A list of common natural foods eaten by northern white-tailed deer in Summer

By Matt Ross, Whitetail Stewards, Inc.

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
• Tick trefoil (Desmodium spp.)
• Lespedeza (Lespedeza spp.)
• Everlasting (Antennaria spp.)
• Wild carrot (Daucus carota )
• Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.)
• Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
• Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
• Dog-tooth violet (Erythronium americanum)
• Spring beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)
• Trillium (Trillium undulatum)
• Meadow-sweet (Spiraea latifolia)
• Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
• Black raspberry (R. occidentalis)
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)      
• Blackberry (R. allegheniensis)
• Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)
• Greenbrier (Smilax spp.)
• Strawberry bush (Fragaria spp.)
• Grape (Vitis spp.)
• Rose (Rosa spp.)
• White ash (Fraxinus americana)
• Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
• Red maple (A. rubrum)
• Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
• Yellow birch (Betula lutea)
• Basswood (Tilia americana)
• Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
• Choke cherry (Prunus americana)

It's important to note that scientific evidence has recorded the consumption of well over 700 species of plants nationwide by white-tailed deer, and the above regional lists only represent some of the preferred species; consumption of each item varies with soil type, timber stand condition, and land use, and may only comprise a small portion of any individual deer's diet. The amount of plant utilization depends on its regional availability, the preference of the deer in that particular area, and the types and availability of other foods.

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