In Defense of Inkberry: Dangers of Ranking Deer Forage

Field utilization studies of woody plants browsed by deer (Odocoileus spp.) may not, by themselves, provide the wildlife manager with sufficient information to determine deer preference for a particular species. As an example, inkberry (Ilex glabra (L.) Gray) shows little evidence of being browsed in the field, but collections of deer rumina indicate that inkberry contributes significantly to deer diets in the southeastern Coastal Plain. It may be necessary to collect deer for stomach analysis when feasible, or conduct pellet analysis or tame deer studies. Nutritional analysis might also be useful.