Summer:
* Forbs: These are broad-leafed, non-woody plants like clover, alfalfa, and wildflowers. They are high in protein and energy.
* Grasses: Grasses are a staple in the summer diet, especially when forbs are scarce. They are less nutritious than forbs.
* Leaves: Deer will browse on the leaves of trees and shrubs, especially in the early summer when new growth is tender.
Fall:
* Mast: This includes fruits and nuts like acorns, hickory nuts, and beechnuts. These are high in fat and calories, providing energy for the winter.
* Grasses: Grasses continue to be an important food source in the fall.
* Leaves: Deer will continue browsing on leaves, but the leaves are now tougher and less palatable.
Winter:
* Twigs and buds: When other food sources are scarce, deer will browse on the twigs and buds of trees and shrubs. This provides them with some energy and nutrients.
* Grasses and forbs: Deer will continue to graze on grasses and forbs, though these are often covered in snow and less available.
Spring:
* New growth: Deer will eagerly consume the new growth of grasses, forbs, and trees as it emerges.
* Grasses: Grasses continue to be a staple in the spring diet.
* Leaves: As new leaves emerge, they become a more palatable food source again.
General Feeding Habits:
* Ruminants: Whitetail deer are ruminants, meaning they have a four-chambered stomach. They regurgitate food from their first stomach to chew it again, further breaking it down and extracting nutrients.
* Selective feeders: Deer are selective feeders, choosing the most nutritious and palatable foods available.
* Nocturnal and crepuscular: They are most active at dawn and dusk, which allows them to avoid predators and find the best food sources.
* Water sources: They need access to water for survival, especially in the warmer months.
It is important to note that the specific diet of a whitetail deer can vary depending on factors like their age, sex, and geographic location.