A Guide to the Management of Deer & Elk

Nature’s Partner
Whether you are driving down the road, camping in the woods or sitting on your back porch, few people can resist the sight of a deer. Deer have always been a part of our natural landscape. And because of that, many of us take for granted that nature will take care of them. But many factors, not the least of which is nutrition, have interacted to challenge their growth and well-being.

Today, we recognize the need for assisting nature in enabling deer to grow into healthy adults. With a basic understanding of the digestion, feeding behavior, life cycles and nutritional needs, you can take an active role in promoting the growth of healthy does capable of producing future generations we all can enjoy, and bigger bucks supporting impressive antlers.

Diet and Digestion
Deer are related to other ruminant cud-chewing animals such as cattle and sheep.

For this reason, it was once believed that deer could be raised and maintained on hay and grain. But unlike cattle or sheep, who are grazers, deer have a smaller stomach compared to their body size. The smaller stomach not only affects the type of food a deer eats, but the frequency of feeding as well.

Most of the 41 species of deer fall into the category known as mixed feeders, which both browse and graze. However, some species, such as the smaller whitetail and mule deer, are primarily browsers. These deer must be highly selective, feeding frequently and choosing browse that is easily digestible. In general though, all deer prefer high protein, energy-rich plants like browse, leafy plants and acorns over more fibrous grasses. But as opportunistic feeders, they will make due with what is available, changing diets as plant availability and quality change with the season of the year.

This digestive adaptability is one reason deer survive as well as they do. But it takes a few weeks for changes to take place. So deer adapted to a winter diet of highly fibrous food can actually be harmed by well-meaning sportsmen or landowners who put out corn or hay to get them through the winter. In fact, deer have been known to starve to death with their stomachs full. Why? Because after living at starvation levels, their stomachs have lost the normal organisms necessary to digest the corn and hay.

Geography and Climate

Geography also plays a role in the feeding habits of deer. In the north, the extreme cold weather increases energy and nutritional needs during a time when natural food sources are scarce and does, bucks and fawns are preparing for winter. Deer in the south, however, cope with different stresses, preparing for heat dissipation and water conservation during the summer. As the summer progresses, forage quality declines just when the does are lactating and the bucks are in a period of maximum antler growth. This creates a “nutrition gap” between what the deer require and what is naturally available. Supplementing the diet helps to overcome the nutritional gap and allow the deer to achieve its genetic potential.

Throughout the country, climate dictates behavior and nutritional needs. By helping deer overcome periods of nutritional deficiency, we can also help minimize the stresses which affect all areas of their lives.

Life Cycle and Nutrition
Deer nutrition is also affected by physiological needs. Bucks have different nutritional needs at different times – for instance, energy demand is high during the rut and protein demand is high during antler growth. A doe’s nutritional demands are highest during the last third of her pregnancy to just before weaning. And fawns, who triple their birth weight in the first three months, are most demanding in the first six months of life. Each stage of the life cycle is influenced by nutrition.

Reproduction
The whitetail deer has a gestation period of about 200 days. During this time, nutrition is critical to the survival of both the fawn and the doe – especially during the last three months when the fetus gains 80% of its size. After the fawn is born, the energy supply to it can literally mean the difference between life and death for the newborn fawn. Without proper nutrition, does tend to give birth to small, weak fawns. These fawns are almost always more susceptible to disease and predators.

And when malnutrition affects the quality and quantity of milk production, their chance of survival is even less. Malnutrition can affect survival in other ways too. Healthy does clearly have strong natural instincts to protect their young, but hormonal imbalances caused by malnutrition affect the bonding process. This leads some to abandon their young. So while a fawn may die from an attack by a predator, death may actually be a result of poor nutrition.

Making sure that does are well nourished going into pregnancy and throughout the early months of nursing is the key to producing healthy youngsters. And a fawn with a good start has the best chance of reaching its genetic potential as an adult.

The First Critical Year
After the fawn begins to wean (at about six months old), its protein requirements for growth, mineral requirements for strong bone development and carbohydrate and vitamin requirements for energy are great. By now, the fawn has changed from a “hider” to a strong runner better able to fend for itself. But, because they are growing so rapidly, fawns usually have little fat reserves going into winter. Making sure these youngsters have adequate nutrition will help them survive their first winter and go into puberty ready to produce their own healthy fawns, or begin the climb up the ranks of the bucks.

