Experts Warn Against Feeding Deer to Avoid Risks and Spread of Disease

As of October 27, 2025, state experts are advising people to be mindful about the risks of feeding deer, as it can attract the wrong kinds of animals and spread disease. Adam Edge, the deer program coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, explains that deer have a varied diet depending on the season and availability of food.

Corn, a common supplemental feed, is not recommended as it is low in nutrition and lacks essential protein for deer growth and lactation. While corn can provide a burst of energy during the winter, an increase in carbohydrates can disrupt the animal's gut chemistry and digestion, similar to giving children too many candy bars. This can even lead to fatal acidosis in some cases.

Instead, deer in Tennessee tend to feed on acorns, bud tips, twigs, and dried plants during the late fall and winter. Red oak acorns are high in fat and protein, while white oak acorns are lower in fat and protein but higher in carbohydrates. When food is scarce, deer will turn to berries from evergreen species like juniper.

Experts also warn that deer will eagerly consume soybeans as a high-protein meal, and fresh greenery in moderation, though grass is difficult for them to digest. In the spring and summer, deer will eat to help restore the weight they lost over the winter, favoring plants like partridge pea, butterfly pea, ragweed, blackberry, pokeweed, and American beautyberry.

One of the biggest concerns with deer-human interactions is the increase in deer-vehicle collisions, which typically spike during the breeding season in the fall. During this time, bucks become highly focused on mating and are less aware of their surroundings, making road crossings more frequent and hazardous.

Overall, experts advise against supplemental feeding, as the potential risks, such as disease transmission and the attraction of predators, often outweigh the benefits. Deer are well-adapted to finding the resources they need throughout the seasons, and supplemental feeding is generally not necessary in the Southeast region.