Deer Eating Cedar

[DC219]

I saw a number of deer feeding on cedar branches this week. I've hunted a long time and haven't notice that before; at least not to the extent I saw it this week. Is it a common food source, or desperation?

 

[Ski]

I don't know I'd call it desperation but it's certainly not a preference. Sounds like there is no other woody browse available.

Was this public or private?

 

[knightrider]

No way of telling, it was something they needed is all we know. Ive watched deer leave a wheat and rye foodplot and go to town on just mouthfuls of leaves

 

[Popcorn]

I always believed that was a sign of a lack of suitable browse

 

[DC219]

I don't know I'd call it desperation but it's certainly not a preference. Sounds like there is no other woody browse available.

Was this public or private?

It's private and is next to a giant cornfield that wasn't cut until the past week or so. Three food plots, lots of oaks and available browse. Acorns weren't as abundant this year and the plots weren't as good as in better rain years, but overall plenty of food. The does we've killed were covered in fat.

 

[Popcorn]

It's private and is next to a giant cornfield that wasn't cut until the past week or so. Three food plots, lots of oaks and available browse. Acorns weren't as abundant this year and the plots weren't as good as in better rain years, but overall plenty of food. The does we've killed were covered in fat.

Not deer specific but I have read that some animals will seek out plants / food that may help with parasites. Cedar and its properties would certainly fit that description?!…

 

[Wrangler95]

These deer here have lived on grass this winter, killed a doe yesterday that had lots of fat on her

 

[Ski]

It's private and is next to a giant cornfield that wasn't cut until the past week or so. Three food plots, lots of oaks and available browse. Acorns weren't as abundant this year and the plots weren't as good as in better rain years, but overall plenty of food. The does we've killed were covered in fat.

Their stomachs require them to eat woody browse. Acorns, corn, and food plots are a minority luxury snack. Eating cedar when that other stuff is available isn't a surprise. Eating cedar if more palatable woody browse is available doesn't make much sense. Perhaps they ate something bad and need the cedar to calm their belly. Hard to say. I've only seen deer nibble on cedar when the hardwood browse line was above their reach so I'm just speculating on any other reason.

 

[ttf909]

I have cut down a cedar late winter before and the deer worked it over. The get buds on them late winter so I'm figuring they like them . Don't think it's lack of food as where this happened was a heavy ag area with lots of food , food plots.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Maybe trying to get something they aren't otherwise getting....

 

[Snake]

I watched a yearling with its mom once pick up a dried twig with leaves on it and eat every bite leaves twig and all like it was clover. Deer are just a pretty goat and you-know-what goats eat .