A Year of Whitetail Deer Nutrition

A Year of Whitetail Deer Nutrition

Trophy deer aren't born, they're made. If you're already taking the time to feed your local game populations, go the extra few steps to feed them what they need to be exceptional.

Spring

Coming out of winter, most animals are lean and hungry. Spring brings the opportunity to replenish energy reserves and acquire more difficult-to-find vitamins and minerals. Plus breeding season and fawn rearing are both just around the corner.

Spring feeding should be rich in protein as well as vitamins to provide deer with building blocks for muscle development, antler growth and reproductive health.

Summer

The summer months provide the most opportunity for what qualifies as easy living in the deer community. Vegetation is at its most lush. And depending on your area agricultural crops might have started to take off.

Summer feeding should be rich in vitamins A and E, as well as continued contributions of protein and fat for antler growth in bucks, as well as lactation in does.

Fall

With winter on the horizon, it's time for deer to start building up fat reserves. Their search will take them to wild sources of food to forage and browse, leftovers from agricultural harvests, and of course fall food plots.

Fall feed should be high in protein, fat, and sugar (which is converted into fat) to help deer bulk up.

Winter

In the wilderness world, winter is about one thing: survival. During this time deer will search for very limited natural resources. And to make up any shortfall, they'll slowly burn up body fat reserves.

Supplement their meager foot intake with high-energy forage, protein supplements, and bonus fats to maintain body condition and support pregnant does.

Game management is an all-year adventure, and a big part of it is nutrition. Sportsman's Guide has the right feed, food plot, and supplement options to fit the bill for any new hunting ground. Make your plan, stock up on nutrients, and ensure your deer population gets the best tools to survive and thrive.