During winter in northern North America, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been reported to consume non-woody browse items such as dried leaves (of woody plants), lichens, and evergreen herbaceous plants. We report use of five species of senescent (dead) herbaceous perennial plants in winter by a high density white-tailed deer herd in south-central Minnesota during a winter of average snow depths and below average temperatures. While low in digestible energy, senescent herbaceous material may present deer with a forage item higher in digestible protein than larger diameter woody twigs during periods of nutritional stress.
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The American Midland Naturalist
Vol. 160 • No. 1
July 2008
Vol. 160 • No. 1
July 2008