Benefits of Quality Deer Nutrition
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Providing deer with year-round supplemental nutrition can have many benefits, including:
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Fawn healthDoes that have access to high-quality food during winter and early spring can produce healthier fawns.
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Antler developmentBucks that have access to high-quality food during winter and early spring can develop larger antlers, which can give them an advantage.
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Stress recoveryA mix of protein, corn, and beans can help deer recover from winter and rut stress.
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Genetic potentialDeer that are in peak condition in the spring have the best chance of reaching their genetic potential.
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Herd trackingTrail cameras on supplemental feeders can help track which bucks have survived the hunting season.
Some say that summer is the most important time for proper nutrition, as it's when antler development and fawn growth take place, and does are recovering from fawning. Others say that a steady diet of supplemental protein can give deer energy in the winter and protection in the summer. A balanced diet that includes corn, oats, soybeans, and manufactured pellets specifically formulated for deer is recommended.