Whether you simply want to feed the deer that come into your property or you want to create a small-scale reserve to photograph and observe them, there are a few steps you need to follow to successfully pursue this goal.
Steps
Step 1. First make sure it is legal to feed wild animals in your Region
Local laws probably regulate the provision of food to wildlife.
Step 2. Find a place where the deer can come close to eat
This should be a relatively quiet environment away from hazards such as highways or fences.
Step 3. Choose the foods to give to the deer
They generally eat some fruits and grains and usually prefer those foods that are readily available in your area. Here are some possible examples:
- Corn.
- Apples.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Sometimes in some locations you can also find commercially prepared products to feed them.
Step 4. Put some sort of manger, if you are going to give them grain, so that it stays dry, free from mold and insects
You can find on the market barrels to hang suspended on a tree or tripods with a motorized mechanism to insert measured quantities of food, but a simple drinking trough, with a lid on it, will do just as well when the deer get used to it. You can sprinkle fruit and other nutrients on the soil, but don't overdo it, as they tend to rot quickly.
Step 5. Consider creating a specific plot of land just to grow food to feed the deer
This will reduce the daily maintenance effort that your power supply project requires. You can plant legumes, millet or other crops that deer like during the summer, winter rye, or oats in the winter, if these are appropriate crops in the region you live in.
Step 6. Observe the deer to determine their eating habits, such as how often they come to feed and how much they eat
You can thus organize your feeding schedule and the amount of food to adjust your plan.
Advice
- It is also a good idea to create a space where they can put the salt they can lick, or plant a block of mineral in the ground near the place where they feed.
- Do not be afraid.
- If deer don't like the food you provide them, try something different.
Warnings
- Getting deer used to losing their fear of humans can put them in danger.
- Encouraging deer to feed near your home can cause damage to your garden or lawn.