Antler Growth
The most striking characteristics of deer are their antlers. Antlers seem to have evolved primarily as weapons for fighting to determine male dominance for breeding rights. It is important to remember that antlers grow as living tissue and are true bones – they grow, harden, are cast off and re-grow each year. And, since growing antlers are living tissue, they require all the nutrients needed to maintain life. During the first one-third to one-half of antler growth, protein is by far the most critical nutrient.    [See Purina AntlerMax^® Deer 20 Deer Chow diet]. The velvet or skin that covers the antler and feeds its growth with essential nutrients is made up of about 80% protein. During the last one-third of growth, two-thirds of the minerals are deposited. So, fully developed antlers contain high levels of both minerals and protein. Once final growth has been achieved, the velvet is shed.

Most male deer begin to grow their first real antlers in the spring, just before their first birthday. Most years, the antler grows more points and its size is directly related to the size, maturity and rank of the individual animal. This period of growth begins as bucks are recovering from the stresses of the rut and winter. So the better their condition going into winter and the more nutrition available as this growth period begins, the larger and stronger the antlers will be. Naturally, nutrients will first be used by the buck to maintain body functions and achieve optimal body weight. Only after these needs have been met can leftover nutrients be used for antler development. This is why supplemental feeding is so important – it is one of the best ways to ensure that bucks receive enough nutrients to achieve their true genetic potential for antler growth.

The Rut
When the breeding season begins, the food consumption of both bucks and does declines very quickly – even if food is available. Deer are focused on the rut, even though their energy requirements have increased due to the cooler temperatures and the increased activity of challenges and chases. Because of this, an energy gap is created between what the deer need and what they take. This can cause deer to lose as much as 10% - 20% of their body weight. As winter sets in with its cold weather and sparse forage, especially in the northern climates, it makes it even more difficult for deer to re-gain their lost weight. Because of this, there is a high mortality rate – especially among fawns whose body condition has been weakened.

The supplemental feeding of high energy, complete and balanced nutrition during the rut can minimize body weight loss and increase survival during the winter [See Purina AntlerMax Rut & Conditioning Deer 16 Deer Chow diet]. Bucks in better body condition coming out of the winter will require less spring nutrition to bring their body condition to the point where antler growth can start. So the bucks in prime body condition can actually start growing antlers earlier in the spring than those with poorer body condition. By growing antlers earlier, they can have larger antlers at the end of summer. This shows the tremendous importance of fall and winter supplemental feeding for optimal antler growth later that year.

Managing Growth Through Supplemental Feeding
Nutrition is one of the major factors affecting the health and productivity of deer. Providing deer with a consistent diet which meets their seasonal physiological needs increases the nutritional level of the herd and allows each deer to reach its genetic potential. In addition, a well-planned supplemental feeding program can lower fawn mortality, post-rut mortality in males and encourage the growth of bigger bucks with superior antlers.

Supplemental feeding can also compensate for variations in nutrient value and availability of natural range and forage. Finally, deer experience less stress when they are provided with a good quality diet year-round, especially during high demand times such as pregnancy, nursing and antler growth.

Purina Research over the last several years has shown the value of supplemental feeding on both doe and buck body weights and on antler development. Supplemental feeding has been shown to continually increase both doe and buck body weights.

Increasing the body weight of does results in increased fawn body weights, which in turn increases their chances of survival. And since antler development is directly proportional to body weight, supplemental feeding becomes even more important.

By providing sufficient high quality protein during the early critical stages of antler development  [See Purina AntlerMax Deer 20 Deer Chow diet, and a balance of essential minerals  [See Purina AntlerMax Deer & Elk Trophy Mineral supplement]  and protein during the latter stage of antler development, you can have significant impact on the size of the antler, its shape, beam circumference, length, width and mass as measure by Boone & Crockett.

Purina Mills® Game Management System for Deer and Elk
To consistently produce strong, healthy deer and elk, it takes dedication to a year-round nutrition program – the nutrition found in Purina’s new and improved, easy-to-use, regionally formulated Deer and Elk Chow diets with AntlerMax^® Protein and Mineral Technologies. AntlerMax helps deliver optimal antler growth, size and mass in bucks, helps assure proper fertility in does and growth in fawns – all at levels no other form of nutrition can provide. And Purina Mills WaterShield™ Technology protects Deer Chow pellets from the harmful effects of moisture. With these new Deer and Elk Chow formulations, you can provide a complete balanced feeding program not available from grain or forage alone.

