The Wisconsin DNR is asking the public to avoid feeding deer as cold winter weather continues around parts of the state.
While the public may be concerned about the impact of winter conditions on the deer population, supplemental feeding of deer, such as leaving corn and other feed out for them in your backyard, causes more harm than good.
Deer are well-adapted to survive in winter conditions, with a slower metabolism in cold months and adjustments in their gut microbiomes to adapt to winter food sources.
Corn, alfalfa and other feed are not part of their natural winter diet and can cause severe digestive issues and even death.
Even a single feeding can cause rumen acidosis, which can cause death in otherwise healthy deer.
In addition to becoming sick after eating inappropriate food, winter feeding can negatively impact deer in several other ways.
Feeding can draw them out of their winter range where naturally available food and shelter are nearby, causing them to expend more energy than necessary.
It also causes deer to congregate, which increases the risk of disease transmission, including chronic wasting disease (CWD).
