During the winter months, when snow and ice cover much of the landscape, white-tailed deer face significant challenges in finding sustenance. Their diet shifts from the lush vegetation of spring, summer, and fall to whatever limited resources are available, often relying on woody browse. This includes twigs, buds, and bark from trees and shrubs such as oak, maple, and evergreens like cedar and pine. They also forage on persistent dried plants, mast crops from the previous fall, and any exposed green vegetation.
Understanding the nutritional content and availability of these winter food sources is crucial for wildlife management and conservation efforts. The availability of adequate winter forage directly impacts deer survival rates, body condition, and subsequent reproductive success. Historically, harsh winters have led to significant deer population declines in some areas, highlighting the critical role of winter food availability. Careful management practices such as habitat preservation and supplemental feeding in extreme cases can help mitigate these challenges.