Nutritional Confidence Based on Research and Testing
Purina Mills has invested years of research and field-testing to produce a full line of feeds designed specifically for the unique nutritional requirements of deer and elk. Regionally formulated to help overcome geographical and seasonal differences in forage nutrient content, Purina Deer Chow diets provide the proper balance of high-quality AntlerMax proteins, vitamins, AntlerMax minerals and other nutrients deer need to reach their full genetic potential. And highly palatable, pelleted formulations prevent sorting and nutrient imbalances common with grain or grain mixes and feeding programs designed for other species.

Patented Proteins
AntlerMax^® is a patented, all-natural nutritional technology developed by Purina over the last 10 years that provides higher quality proteins to growing deer and elk antlers. The unique digestive tract of deer and elk reduces the quality of most proteins by breaking them down too quickly and diluting their value for antler growth. AntlerMax Technology naturally protects high-quality proteins from early breakdown and delivers a higher concentration to growing antlers. The result – large trophy antlers in bucks at an earlier age, abundant milk production in does and optimum growth and development in fawns.

Proprietary Trace Minerals
Purina Research has discovered not just the ideal types, but also the exact ratios of minerals to help produce optimal antler growth. This proprietary blend is unique to Purina and is the foundation for AntlerMax Mineral Technology. AntlerMax Mineral Technology provides a power-packed nutritional package with proprietary levels and ratios of essential vitamins and minerals to help promote optimal antler growth, density and strength, fawn health and reproductive performance.

Regional Formulation
Purina Mills® Deer and Elk Chow® diets are regionally formulated to adjust for the mineral variations in plants and soil so they meet the specific needs of deer and elk in every region of the country.

WaterShield™ Technology Protection
Exclusive WaterShield™ Technology is a unique water-resistant process that enables the Deer and Elk Chow pellets to repel moisture. This helps to significantly reduce pellet waste and labor commonly associated with rain, humidity and damp feeding conditions. It is safe, doesn’t affect palatability, and ensures high consumption of AntlerMax Technology. In addition, WaterShield Technology enhances the flowability of Deer and Elk Chow pellets through gravity and broadcast feeders. This helps reduce the chance of deer and elk going without feed because of a clogged feeder. Feeding Deer Chow with WaterShield can help save you money during wet conditions because of reduced pellet waste and less labor expended scooping out wet mushy feed.

 

The Bottom Line: New Deer and Elk Chow Diets Perform Like No Other Feed
AntlerMax Technology can result in LARGE TROPHY ANTLERS AT AN EARLIER AGE. And WaterShield™ helps you save money during wet conditions by reducing pellet waste, labor and the chances of a clogged feeder. With new Deer and Elk Chow diets, you get the power of unequalled antler growth and the protection of water-resistance all in one nutritious pellet.

So, whether your goals are to enhance fawn and calf development, improve lactation, increase antler growth, replenish body stores, or provide year-round nutrition, you can be confident you are providing complete deer, elk and game nutrition backed by research and the Purina commitment to quality.

The Right Location
Whether you have five open acres or 1,000 acres under high fence, supplemental feeding allows you to provide deer and game with year-round nutrition. All it takes is the right location, the right feeder and the right Purina feeds and supplements.

To begin with, select an area along runways or trails that deer frequently use. If stations are placed away from these areas, deer will take longer to find the food, if they find it at all. If the location is good, deer will pattern their daily movements around the feeder just as they do around a cornfield or other sources of food, allowing you to observe and enjoy the animals. For best results, make sure your feeding location provides:

   • An easy approach into the wind
   • Good visibility
   • Access to fresh, clean water
   • Easy escape routes near cover
 

For low or unfenced properties, placing your feeding area 500 feet from the perimeter will help keep deer on the property and allow you to enjoy the benefit of your labor. Do not place feeders along fence lines, roads, power lines or in large openings, and never hunt in a feeding area.

The Right Feeder Type
Selecting the right method of feeding will depend on the number of animals you are feeding and the amount of time you have to spend. It is important to provide fresh feed. If you are feeding a small number of animals, then you may want to ground-feed or hand-feed (providing only enough feed for one to two days’ consumption). Also consider using  block forms of feed.

For larger areas or herds, automatic feeders are an excellent choice. These can hold up to two weeks worth of feed (although they should be checked weekly). The best feeder has an open construction that allows deer to constantly scan their surroundings. If other animals are not an issue, the feed tray should be approximately 24 inches high to allow easy access to growing fawns as well as adults. Always make sure to provide adequate clearance for antlers. If weekly maintenance is not possible, then consider using  block forms of feed. These provide excellent nutrition and allow you to supplement without the time commitment needed for other methods of feeding.

