Deer: To Feed or Not to Feed

In a three-year USU study, mule deer supplied with emergency food experienced better health and survival rates than non-fed deer. But fed deer displayed some unsettling behavioral changes, says USU researcher Chris Peterson. Feeding stations caused the animals to linger on their winter range, which could lead to more deer-human conflicts and increased disease transmission among herds.

For more information, contact Chris Peterson, doctoral student; and Terry Messmer, professor and Extension wildlife specialist, 435-797-3975; Department of Wildland Resources, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University.