Do sika deer have preferred food sources during different seasons?

Spring Foraging

In the spring, sika deer in Maryland primarily feed on lush vegetation, including grasses, clover, and dandelion. Studies have shown that they can eat up to 3-4% of their body weight in dry matter per day during this time. This is when they also tend to exploit newly emerged growth on trees and shrubs, especially species like red maple and blackberry.

Browse Selection in Winter

In the winter, sika deer in Maryland shift their diet to more woody browse, including twigs and leaves from trees like white oak, red oak, and sweetgum. They also consume fallen leaves, acorns, and other mast. It’s not uncommon for them to eat up to 5-6% of their body weight in dry matter per day during this time. This shift in diet is likely a result of the reduced availability of lush vegetation.

Management Implications

Understanding the preferred food sources of sika deer is crucial for effective management of their populations. For example, deer managers may choose to plant or maintain certain vegetation types that are preferred by deer, such as white clover or alfalfa. Alternatively, they may choose to modify their browse selection by pruning or removing certain tree species that are heavily browsed by deer. Effective management can also involve adjusting hunting seasons or bag limits to account for the changing dietary needs of sika deer throughout the year.