helping them survive when vegetation is limited.

Agricultural Crops and Food Plots

Deer activity often increases near agricultural crops, where they feed on corn, cereal grains and other cultivated food items. While feeding deer might seem beneficial, it can sometimes disrupt digestion if unnatural food types are introduced too quickly.

Many landowners establish food plots to supplement natural resources and provide foods deer generally prefer. These managed plots help ensure that deer meet their nutritional needs year-round, especially when natural food sources are a limiting factor.

How Deer Select Their Food

With their narrow snouts and specialized digestive systems, deer are highly selective feeders. They don’t just eat any plant; they target specific plant parts that are most nutritious and easily digestible. This selectivity helps them avoid secondary plant compounds that could otherwise be harmful.

While deer are prey animals that must constantly stay alert, their food habits play a crucial role in their overall diet and survival. Understanding what deer eat helps wildlife biologists manage natural resources and maintain healthy deer populations.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.