Anybody notice a change in deer preference right after a rain?

[Turkey Creek]

I have seen this happen a few times this Summer. I will pay more attention as we go into Fall and my Fall plots come on line. However, everytime we get a decent rain I see an immediate jump in the number of deer in my white clover plot. As in the very next night. My clover has looked pretty good overall this Summer as we have had good rains. It always gets some visitors. However, the last several nights prior to tonight there is usually 2-3 different deer that visit it. Tonight we have only been dark for 90 minutes and I have already had 5 different deer on it and they have all stayed for an extended amount of time. Cuddelink is sending me the photos. We got 2.0" of rain last night and into early morning. I can't imagine that the clover has shot up any new sprouts in a few hours that are tall enough to eat.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

Eating worms?

 

[356]

You have picked up on something that the research supports. Palatability goes up after a rain event, likely due to new growth, which shows up almost immediately. This is especially true with clover (at least in my observations) and soybeans (also my observations). I didn’t see much change in activity going to and from the corn on years with corns rotations.

The following chart supports increased deer activity in soybeans after rain events.

 

[T-Max]

I notice it in my soybeans. Some of what I have seen this last couple of weeks I thought was due to the cooler temps after these rains. I know that isn’t always the case though.


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[Bowsnbucks]

Even without instantaneous new growth, wouldn't the existing plants be more succulent just from water uptake from the rain?

 

[Catscratch]

I've noticed a predictable increase of use after spraying gly to terminate a crop. Like clockwork... spray and then deer are all over it for 3-4 days.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Even without instantaneous new growth, wouldn't the existing plants be more succulent just from water uptake from the rain?

After pondering it more I would guess that is probably a good theory. I don't notice it in my other plots as much as the clover, but that to makes sense when looking at the plant structure of clover, it isn't nearly as "woody" as a lot of other vegetation types. I wonder if there might not be a little more to it than that though. Maybe a little bump in nutrient content as well? Plenty of water around so its not like my deer are hurting for water to "drink". Then again maybe its the killing of 2 birds with one stone. I can eat and drink all at the same time, (consuming food sources high in water content).

 

[Turkey Creek]

I've noticed a predictable increase of use after spraying gly to terminate a crop. Like clockwork... spray and then deer are all over it for 3-4 days.

Interesting I will have to take note of that the next time I spray.

 

[T-Max]

I've noticed a predictable increase of use after spraying gly to terminate a crop. Like clockwork... spray and then deer are all over it for 3-4 days.

My dad had some cows do that once in a corral he sprayed broadleaves with 2,4-D. He called the vet to ask if it was gonna kill them. The vet pondered that it may be the salts in the spray they found palatable.

 

[Stubborn1VT]

Deer get most of their necessary water from the plants themselves. I would think the rain water on the plants would be an added bonus, especially in the warmer months.