Hello out there from southern Nevada. VERY Strange weather here this year so far, had a disappointing year in mule deer rifle unit 24 too. Looking for some clarification on a topic I thought I understood at least a little bit. Everything I have read said the mulies are browsers not grazers like whitetails. Yet down in the big canyon in unit 24 you will see them all night and into the day each and every day eating that alfalfa like pigs? The ones that we did get were stuffed full of the stuff? I understood they could eat it, but were not able to get as much out of it as their normal feed stocks and only ate it if nothing better was available? Really confused on this one? Next what do they consider catnip or candy, blackberries and raspberries some people tell me? Sure seem to like that alfalfa a whole lot though?
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gonhunting247
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- Jan 21, 2014
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The alfalfa is a Legume. It is a perennial plant in the pea family, so it is a browse to a certain extent. That said, I think a guy should keep in mind that deer are primarily browsers. That doesn't mean at certain times of year and where good young grass, wheat, barley etc. shoots are, that they won't choose them over less desirable browse. It all comes down to time of year and availability of the most desirable forage. Of course as always, a ton of environmental and anthropogenic factors can affect what a deer see's as available or most desirable.
As far as candy, I would say for the area and the time of year you were hunting, you found it (Alfalfa)! Again I think it depends on the habitat available and the time of year to determine the "candy" so to speak. It could be bitter brush in the winter, if your in sage country or an irrigated field during a drought or just the dry time of year. Again I think it comes down to what's most desirable and available at the time and location.
Sorry for the long drawn out reply
and welcome to EF!
As far as candy, I would say for the area and the time of year you were hunting, you found it (Alfalfa)! Again I think it depends on the habitat available and the time of year to determine the "candy" so to speak. It could be bitter brush in the winter, if your in sage country or an irrigated field during a drought or just the dry time of year. Again I think it comes down to what's most desirable and available at the time and location.
Sorry for the long drawn out reply
and welcome to EF!
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