How many give back

[TheScottRanch]

How many of yougive back on these HARD winters













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[gasman]

I would not call it "Give Back" but when ever i visist the Oak Creek feeding station , i donate at least $30 to the cause.

[EastWaViking]

 It's just like feeding birds, they become dependent on it, and do not move to their natural wintering grounds. I Think it's great if a person decides to feed some deer on their property, but, only if they can continue feeding well into March.  I you can't it will do more harm than good.

[dbllunger]

Have a hard time showing all the apple buds and small leaders eaten off, but they also eat old apples and left over horse and cow hay. 

[DeerHarvester]

It's just like feeding birds, they become dependent on it, and do not move to their natural wintering grounds. I Think it's great if a person decides to feed some deer on their property, but, only if they can continue feeding well into March.  I you can't it will do more harm than good.

  They always say don't feed the bears!  I agree, you shouldn't feed them unless you are going to maintain food plots year round.

[Bigshooter]

I remember last year when Colorado was feeding there deer, they told people not to feed them hay or alfalfa.  Because it was not good for them, but I don't remember why.  They feed the deer pellets and the elk hay.

[boneaddict]

They don't have the bacteria and the particular enzymes in their stomachs to digest the hay. (elk are different)  It fills them up but they don't get the energy from the digestion they need to survive.  Their bellys are full but they start starving.    Sort of like when they fill up on cheat in the spring then end up starving to death on it, or *censored*ting themselves to death.  The alfalfa peelets give them enrgy and so does corn I understand.  

[big_bucks]

They don't have the bacteria and the particular enzymes in their stomachs to digest the hay. (elk are different)  It fills them up but they don't get the energy from the digestion they need to survive.  Their bellys are full but they start starving.    Sort of like when they fill up on cheat in the spring then end up starving to death on it, or *censored*ting themselves to death.  The alfalfa peelets give them enrgy and so does corn I understand.  

I believe I read something similar to that.  Nice to see that someone's heart is in the right place though.

[skybusterbo]

They don't have the bacteria and the particular enzymes in their stomachs to digest the hay. (elk are different)  It fills them up but they don't get the energy from the digestion they need to survive.  Their bellys are full but they start starving.    Sort of like when they fill up on cheat in the spring then end up starving to death on it, or *censored*ting themselves to death.  The alfalfa peelets give them enrgy and so does corn I understand.  

I've been a volenter up to Oak Creek for years. Bone is right. Alfalfa hay goes right threw them, they waist alot of energy *censored*ing it out too. Regular grass hay is better if thats all you have. Feed peelets or cracked corn.

[big_bucks]

What about carrots and sugar cubes?  Maybe some oats and a vanilla late?  Soy milk though as they might be lactose intolerant.

[yelp]

I give back in the way of time and money.  Join a conservaiton group like Mule Deer Foundation, RMEF, Pheasants Forever, NWTF, etc...plant that habitat.  That is what is important.  Fund conservation easements to curtail development in wintering grounds.  Look at the Chelan Area, bitterbrush being dozed for houses.  We need to support conservation of habitat.  Through easements or land purchases. There are conservation districts in every county...get involved.  Go out this spring and plant some winter habitat for pheasants.  This is one way I help give back.  Call county commissioners and WDFW representatives and volunteer.  Master hunters use your 40 hours planting habitat.  Habitat still is the key to wildlife! 

[Slider]

+1 what Yelp said!!!

[boneaddict]

+2

[WAPITIHUNTER]

It's just like feeding birds, they become dependent on it, and do not move to their natural wintering grounds. I Think it's great if a person decides to feed some deer on their property, but, only if they can continue feeding well into March.  I you can't it will do more harm than good.

Only if you live in an area where the Deer and Elk migrate to their wintering grounds. Where I live the deer and Elk are year round residents. They don't go anywhere. On top of that the local hay farms and beef ranches feed the elk and deer vigorously year round,at the disdain of the farmers.

[Big10gauge]

It was my understanding that if deer ate alfalfa out of the field green that they could/would also have the enzymes necessary to eat alfalfa hay. As they have already obtained it while eating the green stuff.  I know that they pick out the leaves and leave the stems.