 

Finally, it is important to make sure that the ground stays clean and dry. Coccidiosis and foot rot are common conditions caused by microorganisms that flourish in an unsanitary environment – especially damp, wet areas common for deer in confinement. Coccidiosis leads to diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, especially in young animals. When foot rot develops, sores appear between the toes or just above the hoof. Maintaining dry ground by moving feeders, tilling the ground or rotating animals to different pens to allow the ground to dry are all important management tools to prevent these health problems.

 

Feeder Space
Maintaining sufficient feeder space so that all animals have adequate opportunity to eat will prevent many problems. Insufficient feeder space will allow the dominant animals to eat most of the rations, preventing the more timid animals from eating enough to meet their nutritional needs. Providing sufficient feeders so all deer can eat at once will provide more uniform herd growth and health.

The Right Purina® Feeds for the Enthusiasts
Purina offers deer and game enthusiasts a variety of products to help them partner with nature to provide a well-rounded feeding program. While there are many foods deer will eat, it is important to provide a food that is balanced to the deer’s needs. Corn is especially palatable to deer, yet it is low in protein and essential vitamins and minerals. Purina deer feeds are balanced to provide the nutrients necessary for optimum growth.

If deer are currently being fed apples, corn, carrots or other types of feed, changing them over to Deer Chow is not difficult. Simply begin feeding the pelleted feed in addition to the current offering. Over a two to three week period, gradually reduce the amount of the current feed while increasing the amount of Deer Chow. If deer are not currently being fed, AntlerMax^® Deer Blend 16 contains whole grain corn which will attract deer to the feed. Blocks are not readily recognized as feed and so may require placing apples, corn or other native foods around the block to get the deer started. Once they begin eating the block, you can discontinue the use of “attractants”.

Purina AntlerMax^® Deer Blend 16 (59SE): A 16%-protein mix of corn and nutrition-packed pellets designed to enhance the natural forage diet of deer, elk and game. The protein content supports good performance with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology to promote strong antler growth, reproductive success and abundant milk production and assure growth and healthy development in fawns and calves. Contains proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology, a power-packed nutritional package with ideal amounts and ratios of vitamins and minerals for good antler density and strength, reproductive performance and healthy young. Ideal for broadcast or spin feeders, it can also be used to encourage deer and other game to begin eating feed or blocks.

Purina AntlerMax^® Deer Block (59SV): A 20%-protein, highly-fortified, year-round supplemental feed block designed to enhance the deer’s natural forage diet without the need for a feeder. This highly palatable, 33-1/3 pound block contains patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and a strong apple flavor for high palatability. It is formulated with high quality ingredients that provide maximum availability and proper balance of major and trace minerals.

Purina Deer and Game Mineral Block Plus (56C1): All the benefits of a fortified mineral block PLUS corn to encourage consumption and provide extra protein for growth. Designed for year-round use, this block contains all the essential vitamins and minerals to promote overall health.

Purina AntlerMax^® Deer & Elk Trophy Mineral™ (59SF): A highly researched loose mineral with proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology, a power-packed nutritional package with ideal amounts and ratios of vitamins and minerals for superior antler density and strength, optimum reproductive performance and healthy calves and fawns.

Managing free-range deer and elk through supplemental feeding has never been easier. This year-round program can complement natural forage and ensure optimum body and antler growth. This program should be fed free-choice with access to adequate native forage or good quality hay.

For best results, provide approximately one to two pounds per 100 pounds of body weight in addition to good quality, free-choice roughage. Consumption will vary depending upon the season of the year, nutritional needs of the animals and availability of other foods. Provide Purina AntlerMax^® Deer & Elk Trophy Mineral™ (59SF) as a supplement.

Purina AntlerMax^® Deer 20 (59SB): A 20%-protein pelleted ration designed to enhance the deer’s natural forage diet. The high protein content supports top performance with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology to promote superior antler growth in bucks, reproductive success and abundant milk production in does and assure optimum growth and healthy development in fawns. Contains proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology, a power-packed nutritional package with ideal amounts and ratios of vitamins and minerals for superior antler density and strength, optimum reproductive performance and healthy fawns. Should be fed starting in January when nutrient demand is at its highest – the rut is over and bucks and does are starting to rebuild body stores during the winter. This is also the time when pregnant does need extra nutrition for developing fawns, and bucks begin antler growth. Feeding should continue through the spring and summer months when does are giving birth and are at peak lactation and bucks are at peak antler production. Keep feeding through September or until antler growth is complete.

