Group 10. Grasses and grass-like plants Forbaceous plants Weeds Browse Leaves and twigs of...
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Transcript of Group 10. Grasses and grass-like plants Forbaceous plants Weeds Browse Leaves and twigs of...
Whitetail Deer Nutrition and Habitat
Group 10
Forage Categories
Grasses and grass-like plants Forbaceous plants
Weeds Browse
Leaves and twigs of woody plants Fruits of woody plants
Forage
Just because it’s green does not mean its good deer feed
Grasses such as coastal bermuda offer little nutrition to Whitetails
Grasses High fiber content Less digestible to deer
Forage
Only a small portion of the diet is grass
Grass intake occurs in early spring and late winter
New emerged or developed grass shoots are more digestible
Exceptions Wheat, oats, rye, and ryegrass and other
grain plants
Forage
In all areas deer prefer forbaceous plants (weeds) Highly nutritious and easily digestible Nutritional value depends on weather or
environmental conditions Weeds are usually high in protein Up to 35% protein High in phosphorous and some vitamins
Forage
Browse is the base in most deer diets Includes the leaves and twigs of woody
plants Lower in quality than weeds but
more dependable and available Types of woody plants
Determinant Indeterminate
Woody Plants
Determinant Growth usually occurs in spring and fall After original growth, young, tender
shoots appear Indeterminate
Growth is continuous Usually affected by rainfall New growth after rain period
Nutrition
Mast – hard and soft fruits of woody plants Includes acorns, pecans, berries, and
grapes Seasonable Counted on for supplement to diet
Nutrition
Mast is usually important in colder months
Used as an energy source Acorns
High in fats and carbohydrates Low in protein
Corn Attractant Energy source
Supplemental Feeding
An attempt to supplement the quality and perhaps the quantity of available native forages
Shouldn’t be intended to be replace native forage
Popular with hunters and land owners
Basic Components
Protein Energy Phosphorous Calcium
Basic Components
Even in well managed herds, some component may be the limiting factor in reaching potential
Supplemental feeding helps reduce the negative impact of limiting factors
Population control Habitat management
Supplementing
Feeding Food plots Mineral supplements
Feeds
Feed requirements are different than those of other animals
Corn High in energy Low in protein (7-9%) Low in certain amino acids Useful when carbohydrates and fat are
needed Consumed late fall and winter
Feeds
Pellet Feeds High in protein (16%+) 2:1 calcium: phosphorus ratio Essential vitamins and other nutrients Carbohydrates and fats are added to
supply energy Pellets don't stand up to weather Feeders
Should provide dry storage Should not limit access – especially to
bucks Reduce possibility of spoilage or pest
problems
Food Plots
Plant species should match climate and soil
Adjust soil for pH and nutrients (NPK)
There is no one single plant variety for every situation or climate
Avoid Varieties claimed to grow in all
conditions Varieties promising to solve all deer
nutritional problems
Choice of Plant Species
Choose plants and plant them based on their best growing season potential
Determine what season is most critical for nutritional stress
Make sure feed provides correct nutrients when needed 16% protein 2:1 Ca: P ratio
Planning of Food Plots
Cost consideration Monitor cost of product Competition with native vegetation Cost of controlling undesirable
vegetation
Plantings
Cereal grains and legumes can be combined
Legumes such as alfalfa should be planted in areas where adequate water is available
Cereal grains and clovers have less chance of winter kill
Summer Plantings High yield potential Highly nutritious In dry weather they do not produce
vegetative growth because they are usually eaten quickly
Plantings
Peas In favorable years plants mature and
then deer consume entire plants rapidly
Usually a short-term feed Summer clovers and legumes
Type depends on geographic region Alyce clover, sweet clover, and red
clover are good choices
Planting
Divide food plot in half Half cool season Half warm season
Include a year-round supplemental food
Plant a small plot test to assess varieties and management
Always soil test
Mineral Supplementation
Large quantities of salt are not healthy for deer
Critical supplements are calcium and phosphorous
Deer are not likely to lick mineral blocks
More likely to lick loose mineral off the ground
Presentation by: Craig Wisehart, Justin
Smith, John Loven, Robert Brown