PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 5, 2026
Hunters and non-hunters may be tempted to provide supplemental nutrition to help deer survive the harsh winter conditions. Before you do, there are things you should know. First, deer are well adapted to withstand winter. Most will make it and some won’t, but that’s nature’s way of culling out the weak and sick. Feeding artificially concentrates deer, often in the wrong areas. Attracting deer close to roads and houses increases the probability of car-deer collisions, and stress or mortality from free-roaming dogs, as well as over-browsing and depredation of ornamental plants. Deer have a very complex digestive system. A deer could die with a full stomach if fed the wrong food at the wrong time. Enjoy the chance encounter when they wander through the backyard, but let them follow their natural instincts for finding food and cover. ~ Bob Humphrey