Purina AntlerMax^® WaterShield™ Deer 20 (59SS): The same AntlerMax^® Deer 20 diet only protected by exclusive WaterShield™ Technology which makes the pellet resistant to moisture, reducing waste and labor associated with water damage. Ideal for spin feeders when mixed with a slight amount of corn to increase flowability.

Purina AntlerMax^® Deer 16 (59SC): A 16%-protein pelleted ration with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology. Formulated for those who desire a mid-level of protein for their deer. Start feeding in January and continue through September or until antler growth is complete.

Purina AntlerMax^® Rut & Conditioning Deer 16 (59SD): A 16%-protein, fat-enhanced, pelleted ration designed to improve the deer’s body condition prior to and throughout the rut. The high energy content will replenish body condition of does and bucks during and following the rut and during periods of low forage availability and quality through the winter months. This superior nutrition will result in healthier animals prepared to grow big antlers and produce and feed large, healthy fawns. Formulated with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology to promote superior antler growth in bucks next spring and summer, reproductive success and abundant milk production in does and assure optimum growth and healthy development in fawns. Contains proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology, a power-packed nutritional package with ideal amounts and ratios of vitamins and minerals for superior antler density and strength, optimum reproductive performance and healthy fawns. Begin feeding in October or one month before the start of the rut and continue through the end of December or until bucks begin to drop their antlers.

Purina AntlerMax^® WaterShield™ Rut & Conditioning Deer 16 (59ST): The same AntlerMax Rut & Conditioning Deer 16 diet only protected by exclusive WaterShield™ Technology which makes the pellet resistant to moisture, reducing waste and labor associated with water damage. Ideal for spin feeders when mixed with a slight amount of corn to increase flowability.

If you wish to use corn in your feeding program, you can blend 75% AntlerMax Deer 20 with 25% corn to produce a 17% protein diet. Blending 50% AntlerMax Deer 20 with 50% corn will give you a 14% protein diet. But whenever you blend corn, you need to hand-feed to avoid sorting and over-consumption that could result in serious illness or even death from foundering.

The Right Purina® Feeds for Elk, Red, Fallow, Axis, Sika Deer and Reindeer

Now there are two ways to provide supplemental feed for Elk, Red, Fallow, Axis, Sika Deer and Reindeer. With products developed specifically for both methods of feeding, one program will be right for your situation.

Hand-Feeding
For best results, hand-feed (provide only enough feed for one to two days consumption) specific amounts with access to native forage or good quality hay. Provide approximately one to two pounds per 100 pounds of body weight in addition to free-choice (as much as they want to eat), good quality roughage. Consumption will vary depending on the season, nutritional needs of the animals and availability of other foods.

Purina AntlerMax^® Elk 20 (59SG) and AntlerMax^® Elk 18 (59SH): Both products have a high level of quality protein and contain AntlerMax^® Protein Technology to promote superior antler growth in bulls, reproductive success and abundant milk production in cows and assure optimal growth and healthy development in calves. Contain exclusive AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology for ideal amounts and ratios of essential vitamins and minerals for superior antler density and strength, optimum reproductive performance and healthy young. Both should be hand-fed with access to adequate forage or good quality hay.

Purina AntlerMax^® WaterShield™ Elk 20 (59SU): The same AntlerMax^® Elk 20 diet only protected by exclusive WaterShield™ Technology which makes the pellet resistant to moisture, reducing waste and labor associated with water damage. Ideal for spin feeders when mixed with a slight amount of corn to increase flowability.

Purina AntlerMax^® Red and Fallow Deer 18 (59SJ): An 18%-protein pelleted ration with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology. Formulated for those who desire a mid-level of protein for their exotic deer. Ideal for feeding Axis, Sika, Red and Fallow deer.

Purina AntlerMax^® Reindeer 14 (59SK): A 14%-protein pelleted ration with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology. Designed to maintain Reindeer in good body condition, this quality Purina feed provides a supplemental nutrition program for good health during all stages of life.

