Why Feed Deer in the Summer?

Summer is when antlers grow, fawns nurse, and natural forage dries out. Feeding through summer keeps bucks building bone and does in milk, and it keeps deer patterned on your ground before fall. Below: what deer need in summer and how to feed it.

Summer isn’t just a holding pattern between spring green-up and fall scouting. It’s one of the most important seasons to feed deer — especially if your goal is to grow bigger bucks, raise healthier fawns, and keep your herd from wandering.

Feeding deer in summer helps support antler growth, lactating does, fawn development, and even sets up better movement patterns for fall. In this post, we’ll cover exactly why summer feeding matters, what deer need, and how to build a program that pays off in October.

Why Summer Feeding Is So Important

What’s happening with deer in the summer?

From June through August, bucks are in peak antler development, does are nursing young fawns, and deer face increasing heat, insect stress, and shifting food availability. While natural forage is abundant in some regions, it’s often low in quality protein and inconsistent in nutrition.

How summer feed supports your deer long-term

A strong summer feeding program:

Fuels antler growth during peak velvet phase
Boosts milk production in lactating does
Improves fawn survival and bone development
Keeps deer on your property with consistent nutrition
Reduces stress and supports immune health in heat

Key Nutrients Deer Need in the Summer

Why protein is critical in summer

Antlers are made of up to 80% protein by dry weight, and summer is when bucks build their final frame. Does also require protein to recover from birth and produce quality milk.

Target protein range:

Bucks: 16–20%
Does with fawns: 14–16%

What minerals help most in hot weather

Even during summer, deer crave:

Calcium & phosphorus – Antler and skeletal development
Magnesium, copper, zinc – Tissue repair and immunity
Salt – Encourages water intake and helps with mineral absorption

Loose minerals or molasses-based blocks are ideal, especially when placed near shade and water.

Energy and hydration support

Fat and digestible energy are essential, especially in drought-prone or high-heat areas where deer burn extra calories thermoregulating.

Recommended add-ons:

Rice bran or sweet feed
Molasses toppers for scent and calories
Easy water access near feeding zones

Feeding for Antler Growth and Body Condition

When is peak antler growth?

Bucks grow rapidly from late May through August. Missing this window — especially with poor nutrition — can lead to reduced tine length, mass, or symmetry.

What’s the best summer feed for bucks in velvet?

Choose feeds that include:

16–20% crude protein
Balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
Molasses coating for attraction and palatability

Related: What to Feed Deer in Summer

Feeding for Fawn Growth and Doe Recovery

Why summer nutrition makes or breaks fawn survival

Fawns depend on their mother’s milk for the first 6–8 weeks. If the doe lacks protein or calories, she may abandon one of her fawns, or produce poor-quality milk — especially in hot, dry weather.

What should you feed does in summer?

14–16% protein feed
Loose minerals with copper and selenium
Energy-rich supplements (like soybean meal or rice bran)

A well-fed doe raises stronger, healthier fawns with better survival odds — and that sets up your herd’s future.

Summer Feeding Strategy Tips

1. Location matters

Place feeders or feed piles:

In shade (to reduce spoilage)
Near bedding areas
Close to water sources
Away from high-pressure zones

2. Use the right delivery method

Gravity feeders – Quiet and low maintenance
Trough feeders – Great for high-volume herds
Ground piles – Work for quick attraction, but spoil fast in heat

3. Don’t let feed run out

Consistency is key. Deer that visit daily and find empty sites will shift patterns quickly — possibly to your neighbor’s property.

Common Questions About Summer Deer Feeding

Can you feed corn in the summer?

Corn is fine in small amounts, but it lacks protein and can stress digestion in hot weather. Use it as an attractant blended with high-protein feed or molasses.

Are mineral blocks still effective in summer?

Yes — in fact, deer may increase mineral use during hot months to compensate for sweat loss and salt cravings. Use a molasses or fruit-flavored mineral block to improve usage.

Do deer visit feeders less in summer?

Not necessarily. While natural forage is abundant, deer will still hit well-placed feeders — especially those with high protein, sweet-smelling ingredients, and low human pressure.

Final Thoughts: Summer Feeding Is Fall Success in the Making

Feeding deer in the summer might not bring the same excitement as the rut — but it’s where success is built. Bucks in velvet, does with fawns, and yearling deer all depend on strategic, consistent summer nutrition to survive and thrive.

If you want to grow bigger antlers, increase fawn recruitment, and build loyalty to your land — summer is the time to invest.

Ready for fall prep? Read What to Feed Deer During Hunting Season.
Missed the spring boost? Don’t worry — start now with What to Feed Deer in the Growing Season.