Seasonal Nutrient Estimates of Mule Deer Diets in the Texas Panhandle

Abstract

Botanical composition and estimated seasonal nutrient quality of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) diets from the Canadian River and Clarendon areas of the Texas Panhandle were determined from 1979 to 1980. Deer from the Canadian River area consumed annually 62% browse, 34% forbs, 1% grasses, and 3% unknowns. Deer from the Clarendon area averaged 56% browse, 28% forbs, 11% grasses, and 5% unknowns annually. Deer consumed more grass at Clarendon because they had access to cultivated small grains, primarily winter wheat and rye. Annual deer diets from the Canadian River area contained 8 +/- 1% crude protein (CP), 0.14 +/- .03% phosphorus (P), and 47 +/- 2% in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). Deer diets from the Clarendon area averaged 10 +/- 3% CP, 0.15 +/- .03% P, and 50 +/- 2% IVOMD annually. Higher nutrient quality of mule deer diets at Clarendon suggests cultivated small grains/legumes have excellent potential to enhance Texas Panhandle deer herds that normally subsist on a fair to poor nutritional plane.