What to Feed Deer to Get Them to Come Out

Deer seek sheltered areas to live and to raise their young. Homes out in the country or in rural or wooded areas are often located in the vicinity of places that deer frequent. In recent years, deer have been found in suburban areas as well, as more of the countryside has been developed into homes and businesses. You can feed deer fruits and grains in order to encourage them to come out and spend time near your home.

  1. Fruits and Grains

    • Provide deer with fruits and grains to encourage them to come closer to your home. Grain sources might include wheat, twigs, leaves, barks, and shrubs, which can all provide deer with the nutrients they need. Apples, berries, and the fruits and nuts of any vegetation that is natural to your area and not harmful to animals are also good sources of nutrients for deer. Deer are scavengers, so they will eat food tomatoes and tomato plants, carrot tops, strawberries, and other fruit and nuts you may have in your garden.

    Commercial Deer Food

    • Provide deer with commercial deer food that you can purchase from stores like Tractor Supply Company, Runnings and other outdoor and farm supply stores. Commercial deer food is a mixture of grains like corn, wheat, and barley, and fruits like apples, berries, and tomatoes.

      Commercial deer food is available year-round at these stores, but is found most often in the fall for home owners and property owners who wish to help local deer populations by feeding them during the winter.

    Considerations

    • Consider several things before deciding to feed wild deer: Deer are scavengers, and most herds move several times over the course of a lifetime. Deer are therefore used to adapting to different food sources. If you begin to feed deer, they will rely on you for nutrients. You must continue to feed them until they move on. Feeding wild deer will lead to a slight increase in the local deer population, as more deer will be able to survive and produce young. Feeding deer also removes them from the wild, and they might begin to feel comfortable encroaching on your property. No matter how often you feed deer, they will still be wild and you should not attempt to domesticate them.