[Stoned Cold]

I had NO idea where to put this, so move it elsewhere if you see fit.

So I've got a family of deer that basically lives in my field. The problem is that we've had so much snow, they're hardpressed to find any snacks. I just had to yell at one from about 25 feet away, to get outta the road and quit actin' stupid. I usually shake apples off the treetops for em, but their pretty much gone as well. My question here is what kind of foods do/will these guys eat, that I may have in the cupboard? I'm not TOO excited about buyin any food for them, but if I must, is there an inexpensive treat I could get them?
Thanks much for any suggestions, these ignorant ****ers are gonna get run over tryin to find grub, I gotta hurry!

[Insomniac]

I know there are quite a few of commercial feeds out there, but they might be expensive. My family has always bought certain seeds to grow out plants for them (such as alfalfa..etc) You could always buy a bag of apples at the store to throw out for them.. A Salt Lick could also be bought, but I do not know about the nutritional value behind them. Just try some random food and see what they like.

[Stoner4Life]

there is a deer kibble for feeding them available either through your local hardware stores or call your DNR (dept. natural resources) and ask them where to find the proper feed.

as far as stopping them from being killed? That's a tough one because as soon as the deer realize that you're putting out feed they'll cross the road (assuming they habitat on the other side of road also) constantly to get to your place to eat, I've seen huge amounts of deer kills/hits in front of two homes that put out feed for winter food. even if some deer get hit by your home due to the feeding you can be sure that survivng deer will be healthier due to your feeding. also your DNR will tell you if they really need to be fed at this time, they may be going to the roadside for a 'salt fix' from road salting bro, the woods might still be full of the food they eat. call the local DNR & get the real scoop on feeding. survival of the fittest has its place even in times of scant food.

best of luck

[Jack D Ripper]

I have over 10 whitetails that visit my feeder every night, and even saw a 10 point buck a couple days ago!! (hopefully he'll leave his sheds out back for me)

my feeder is basicly a 3' x 3' mesh table with a bunch of rotting food in it and an A-frame roof over it.

I put a salt lick on the ground (the taste will be in the soil for years) and fill the feeder with feed corn (like $5 for 100 lbs.). I also throw any old veggies and apples into it when they start to go bad. The deer love me. =)

[George Hayduke]

don't feed them.

if they can't get through the winter themselves thats a part of nature.

we have enough deer already.

[JJScorpio]

Are there any farms nearby that you could pick up a few bales of hay from? You could also go to a feed store and pick up corn but that can get expensive.

Remember, once you start feeding them others will show up, and if you don't keep feeding them they will be worse off because they will be bunched up. You can also go out and cut down some evergreens for them to nibble on....

[mudvaynefan]

Id check cabella dot kom, any hunting\conservation websites, they make good, attractive deep feed, big bags.

The only way to really lure them away is to bait a spot over and over, most hunters\game reserves use a auto feeder to spread the pellets.

Takes a minute or 5 to really change thier behavior, they are going where they rembember food is, so You have to give them a new place to remember.

Household food is a little pricey in the amounts you will need to truly lure them away. Try some of the other cures, maybe predator urine?

They sell alot of that synthentic smell stuff on line, but theres not cheap way to keep them out if the scent thing doesnt work.

Get a dog that isnot afraid to chase some deer, even if he isnt an attack dog. sometimes shiny, or noisy objects can deter for small time, you may be able to use alot of little fixes to make them un comfortable, then scare them away with a dog or something.

Really, the only way to ensure your crop is to start eating deer meat.

Or tall fence, maybe horse wire.

Horse wire will work, provided they are afraid the first time toucing it, ant dont learn to jump over it.It doesnt hurt them, Im not for hurting animals.

I dont have a problem in hunting one for food though.

Been hunting for years, and my gratitude and respect for the animials that feed me are un measurable.

Thats a tuff one, but deer feed for about 2 months away from your patch will get them thru these times, maybe they will forget your spot. I doubt it though, more food elsewhere.

[Stoner4Life]

Originally Posted by George Hayduke

don't feed them.

if they can't get through the winter themselves thats a part of nature.

we have enough deer already.

mostly I agree, but there are winters that require some deer feeding to keep the herd healthy bro. in northern MN we have brutally cold winters with extremely deep snow in some places, the winter kill in these spots decimates the herd. This might be fine if we didn't want to hunt them in these areas but we do & so we must feed them. When the snow is deep not only do they starve but they are preyed upon by wolf & coyote to the point of taking a decade to return the population. This has occured only 3 times in the last 20 yrs I'm in MN.

right now we have so many deer around here that my big game license allows me 5 deer, one buck & four doe.

[Stoned Cold]

Wow! Thanks for your responses everyone! Ummmmm....where do I start?....lol

Thumbs up to the salt-lick!
My problem is that the deer move from the field behind my house, towords the other side of the street, where they'll find nothing, but cars.
Generally I like to feed them no more than can grow on my property, but they got a pretty raw deal this year between mother nature and the local developements pushing them from their original grounds into refuge in MY yard. They're somewhat surrounded at this point, so quite honestly they wouldnt live much longer than I would condone/support.
I definately try to let nature take its course, but in the same breath, it is MY nature to help these disadvantaged creatures, whom have been driven from their homes, by the same people who blatently disregard/disrespect nature on the regular. I'm not a hippy, but these deer look to me as the only human being they know, who gives the slightest sh*t, and as a 'human being' I feel partially responsible for destroying their/our home.

Oh, and another thing; how many deer you ever heard of that DIDNT TOUCH a crop, after being simply threatened?....lol....I'm so serious; I told em there would be some harsh consequences if I found ANY damage to my crops and apparently it worked.....

Thanks again peeps, I gots to fly!

[D Rock]

I dont hunt but live in NC and am surounded by rednecks(nooffense anyone they are proud to be called a redneck around here. They also like to seewho's truck can stay the dirtiest the longest. Anyway all I ever hear them talking about is corn. You can get one of those huge bags of Deer corn at walmart or any hunting store for under 10 dollars. Also if you leave your scent around or pieces of clothing or bed sheets but then you would be attracting attention to your grow site which im sure you dont want to do So I say buy some corn. Or a Rifle.