If you own land and you have deer on your property, you might be concerned about their diet during those lean winter months. After all, there isn't much food for them to eat when everything is covered in snow. Before you go out and start spreading mounds of dried corn, you should know that this practice could be harmful to the area deer, especially if corn isn't a regular staple for the deer in your area. For instance, deer in Iowa might be used to dining on the remnants of a corn crop during the winter, but deer in the high country of Utah won't be so familiar with it. If you start feeding corn to the deer on your Utah property, it can cause the bacteria in their gut to get out of balance, which can lead to acidosis. Unfortunately, acidosis can kill your deer. Before you start a winter feeding program for your deer, make sure you choose a food that is properly balanced. Here are a few tips that will help you create a safe and healthy winter feeding program for the deer on your property.

Check Local Laws

If you've decided to provide supplemental feeding for the deer on your property, you'll need to check local laws first. Supplemental feeding isn't legal throughout the United States. Not only that, but if you plan on hunting the deer on your property once the season opens, you'll need to make sure that hunting over bait is legal. If it's not, you'll need to rid your property of all traces of supplemental feeding before hunting season begins.

Invest in a Deer Feeder

If you want to make sure that you're not providing too much supplemental food for the deer in your area and you want to avoid traipsing all over your property depositing mounds of food, you'll need to invest in a deer feeder. An automatic deer feeder from a company like Boss Buck will allow you to monitor how much food the deer are able to receive. It will also ensure that you can fill it and leave, without trailing the food throughout your property.

Place the Feeder in an Area That Provides Shelter

When choosing a location for your deer feeder, try to select an area that provides the most shelter and coverage. Deer prefer to eat in more secluded areas that provide safety from the world around them. Choosing an area that provides shelter will ensure that the deer stay to feed longer.