Whitetail Food: Why Summer Forbs Matter
- BGWT 206


White-tailed deer management is not just a fall conversation. In this episode, John Weir, Laura Goodman Ph.D., and Mark Turner Ph.D. explain why summer is one of the most important seasons for deer nutrition, especially when bucks are growing antlers and does are producing milk for fawns. The discussion moves beyond acorns and food plots to focus on the plants deer depend on most: forbs, fresh browse, soft mast, and young regrowth.


The crew breaks down why many plants landowners call weeds can be some of the best deer food on the place. Ragweed, pokeweed, horseweed, tick clovers, blackberry, greenbrier, and other broadleaf plants all come into the conversation, along with the role of sunlight, prescribed fire, and tree control in making those plants available. They also explain why dense cedar, closed-canopy timber, and unmanaged Cross Timbers can leave deer with cover but very little quality food.


This episode also takes a practical look at food plots and supplemental feeding. Mark explains why food plots may help with hunting or viewing deer, but they rarely make up enough acres to fix poor habitat across a property. Instead, the group points landowners back to the basics: open the canopy, reduce cedar, use fire at different times of year, encourage fresh regrowth, manage deer density, and grow more high-quality native forage where deer can actually reach it.