Deer highly value and actively seek out clover, a legume commonly used in wildlife management and agriculture. Clover is a preferred food source because it offers exceptional nutritional value compared to many native browse species. Its sustained appeal makes it a popular choice for landowners and wildlife enthusiasts looking to provide a reliable, high-quality food source.
The Nutritional Appeal of Clover
Clover is an exceptionally high-quality forage because its leaves are tender, making them highly palatable and easy for deer to consume repeatedly. Deer are ruminants with relatively small rumens, and clover’s low-lignin content translates into a high total digestible nutrient (TDN) level, often ranging from 70 to 80 percent. This high digestibility means the deer can efficiently extract the energy and nutrients it needs from the plant, promoting better overall body condition.
Clover provides high protein content, which can range from 15 to over 30 percent crude protein, depending on the variety and management practices. This protein level is significantly higher than that of most native forage and is utilized to support several biological processes. For bucks, this high protein fuels the rapid growth of antlers during the spring and summer months.
For does, the high protein supports the demands of gestation and lactation, ensuring they can produce the high-quality milk needed to nurse fawns. Clover also contains minerals, including calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for skeletal development and antler mineralization. This dense, easily digestible nutrition supports the health and reproductive success of the entire deer population.
Preferred Clover Varieties for Forage
Clover varieties are broadly categorized into perennials and annuals, and each type offers distinct advantages for deer forage based on longevity and growth habit. Perennial clovers, such as White Clover and Ladino Clover, are highly favored because they can persist for multiple years, sometimes five or more, with appropriate management. White clover is a low-growing variety that spreads by surface runners called stolons, which allows it to withstand heavy and continuous grazing pressure.
Ladino clover is a large-leafed type of white clover that offers greater forage production due to its larger size and slightly taller growth. While these perennial types offer long-term consistency and high palatability, they generally require fertile, well-drained soils and can struggle in regions with harsh, prolonged winters. Their spreading growth habit is advantageous in high-traffic areas where deer browse frequently.
Annual clovers, like Crimson Clover, complete their life cycle within a single year and must be replanted seasonally. Crimson clover is a cool-season annual that establishes quickly in the fall and provides essential nutrition during the cooler months when other forages are dormant. This rapid growth makes it valuable for providing a quick food source, especially in late fall and winter.
Red Clover is a short-lived perennial, often classified as a biennial, and is more tolerant of slightly acidic soils and drought conditions than white clover. It grows taller than white clover, producing a large amount of biomass, which is beneficial in areas with lower deer density. Because its palatability is sometimes slightly lower than white clover, it is often incorporated into mixes to diversify the forage options.
Managing Clover for Deer Consumption
Establishing a productive clover plot begins with correcting the soil chemistry. Clover is sensitive to soil acidity and thrives best in a near-neutral pH range, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. A soil test determines the existing pH level and indicates exactly how much agricultural lime is required to reach the target range.
Applying lime is a process of neutralizing soil acidity, which allows clover to better absorb other applied nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. Depending on the soil test results, it may take one to two tons of lime per acre to raise the pH by a single point. It is beneficial to apply lime three to six months before planting, as it requires time to react with the soil and effectively adjust the pH.
Clover requires a shallow planting depth, typically no more than a quarter-inch, with firm seed-to-soil contact essential for successful germination. Planting is generally timed for early spring or late summer, allowing the seedlings to establish themselves before the stress of summer heat or winter cold. Proper maintenance is also needed to keep the plot productive and palatable.
Mowing is a standard management practice that helps control competing weeds and stimulates fresh, tender growth that deer prefer. Mowing should occur when the clover begins to flower, clipping off the blossoms and any competing weed seed heads while leaving the majority of the clover intact. Weed control is often managed with specific herbicides, such as those containing imazamox, which can be applied to remove undesirable grasses and broadleaf weeds without harming the clover.