Lee,

Supplemental feeding can improve the average body weight, fawn production, and antler size of deer. However, there are also potential negative ramifications of feeding. In humid/wet areas bacteria and mold grows freely on most forms of feed. Some of these micro organisms can be very harmful to deer, turkey, and other forms of wildlife. There is always the possibility of a deer being sick and passing on that sickness to other deer through direct contact, saliva, etc., at feeders. Predators learn to hunt feeders, and non target critters, like raccoons, can literally remove more feed than the deer herd. Simply stated, a good feeding program requires a huge amount of effort and expense.

The potential of such problems can be reduced by literally cleaning feeders and moving them frequently, etc. However, I rarely see clubs go to the huge effort necessary to tend feeders correctly. Where possible, it is safer and less expensive to grow crops rather than pay someone else to grow, harvest, process, bag, and ship the crops and then you tend the feeders. With this said, there are several very successful feeding programs throughout the whitetails range. Before starting a feeding program, you should carefully consider all the ramifications so you can make a decision based on accurate information.

Growing Deer together,

Grant