A list of common natural foods eaten by northern white-tailed deer in Winter
By Matt Ross, Whitetail Stewards, Inc.
- Dry oak leaves (Quercus spp.)
- Acorns (Quercus spp.)
- Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)
- Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)
- Multi-flora rose (Rosa multiflora)
- Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
- Poison-ivy fruits (Toxicodendron radicans)
- Striped maple (Acer pennsylvanicum)
- Red maple (A. rubrum)
- Mountain maple (A. spicatum)
- American mountain ash (Sorbus americana)
- Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium)
- Wild-raisin (V. cassinoides)
- Black haw (V. prunifolium)
- Maple leaf viburnum (V. acerifolium)
- Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
- Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)
- Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
- Paper birch (B. papyrifera)
- Alder (Alnus spp.)
- Common spicebush (Benzoin aestivale)
- Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
- Canada yew (Taxus canadensis)
- Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Common juniper (J. communis)
- Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
- Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
- Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
- Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
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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