Several food habit studies have demonstrated that when available, deer prefer acorns over just about any other fall food source (though I wonder if persimmons were included in those studies). It makes sense.
What acorns do deer love the most?
Just as acorns are the preferred deer food in autumn, white oak are the preferred acorns. Deer judge acorn taste, and subsequent preference by the level of tannic acid in the nut. White Oak acorns have the least tannic acid and the large rock oak the highest content.
Which persimmon is best for deer?
The mature female common persimmon tree in full sunlight can produce a lot of food for deer. Although deer browse the leaves and twigs of the common persimmon, the tree’s greatest benefit to deer and other wildlife comes from its orange, oval fruit.
Do deer chew acorns?
This is because whitetail are ruminants and they contain a four chambered stomach. This four chamber stomach allows the animal to gather a lot of food at once, such as acorns, and then chew and digest it at a later convenience, such as while you are hunting.
What is a deer favorite food?
Deer will primarily eat browse (woody portion of leaves and stems), forbs (broad-leaved plants), mast (acorns, apples, etc), and grass. Although these are the main foods deer like to eat, the quantity of these different foods differ throughout the year and the region you are hunting.
How long will deer eat acorns?
Deer will consume acorns as long as they are good. White oak acorns tend to rot to germinate by mid winter. Acorns from red oaks have a higher acid content which allows them to remain eatable longer. Some red oaks may remain eatable until early spring.
Do deer eat Fuyu persimmons?
Yes they do, although Japanese persimmons are not their more preferred choice. Japanese persimmons do not also fall from the tree easily which means the deer will likely have to reach for them, causing more damage.
How long does it take persimmons to produce?
Oriental persimmons bloom after five years but do not bear fruit until after seven years. Grafted trees bloom within two to three years. American persimmon may take several years to blossom and still not fruit for up to ten years. Both American and Oriental persimmons have alternate year blooming and fruiting.
Are persimmons deer resistant?
Yes, deer can and will eat persimmons. They can rip, stretch, and do everything possible to get a taste of these delicious fruits, especially during autumn.
What do deer eat after acorns are gone?
Greenbrier
On land I hunt, this thorny vine is by far the No. 1 food when acorns are scarce. The stems and leaves offer good protein and stay green year-round. Logged areas, fencelines, or other clearings are prime places to find greenbrier.
Do deer prefer white or red oak acorns?
white oaks
Deer prefer white oaks, which drop their fruit earlier than red oaks. Deer will gather under the oak trees and start eating the acorns they find on the ground or on low-hanging branches. Only after the white oak crops have been consumed will deer turn to their second-best choice, which is red oaks.
Do deer prefer acorns over corn?
When acorns are available, deer do prefer them over most food sources. Even in ag production areas, deer will leave corn and beans to feed on acorns. They do the same thing at The Proving Grounds. However, as soon as the acorn crop is gone, deer will readily use the corn and forage soybeans grown here.
What food can deer not resist?
Not only is deer corn highly consumed and well received by whitetails in almost every habitat across the continent, but it’s also one of the cheapest options for hunters. Corn contains several of these essential nutrients for whitetails that improve their health and ability to survive leading into winter.
What is the cheapest thing to feed deer?
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.
What foods are poisonous to deer?
Deer resistant vegetables in the nightshade family include tomatoes and tomatillos, potatoes, eggplant, and some peppers. Other plants toxic to deer : Rhubarb and cucumber leaf are toxic to deer. Many otherwise toxic plants do not harm deer because they are ruminants.
What acorns do deer not like?
Red Oak: Medium tannic acid level. Deer usually won’t feed entirely on red oak acorns because of their bitterness.
How do you hunt when an acorn is everywhere?
“Regardless of what oak subspecies exist in your hunting area, the best way to find hot stand locations is to go into the woods with your binoculars and look up rather than down,” Hamilton shared. “This will help you see which trees are producing the most acorns in a given year.
Why am I not seeing deer in my stand?
If you’re not seeing deer, you might be reaching your treestand too late and leaving too early. Get settled at least a half-hour before you expect deer to move. That means arriving before first light in the morning, and at least an hour before dark in the late afternoon. For evening sits, plan to walk out in darkness.
What is the best fruit tree for deer?
Deer will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, and mulberries. By planting a variety of trees, you can ensure at least one ripe food source throughout the season. Most fruit varieties are available in dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard sizes.
Do bears eat persimmons?
Raccoons, foxes, black bears, skunks, turkeys, yellow-rumped warblers, cedar waxwings, catbirds, American robins, pileated woodpeckers and mockingbirds eat persimmon fruits.
What is the lifespan of a persimmon tree?
The persimmon tree begins to bear fruit after 3 to 5 years and has an average life span of 60 years (Das et al., 2001).