What dietary shift occurs as summer progresses because forbs begin increasing in lignin content?
Answer
Deer shift toward second-choice browse species and early-ripening soft mast
As the growing season advances into mid-summer, the highly palatable and high-protein forbs begin to mature. This maturation process involves an increase in lignin, a structural component that makes the plant matter less palatable and significantly less digestible. To manage this decline in quality, deer naturally adjust their intake, moving their foraging focus to secondary preferred woody browse species or beginning to consume soft mast items like wild grapes or various berries that start ripening, thus managing their energy requirements during the demanding period leading up to lactation.
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