Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are the fruit of the Corylus genus, which includes various species of shrubs and trees. They are a preferred food source for many wildlife species. Yes, deer do eat hazelnuts, often consuming them with enthusiasm. This feeding behavior is rooted in the deer’s seasonal dietary needs, making the energy-dense nut a powerful attractant.
Deer Dietary Preferences
Deer, specifically white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), are classified as “concentrate selectors,” meaning they seek out and consume highly digestible, nutrient-rich forage. In the spring and summer, they primarily graze on tender leaves, shoots, and forbs, which provide the protein needed for growth and antler development. As seasons transition to fall and winter, their nutritional needs shift toward accumulating fat reserves to survive the leaner months. This seasonal necessity explains why mast crops, including various nuts, become an important part of their diet.
The Attractiveness of Hazelnuts
The appeal of the hazelnut is its exceptional nutritional profile, which addresses the deer’s need for high-energy food. Hazelnuts contain about 62% fat and 15% protein, making them far more calorically dense than many other available nuts. This composition offers a superior energy boost compared to alternatives like acorns, which often contain bitter tannins.
Deer typically consume hazelnuts in the autumn and early winter after the nuts have fallen, locating them on the forest floor through their acute sense of smell. The concentrated energy helps deer build the fat layers necessary for surviving the cold and the reproductive stresses of the rut.
Consumption of Hazelnut Plant Parts
Beyond the nut, deer also browse on the vegetative structures of the hazelnut plant itself. They eat the tender leaves, young shoots, and catkins, especially when other fresh forage is scarce. This browsing is common during the dormant season or in areas where preferred food is quickly depleted. The damage is distinct because deer lack upper incisors and tear the plant material, resulting in ragged ends on browsed twigs, often clipped up to six feet high. Young hazelnut shrubs, particularly those less than five years old, are vulnerable to this damage, which can severely stunt growth and delay nut production.
Protection Strategies for Hazelnut Growers
Protecting hazelnut plants from deer requires a multi-faceted approach, with physical barriers being the most consistently effective method. Installing a fence is the most reliable way to exclude deer entirely, but it must be eight to ten feet tall to prevent leaping. Alternatively, a double-parallel fence with a gap can confuse the deer’s depth perception, making them less likely to attempt a jump. For individual plants, growers can use protective measures such as tree tubes or wire mesh cages around young shrubs. These enclosures prevent browsing on vulnerable shoots and leaves, allowing the plant to establish itself.