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Home > Archive > Feb 7, 2008

Don’t Feed the Deer
By the Dixie Weekly
Utah Department of Wildlife Resources biologists are watching deer across Utah closely this winter.  They’re also monitoring how cold it is and snow depth to determine whether deer across Utah require help to make it through the winter. Conditions in Cache, Weber, Morgan and Summit counties reached a point that biologists decided that the deer in those areas needed to be fed early this month.
The biologists are feeding pellets to the deer that are specifically designed for their complex digestive systems.  Sportsman are helping the biologists feed the deer.
“We’re watching deer across the state closely,” Craig McLaughlin, Wildlife Section chief for the DWR, said.  “Parts of northern Utah are the only places where conditions have gotten severe enough that we feel the deer should be fed.”
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,” McLaughlin said.
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 said.
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 said.  “That concern shows 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 said.  “If everyone across Utah will do that, the state’s deer herds should get through the winter in good shape.”
For more information contact the nearest DWR office.

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