Don't feed the deer

Wildlife biologists have some advice to help Utah's deer make it through the last few weeks of winter:

• If you're concerned about a group of deer, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office. If the DWR personnel you talk with aren't familiar with the situation, they'll send a biologist or a conservation officer to check it out.
• Keep your dogs inside your yard. If you decide to take your dogs out of your yard, keep them on a leash so they don't chase and harass deer.
• Don't disturb deer. Keep your distance from them.
• Don't feed the deer!

Feeding deer

Photo by Ron Stewart

DWR biologists are watching deer across Utah closely this winter. They're also monitoring how cold it is and how deep the snow is.

On Feb. 1, conditions in Cache, Weber, Morgan and Summit counties reached a point that biologists decided that the deer in those areas needed to be fed.

The biologists are feeding pellets to the deer that are specifically designed for their complex digestive systems. Sportsmen are helping the biologists feed the deer.

"We're watching deer across the state closely," says Craig McLaughlin, Wildlife Section chief for the DWR. "Parts of northern Utah are the only places where conditions have gotten severe enough that we feel the deer should be fed."

Deer can't eat most foods

Even though the DWR has started feeding deer, biologists are urging people not to feed deer on their own—in northern Utah or anywhere in the state.

McLaughlin says deer have a complex digestive system. Hay and apples are among the items that people often feed deer. "If these items are added suddenly to a deer's diet, and in large quantities, the deer can't digest them properly," he says. "Deer that eat foods given to them by people can develop diarrhea. They can also develop another digestion-related problem that's similar to people getting the trots when they visit a foreign country.

"Either of these can be a death sentence for the deer."

Deer in good shape

McLaughlin says deer across Utah built up good reserves of body fat this summer and fall. "The deer went into the winter in excellent shape," he says.

Deer that go into the winter in good condition can usually survive 30 to 60 days of severe weather.

"We appreciate how concerned people are about the deer herds," McLaughlin says. "That concern shows that people care.

"The best thing you can do to help the deer this winter is to keep your distance from them, and don't feed them," he says. "If everyone across Utah will do that, the state's deer herds should get through the winter in good shape."

Other reasons not to feed

Other reasons not to feed deer are available in this Emergency Feeding fact sheet — (PDF format).