Do Deer Eat Grapes? What You Need To Know

Do Deer Eat Grapes? What You Need To Know

Why Do Deer Eat Grapes?

Deer are herbivorous mammals, meaning they only eat plant materials. Their diets consist mainly of grasses, twigs, leaves, nuts, berries, and some agricultural crops. Deer need to consume around 5-10 pounds of food per day in order to survive.

Grapes offer deer a high-calorie, sweet food source that provides energy. The nutrients in grapes include:

  • Water and fiber to aid digestion
  • Natural sugars for energy
  • Vitamins C, K, and B6 for immune health
  • Minerals like copper, iron, and potassium for bone strength and oxygen circulation
  • Antioxidants like resveratrol to combat disease

In addition to their nutritional benefits, grapes also have an appealing taste and aroma for deer. Their acute sense of smell and search for sugary calories can attract deer to vineyards or backyards where grapes are grown.

Do Deer Prefer Grapes Over Other Crops?

While deer certainly enjoy grapes, they have a wide palate and will eat a variety of plant foods. Their diet shifts seasonally based on food availability. In general, deer tend to prefer agricultural crops and plants high in carbohydrates over native browse.

Some other attractive crops and fruits for deer include:

  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Fruit trees like apples, pears, and peaches
  • Vegetables like lettuce, beans, and tomatoes
  • Ornamentals like tulips and roses

The level of “damage” a deer does depends on how readily available and abundant the food source is. For example, a single backyard grape vine may suffer more damage per plant than an entire vineyard, where deer can spread out grazing pressure.

At What Time of Year Do Deer Eat Grapes?

Deer look for grapes primarily during late summer and early fall, which coincides with grape maturation. Grapes become ripe and full of sugar starting around August/September in most regions.

Some key times deer gravitate toward grapes:

  • Summer: Deer start seeking out grapes as they ripen in August-September.
  • Fall: October sees peak grape consumption by deer looking to fatten up before winter.
  • Winter: Dormant grape vines offer deer a source of carbohydrates when other foods are scarce.
  • Spring: Emerging grape leaves and buds provide deer with greens and fiber.

Deer rely heavily on grapes as a food source in late summer and fall. But grapes left on vines, fallen fruit, and dormant vines can also attract deer year-round when other options are limited.

Do Deer Eat Both Wild and Cultivated Grape Varieties?

Deer consume both wild/native grapes and cultivated grape varieties. In the wild, they eat smaller fox grape and muscadine grape species. But they will also browse larger, domesticated grapes like:

  • Concord
  • Catawba
  • Niagara
  • French hybrids
  • European vinifera

The high sugar content is likely the biggest draw. But deer may also develop preferences for certain grape varieties, just like humans do.

How Much Damage Can Deer Cause to Grapes?

A deer’s feeding patterns can significantly impact grape crops. Typical types of deer damage to grapes include:

  • Half-eaten grapes: Deer will sample many grapes in a vineyard, often taking just one bite.
  • Trampling: Dense deer populations can trample and destroy vines through over-browsing and walking through vineyards.
  • Buck rubbing: Bucks damage vines and trellising when rubbing their antlers to remove velvet.

In backyard vineyards, deer can quickly strip vines bare. For commercial operations, grape losses average around 5-10% but can reach as high as 80% in extreme cases. Multi-acre vineyards can better withstand grazing pressure.

How to Keep Deer Away from Grapes

Fortunately, there are ways to deter deer from feasting on grape crops. Effective deer deterrents include:

  • Fencing: Tall 8-10 foot woven wire or electric fences keep deer out of vineyards most effectively.
  • Noisemakers: Motion-activated alarms, sprinklers, or distress calls startle deer away.
  • Repellents: Olfactory or taste repellents use smells and tastes deer dislike to condition them to avoid plants.
  • Habitat modification: Clearing brush and vegetation around vineyards removes deer hiding spots and food sources.

The most successful approach combines multiple deterrents like fencing, repellents, and harassment techniques. Continually monitoring and adapting to the deer pressure in your area will also help limit grape crop losses over time.

Key Takeaways on Deer and Grapes

  • Deer enjoy grapes for their sweet taste, nutrients, and calories that help them fatten up.
  • But deer also browse many other crops, not just gravitating to grapes alone.
  • Peak grape consumption occurs in late summer and fall when grapes ripen.
  • Both wild and cultivated grapes varieties are eaten by deer.
  • Deer can cause significant damage through grazing and trampling vines.
  • Control methods like fencing, repellents, and harassment can help limit deer damage.

In summary, grapes offer an attractive seasonal food source for deer. But their flexible diet and ability to adapt to deterrents over time makes minimizing grape losses an ongoing process for backyard growers and vineyards.