re: Better feed those deer--the drought has been tough

quote:

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Evidently briars and privet (the only thing green with the drought) weren’t very nutritious.

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Yes and no, neither one is likely their first choice but can be good browse and a big component of their diet, especially briar on typical pine landscape. Like anything else it’s just gonna depend on rainfall, everything grows when it gets water. If given the option deer will browse the new end growth on anything first, which is the most palatable and nutritious to them. If forced to they work down to the older leaves and stems, which becomes harder and less nutritious the drier it gets. When feeding over the summer it’s a night and day difference in camera traffic, have a good rain and they won’t touch the feeder for a week. It gets dry enough, they’ll empty it in three days.