How to Kill a Deer with Your Bare Hands

Did the title grab your attention? Then it did its job. This story is not what you think. I am an animal lover. I live in an area that is abundant with fox, coyote, hawks, small game, song birds, and whitetail deer. In fact, rarely a day goes by that I do not see deer, usually no more than twenty feet away.

The whitetail deer is, for the most part, a gentle, slow moving creature. Oh sure, when they have to be, they are magnificent sprinters and amazing jumpers. Yet, most of their time is spent slowly moving through an area, grazing on things we would think are inedible. As an example, I have often looked out of my window before turning in for the night, only to see a few of them dining on my box hedges, ornamental grasses, or my prized vegetable garden. In the winter, it is not uncommon to see next spring's buds chewed off of some my trees. The farmer up the hill knows how much they like corn. Oh yes...corn. This is where trouble can start.

Most people who see deer outside in the winter assume that the deer must be starving. When I shared pictures of deer eating my shrubs within three feet of my home, with snow all around, all of my well-meaning Facebook friends wanted me to feed them. "You need to buy some corn and put it out for them". They wouldn't even specify dried field corn. "Buy some frozen corn and put it out there in a pile...they love corn". That is partially correct, deer do not turn their nose up at free corn. This is the kind of thinking that can allow you to kill deer with your bare hands.

Deer have it rough. I won't pretend they don't. Unlike the rabbits, squirrels, and foxes, who find shelter in holes, dens, and hollow trees, deer have to pretty much stand there and take it. Rain, snow, bitter winds, and blazing heat leave deer with few chances to catch a break. They may take advantage of shade in summer and lie down in some bent over grasses during the worst in winter, but for the most part, they are always exposed to the elements. Add to that biting insects, parasites, and predators and what may seem like an easy life is actually one of constant struggle. It is the same with food. At times, farm fields are full of yummy calories. Other times, there is not so much as kernel of corn or a passed over soybean. As their world gets deeper and deeper into winter, there are less edible plants that they can reach. Hence, I get more visitors to my flower bed in February than I do in May.

Here's the thing...deer adapt to the availability of food. It's a gradual change for them. They cannot eat nothing but tree shoots and ground cover one day, and a bucket of corn the next. What keeps them alive in one season, might be toxic in another. Deer have starved to death with a stomach full of alfalfa that they could not digest (DeerFeeding.com, 2017). So when it is bitter cold in January, and you see some deer trudging through the snow looking so weak and fragile, you may think, I'll grab a bunch of dried corn from the feed store and put it out for them in a pile. Worse yet, you might think a trip to the frozen food section for some Birdseye frozen corn will be the ticket. This can actually kill the deer. If they have been living on twigs and nuts and suddenly gorge on carbohydrates, they can actually become extremely sick and die. It's called acidosis. So should you do nothing?

The good news is, you can feed the deer. There are different brands of pelletized foods that the deer will love and will keep them full and healthy. The secret is to do a little research, make some calls, and find out what is best for your area and the season you are in. I love deer. If I can give them a little help to make it through the lean months, I'll gladly do it. Just keep in mind, moderation is the key. It should be a little aid...a boost. It should not be their main food source. This is true for a few reasons.

First, deer that start to rely on you for food, start to RELY on you for food. They may walk long distances that expose them to more predators and, well, exposure.

Second, if you suddenly stop or move away and the new owners are not as interested in feeding them, they could end up starving worse than if they were left to their own devices.

Third, having deer around a lot can expose you to deer ticks or could be an invitation for predators to lurk about. Those predators could find your dog, cat, or chickens a lot easier to catch than a 200 pound deer.

We all love the critters. We all want to help. You can help. You can help the deer survive winter and feel good doing it. Just don't be lazy about it. Do a little research and give them what they need, not what you think they want.