Corn can be beneficial when supplied in the correct manner.
QUESTION: Should deer be fed corn year-round, or should it only be used in the fall/winter?
ANSWER: We get a lot of questions about how, when and if to feed corn to deer, so it’s worth revisiting from time to time. Corn can be beneficial to deer when provided properly, and harmful when not.
While energy demands are lower in the summer, a little corn won’t hurt. Supplements high in protein provide greater benefit, though.
In fall and winter, deer need energy, and corn can help. However, the sudden availability of corn can be dangerous. Deer have a very complex digestive system that takes time to adapt to new and different foods, especially high-energy foods like corn. That’s why providing a little throughout the year and adding more late, rather than shifting between feeding corn and not feeding, is a better approach.
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