The practice of providing corn as a food source or attractant for deer is widespread, often stemming from a desire to help wildlife or increase viewing opportunities. Deer are undeniably attracted to the grain. However, the question of whether deer like corn must be separated from the issue of biological safety. While corn is highly palatable, its consumption carries significant, often fatal, health risks.
Why Deer Seek Out Corn and Other Grains
Deer are strongly drawn to corn because its composition delivers a rapid rush of energy. The grain is rich in starch, a complex carbohydrate that the deer’s body readily converts into sugar. This high caloric density is appealing when deer are building fat reserves during colder months.
The intense palatability of corn causes deer to prioritize it over their natural forage. This preference is driven by the sheer energy content, not a balanced nutritional profile. Corn is low in protein and the essential minerals necessary for sustained health and growth.
Corn is of poor nutritional quality compared to the natural browse that makes up a deer’s regular diet. Deer often fill their stomachs with corn, displacing the consumption of natural vegetation that provides necessary fiber and micronutrients. This selection of “empty calories” can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
The Biological Dangers of Feeding Deer Corn
The primary danger of feeding corn stems from the deer’s specialized digestive system, designed to process fibrous plant material. As ruminants, deer possess a four-chambered stomach; the largest chamber, the rumen, acts as a fermentation vat. The rumen relies on microbes to break down the tough cellulose found in browse.
When a deer rapidly consumes high-starch, low-fiber corn, it overwhelms the microbial community in the rumen. The sudden influx of starch causes a rapid overproduction of lactic acid, drastically lowering the pH level and creating an overly acidic environment.
The resulting condition is known as acidosis, or grain overload, which can be fatal. The acidic environment kills off the beneficial microbes required for normal digestion, shutting down the deer’s ability to process food. Damage to the rumen lining allows bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream.
Symptoms of acidosis include severe diarrhea, dehydration, and incoordination, with death often occurring within 24 to 72 hours. Metabolic stress can also lead to laminitis, a painful inflammation of the foot tissues that encourages abnormal growth of hooves, making movement difficult.
Physical Hazards and Regulatory Concerns
Beyond internal digestive issues, corn presents several physical hazards, especially when offered as corn on the cob. The firm, dense structure of the cob poses a choking risk, particularly for younger deer. A deer’s throat is not adequately sized to safely swallow large, unchewed pieces, which can become lodged and cause asphyxiation.
Aflatoxin Contamination
A significant risk is contamination with Aflatoxins, potent toxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These fungi thrive in warm, moist conditions and can contaminate corn left in feeders or on the ground. Aflatoxin levels in exposed corn piles can quickly rise to highly toxic levels.
Ingestion of Aflatoxin-contaminated corn can cause severe liver damage, immune system suppression, and ultimately death in deer; fawns are particularly vulnerable. The contamination also threatens non-target species, such as wild turkey and small mammals, attracted to the feed sites.
Regulatory and Disease Risks
The deliberate placement of corn raises serious regulatory concerns, as many states and municipalities prohibit the practice. Baiting laws prevent the artificial concentration of deer, which increases the risk of disease transmission.
When deer gather closely at a concentrated feed source, they exchange saliva, urine, and feces, creating an ideal environment for the spread of pathogens. This congregation is a major factor in the spread of highly infectious diseases, including Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
CWD is a neurological disorder caused by prions shed in bodily fluids. The prions remain infectious for years, meaning a single contaminated feed site poses a long-term risk to the local deer population. Regulations on feeding vary widely, often implementing bans where CWD has been detected.