Switchgrass For Deer

Dan D. from Kentucky writes to ask about switchgrass. "Several neighbors have planted switchgrass for deer, and I read about it all the time. I understand that native grasses have a place in deer management, but they don't seem to eat it. Should I incorporate some switchgrass in my management scheme?"

Dan, you are right, deer do not eat switchgrass. But it is a very important component in any management plan and it does have value for deer and for your land. For your land, it has the ability to build topsoil in amounts about seven times more than fescue or other grasses. 

Switchgrass will grow to a height of 6 feet or more, so it makes super escape cover for deer. Does will also leave their fawns there all the time. I have a friend who owns property along a small stream that he manages for deer. He has food plots in that area as well, but the problem is that a public road runs along that stream and he had a poaching problem. So, he planted a 30 foot-wide strip of switchgrass along the road where he had food plots. Now deer come to the food plots and for the most part are not visible to anyone driving down the road.