Inexpensive Way to Feed Deer – Feeding Deer Corn Year Round

Having deer on your property is truly bliss, regardless of whether you enjoy them for viewing or hunting purposes. But feeding your deer throughout the year poses some troublesome questions. How much to feed them? When to feed them and more importantly, is feeding deer corn year round safe? Let’s take a look at an inexpensive way to feed deer on your property.

Wild deer munch on a wide array of foods in their natural environment. Since they are herbivores and grazers, they will eat most types of fungi, corn, fruit, nuts, grass, and even leaves. Although deer will survive through winter without supplemental feeding, you might want to feed the deer on your property to maintain a healthy population or to encourage larger antler growth.

Feeding Deer Corn Year Round

An inexpensive way to feed deer is with corn. Deer love corn and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. That being said, corn is not an excellent source of protein, which is essential for antler growth and the nursing of fawns. Corn generally has between 7 to 10 percent protein but it’s packed with carbohydrates which are essential during wintertime.

If the deer on your property are already used to eating corn in the long winter months, then you should have no problem feeding deer corn year-round in the areas they frequent. One of the easiest ways to get your corn in the right place is with the help of commercial deer feeders.

These deer feeders are built to last and keep your corn safe from vermin. If you want to place it in a remote area, you can get a large deer feeder with a 300 lb. capacity – this means you will have to make less frequent trips to refill it.

What to Feed Deer Instead of Corn

Now, let’s take a look at what to feed deer instead of corn. If you want to supplement your deer feed with other protein-rich foods, there are plenty of inexpensive options available. Oats, dried fruits, nuts, and especially walnuts are great choices for making your own deer feed.

You can buy these items in bulk and mix them with your corn to improve the protein intake of your deer. Another great source of protein is beans – beans are a great way to help deer recover from the rut and winter months.