Feeding the problem?
By DWAYNE RIOUX
Staff Writer
People who feed deer during the winter do so for a number of reasons. Some believe that it helps the animals survive when deep snow and sub-arctic weather temperatures prevent the deer from finding food on their own. Others, especially those who hunt, do so to increase their chances of bagging a deer. And then others feed deer simply because they love to watch the wild animals graze on their property or they believe it stops the animals from feeding on costly landscaping shrubbery.
The fact is the practice of feeding deer can often do more harm than good.
Gerry Lavigne, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife who specializes in deer management, says deer can have a hard time adapting to food being fed by people. He also warns that feeding large concentrations of deer within confined areas can help spread diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease, a viral infection that has nearly decimated entire deer herds in parts of the United States and Canada. Another fatal infection that can be transmitted when deer gather around feeding stations is bovine tuberculosis.
"Mange mites can also be easily transmitted when deer come in contact at crowded feeding stations," Lavigne said.
Lavigne has also found that people who feed deer during the winter often fail to provide enough food.
"Many of the deer will go hungry because the right amount of feed is not being provided to feed all the deer visiting the feed station," he said. "Only the dominant deer will feed first and the less dominant will starve to death."
The cost of feeding deer hasn't discouraged Wright Pinkham, 62, of Lexington, northeast of Kingfield. He's been feeding deer at his home, usually beginning in January, for the last five years. Pinkham has fed as many as 100 deer on a daily basis. It takes approximately 90 pounds of commercial grain to feed 60 to 70 deer per day, he says.
Pinkham hasn't regretted feeding deer, but if he had to do it all over, he probably would have never started.
"My wife says I spend more on deer food than what it costs to heat our house," Pinkham said. "I try to buy the grain in bulk and store it in the garage. I generally spend between $1,000 to $1,200 per winter to help feed the deer. It's time consuming. It's like feeding and caring for dairy animals. You can't just walk away and say 'I'll feed them tomorrow or the next day.' Once you start, you've got to finish what you've started."
Pinkham started feeding deer after finding two yearling deer dead on a backwoods lot. A sportsman with an affection for wildlife, Pinkham couldn't bear the thought of two deer dying from starvation.
Pinkham feeds the deer a commercial mixture of oats, barley and corn. A retired state employee, Pinkham says if he had more money, he'd probably spend it on deer feed.
"I know a lot of folks at the DIF&W are against feeding deer and they may be right," he said. "It's not something you can start and stop. If you quit mid-winter they'll starve to death. You've got to feed them enough grain so they all get some, especially the yearlings."
Lavigne has visited numerous feeding stations and found dozens of deer starved to death within sight of a man-made food plot. In many instances, deer had a full stomach of feed, but it was the wrong type.
"Some feeds such as vegetable trimmings and hay are inappropriate for deer," Lavigne said. "They will starve on this diet."
Lavigne says deer will survive on a supplement diet of apples, oats, corn and acorns, but only recommends the most expensive commercial dairy and deer foods. Lavigne says a deer will consume 2 to 3 pounds of grain each day.
Winslow homeowner Ray Caron reports he was feeding up to 25 deer daily in the winter three years ago at a cost of $3,000 per season. Caron, who lives in an urban development, said the deer herd was concentrated in a small wooded section behind his home simply because of loss habitat due to urban sprawl. He believed feeding the deer during the winter would help prevent the animals from feasting on expensive shrubbery near his home and surrounding neighborhood.
Caron's wife, Holly, says they continue to feed deer and will start setting out grain right after hunting season in December. She said their deer feed bill now runs about $20 to $25 per month. Last winter the Carons supported over a dozen deer for a two-month period.
"I'm always worried about deer ticks in our back yard," Holly said. "We normally stop feeding them by March or when they can fend for themselves. We've never had problems with them eating our shrubs, but then again, we don't type the shrubs they normally eat."
Lavigne says winter feeding lures large concentrations of deer in small areas, often placing them several miles from their traditional grazing areas. Once deer zero in on a feeding station, it discourages them from creating escape routes that allow them to escape predators, including coyotes.
"Predation, not starvation, is a major cause of winter mortality among deer," Lavigne said. "Coyotes and bobcat generally prey on winter-weak deer, but will also kill healthy deer when an opportunity occurs." Lavigne also says feeding stations are often set up near high traffic areas, making deer vulnerable to collisions with motor vehicles.
Three years ago, District Game Warden Milton "Skip" Bates, who patrolled the greater Jackman/West Forks region, reported 70 deer killed during the winter by motor vehicle traffic on Route 201, between Caratunk and the West Forks. Bates investigated many of the accidents and surmised the deer were attempting to reach feeding stations situated near the busy highway when killed.
Dwayne Rioux -- 861-9287
outdoors@centralmaine.com
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.