Supplemental Feed Use by Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer in Southern Texas

Providing pelleted supplemental feed to free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an increasingly common management practice in Texas and across the southeastern United States. Despite its prevalence, the proportion of a deer herd that consumes supplemental feed and the effects on antler size and body mass are unknown. We mixed markers (chlortetracycline during summer and chromic oxide during winter) into pelleted feed offered on 3 ranches and used data from harvested deer to assess the effect of deer sex, age, and distance from a feeder on the likelihood that a deer consumed feed. We also assessed the effect of feed consumption on antler size and body mass. Patterns of feed use varied by ranch, but a greater proportion of male deer used supplemental feed than female deer, older males tended to use feed more than young males, and the likelihood of a deer using feed was negatively related to distance between harvest location and the nearest feeder. On one ranch, antler size was 14% greater in males that consumed feed, but significant effects were not noted on other ranches. Male body mass at time of harvest was increased 12-23% by feed use in summer and winter. Female body mass at time of harvest was greater only in females 2.5 years of age that had eaten feed during summer. Feed use during summer did not influence female body mass at other ages (P>0.181), and body mass was not affected by feed use during winter (P=0.484). Our results suggest that supplemental feeding programs benefit males more than females. If managers wish to provide supplemental feed to females, higher feeder densities (>1 feeder/164 ha) and free-choice feeders should be considered.