Taking pity on hungry deer
PROS AND CONS Many people are tempted to feed deer, but is this truly helpful? Manor Ink photo
But is OK to feed them?
By Kara Didrich | Manor Ink
Liberty, NY – The white tail deer is found throughout the United States and is quite prominent here in New York State. Many people feed these deer, especially during the winter months, but many people may not be aware of the pros and cons of this kindness.
Particularly during a hard winter, deer struggle to find food and, as a result, concerned people provide food for them. This can certainly improve the health of deer and can help them recover from the fall rut, can increase their nutritional balance, provide nutrition to grow horns and increase the ability to lactate for fawns. But while the intent maybe beneficial and innocent, it can do more harm than good to these animals.
In New York State, it is generally illegal to feed deer in the wild due to a number of associated concerns. Risks included in the feeding of these animals include serious intestinal and digestive issues, such as rumen acidosis or grain overload, which occur due to a deer’s inability to digest high carbohydrate meals such as corn, fruits and hay. This condition can lead to death.
Deer, like cows, goats and many other livestock, are ruminants, which means they have four stomachs rather than one. Due to their environment, they are not able to consume high carbohydrate diets. So if they eat too much of that sort of food at once, or aren’t eased onto it over time, they can develop digestive issues that ultimately cause their intestines or stomachs to explode, resulting in a slow and painful death.
Deer also have increased chances of contracting deadly diseases such as chronic wasting disease by interacting with humans who feed them. CWD is always fatal in deer.
RISKY This three-and-a-half legged female finds a cache of corn left by a well-meaning resident. Manor Ink photo
Also, a lack of fear of humans resulting from feeding causes deer to be more likely to be found in residential areas, a circumstance that adds to the 1.5 million deer killed in car-related accidents annually in the US. The practice of feeding also attracts predators such as coyotes, bears and mountain lions to residential areas. Finally, hunters may be tempted to use feed piles to attract deer.
Although there are pros to feeding these animals, there are far more cons. For the safety of both deer and people, it is advised to avoid feeding these animals and indeed you can be prosecuted for feeding them. Sullivan County, the only county in the state to make an exception, allows feeding between Dec. 15 and Mar. 15. Right now, though, county residents are prohibited from feeding deer. To learn more, contact the DEC at dec.ny.gov/about/contact-us/statewide-office-information.