Free-Choice Feeding
After years of extensive research, Purina has developed a self-limiting feed that can be fed to Elk, Red, Fallow, Axis and Sika deer and other non-native deer year-round, reducing the time and expense of hand-feeding. Purina’s AntlerMax^® High Energy Deer and Elk Developer Program provides diets that have naturally built-in regulators that limit the amount of feed deer and elk will eat at one time. This helps prevent over-consumption and promotes greater overall herd health and growth.

Purina’s AntlerMax^® High Energy Deer and Elk Developer Program was developed specifically for Elk, Red, Fallow, Axis and Sika and other non-native deer because of their unique nutritional requirements and feeding behaviors. When using these products, follow these simple guidelines:

• Feed free-choice in a self-feeder.
• Make sure hay or pasture is available to animals at all times.
• Never allow hungry animals access to the product – they should be full from hay, high roughage or complete feed.
• Average daily consumption will be about one to two pounds per 100 pounds of body weight. Consumption will vary with the season, nutritional needs and availability of other foods.
• Provide Purina AntlerMax^® Deer & Elk Trophy Mineral™ as an additional supplement.

Purina AntlerMax^® High Energy Developer LL (59SR): Developed for growing and developing young animals, this product with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology is ideal for conditioning animals before market and for improving the body condition of underweight adults.

Purina AntlerMax^® High Energy Developer HL (59SP): Developed to maintain adult animals in good body condition, this product with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology contains higher levels of natural feed-intake limiters designed to control the feed intake of adult animals. In young animals, over-consumption is usually not a problem. However, if over-consumption develops, then AntlerMax^® High Energy Developer HL may be fed to help reduce feed intake.

When feeding Elk, Whitetail, Red, Fallow, Axis or Sika deer in confinement, Purina provides a complete feed that requires no additional supplementation. It is easy to use and prevents sorting for maximum nutrition intake.

Purina AntlerMax^® Breeder 20 (59SL) / AntlerMax^® Breeder 16 (59SN): A complete pelleted diet that contains either 20% or 16% protein with patented AntlerMax^® Protein Technology and proprietary AntlerMax^® Mineral Technology designed to be fed to deer and elk in confinement year-round. This diet contains high levels of roughage, eliminating the free-choice feeding of hay and roughage. For best results, feed approximately two to three pounds per 100 pounds of body weight.

Purina AntlerMax Breeder diets are also designed to be fed as creep feeds as well as a weaning feed for deer fawns and elk calves. When used as a creep feed, feed one pound per 100 pounds of body weight for fawns and calves until weaning. As a weaning ration, feed free-choice along with free-choice quality hay. Once fawns and calves are eating pellets, feed hay sparingly. Consumption will vary depending upon season of the year, nutritional needs and availability of other foods. It is not necessary to feed hay free-choice with this product. However, if behavioral problems such as chewing fences, hair pulling, etc., occur, you can feed about one quarter pound of hay per 100 pounds of body weight three times per week.

Health and Management Tips

Transition Gradually to a New Feeding Program
The microorganisms in the deer’s rumen need time to adjust to a new feed or feeding program. When switching from one feed or feeding program to another, do so gradually to prevent digestive upsets. Over a one-week period (minimum), mix the new feed with the old, gradually adjusting the ratio until the old feed is phased out.

Supplementing with Grain
Corn can be provided as a supplemental source of energy, but should be hand-fed in specific amounts. Deer should never be given free access to corn. Over-consumption can lead to grain engorgement, or acidosis, caused by the rapid intake of large amounts of corn or other grain over a short period of time (usually 1% to 2% of body weight in less than one hour). This can lead to diarrhea, founder, and if continued, death. To prevent this serious condition:

• Never allow hungry animals access to a large amount of grain. • Feed roughage first prior to allowing access to corn. • Allow animals to have access to grain for only 30 minutes per day. • Feed more than once a day.

Note: There are many factors which affect deer and elk performance and health. A good management program should include a regular review of the health and management program by a veterinarian familiar with deer production.

   Purina® for Life
Since our start over one hundred years ago, Purina Mills and our familiar “Checkerboard” symbol have become synonymous with quality, research and total nutrition.

This unmatched tradition has led to the development of the Purina Mills® Game Management Systems. Now you can play an active role in promoting a healthy start for fawns, deer and elk that results in faster growth than natural forage could ever support.

Purina Mills® Game Management Systems Family of Feeds

Whatever your game management needs, Purina is here with complete programs and superior feeds. All one strictly formulated to provide the right nutrition and rigorously tested to ensure quality and performance.

Purina Mills. Because total game management begins, and ends, with total nutrition.
It’s Purina® for Life.