A list of common natural foods eaten by southern white-tailed deer in Winter

By Matt Ross, Whitetail Stewards, Inc.

• Aster (Aster acuminatus)
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
• Pussytoes (Antennaria spp.)
• Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)
• Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
• Sedge (rosettes) (Carex spp.)
• Wild onion (Allium spp.)
• Falsegarlic (Nothoscordum bivalve)
• Old-man's beard (Clematis drummondii)
• Herbaceous mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
• Nailwort (Paronychia spp.)
• Catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii)
• Red cedar  (Juniperus spp.)
• Redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotti)
• Cottonwood (Populus spp.)
• Willow (Salix spp.)
• Boxelder (Acer negundo)
• Gooseberry (Ribes spp.)
• Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)
• Common chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
• Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
• Broomweed (Gutierrezia dracunculoides)
• Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens)

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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