Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6127656
01/16/18 06:50 PM
01/16/18 06:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,815 WI
WIMarshRAT
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,815
WI
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Usually when deer are not eating standing corn, there is a reason. Most likely, it has mold on it. The next likely reason is because someone close by is dumping shelled corn. Deer are lazy and will take the shelled corn first. Other reason is you lack the thermal cover close by.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6127671
01/16/18 07:05 PM
01/16/18 07:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,955 Central, SD
Law Dog
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trapper
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Central, SD
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Here is my understanding of the deer's winter digestion cycle told to me from a MI biologist that I did some wildlife clear cuts for many years ago. Their system turns from summer (green plants) to winter (Browse) and that takes a while to change over so feeding hay, corn during the tough winters do little as they don't get the benefits if they are in the browse stage of winter. He said even after a harsh winter and a warn spring arrives their system needs to change over so they are still at risk of malnutrition with green grass available because again they get next to nothing out of it until the chemicals to digest it switch back.
In the winter dropping a few aspens will do more for the deer/snowshoes then corn and hay, clearing some hardwood areas out of everything bigger then 3 inches while leaving the fruit/nut trees is the way the DNR did it back then. The regrowth would be thick for years until it thins itself out over the coming years.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6127692
01/16/18 07:14 PM
01/16/18 07:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,956 PA
elkaholic
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,956
PA
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I've seen both deer and elk dead from malnutrition with bellies full of corn. We had a few elk die a couple years ago that all they were eating was corn put out. It's a pretty horrible death.
Corn is like candy to them. Like stated above if they aren't in the standing corn there's something wrong with the corn, not the deer.
If you live in a farming area with a lot of cornfields they should be able to tolerate it in moderation pretty good.
Millions of trees die every year to print environmentalist publications
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Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6127804
01/16/18 08:33 PM
01/16/18 08:33 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548 Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
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Somebody is going to pop that one next year.
He's already been trained to come to feed.
Last edited by muddyriverdogz; 01/16/18 08:33 PM.
You only live once, so get over it!
Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
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Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6127820
01/16/18 08:43 PM
01/16/18 08:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,444 western mn
bucksnbears
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western mn
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There can be standing corn but if deer don't have good thermal cover very close by, they may not feed there.
swampgas chili and schmidt beer makes for a deadly combo
You have to remember that 1 out of 3 Democratic Voters is just as dumb as the other two.
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Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6127865
01/16/18 09:03 PM
01/16/18 09:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,955 Central, SD
Law Dog
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,955
Central, SD
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That's what the same biologist said they track the thermal index I believed he called it and that was a predicting factor on figuring stress/loss.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Considerations for Winter deer feeding
[Re: AJE]
#6129045
01/17/18 09:11 PM
01/17/18 09:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,338 Northern MN
Osky
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,338
Northern MN
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I've seen deer do awfully well on 14% horse feed mix along with alfalfa.
Osky
"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it" Jabless in Minnesota www.SureDockusa.com
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