I saw a first today...I live outside of Longview, land of pine trees, and one of my backyard bucks a young six point, ate at the feeder, then the clover patch, then the turnip patch, and then ate on pine needles off a pine top blowdown from the storm a couple of nights earlier...I didnt think they found anything appealing other than a rubbing post from pines but guess he liked it, he ate on it for a good five minutes before walking down to the protein feeder for a bite. I really enjoy watching deer on the back of my 17 acres they are a hoot!

Part of a balanced diet I guess!

Man, that is too cool. I would have never guessed that they would eat Pine. I have seen them eat cedar years ago in Mason cty ('83-84) of course back then that country was WAY overpopulated with deer. It wasn't unusual to see 10-12-doe at a feeder with NO Bucks. Maybe they want to have fresh breath for the ladies?

He can eat them in my yard anytime!

He was back for more this morning at daylight...and again he hit every food source like he was at the buffet...lol hope he brings his girlfriends, kids, and running buddies back with him soon...

maybe he likes scotch

Needed the FIBER.

HMmmmmmm I seem to remember a somewhat heated debate about some bucks that supposedly got big from eating oak leefs..

Hope he doesn’t get a bad case of the pine chits.

They do eat oak leaves.

The debate wasnt wether they would or wouldnt consume them, it was over the effects on antler growth.

I have lion's share of pine...if it will grow bigger antlers I will gas up the chainsaw....

I have plenty in my backyard if anybody wants some!!!

That buck is most likely snacking of the buds of the future pine cones!

That or the buds for the blooms.

Perhaps he just wants some grape nuts cereal. Euell Gibbons Quotes "Ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible"

WOW!!!! I haven't thought of him in FOREVER!! I remember him in the old Grape Nuts commercials. Thanks for the blast from the past.

Bet your right, I was watching him with binos at about 100yds so that was most likely what he was eating as he didn't stay at one spot he was moving all around the tree top.

They will eat buds from many trees/ plants that they won't eat when mature. Buds in general have higher sugar/starch content, are more easily digestible and higher moisture content. Unless there is no other food source available, they will not chose to eat pine needles. (Yes my undergrad degree is in forest resources/ wildlife science, I just didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night)

Awesome! I sure regret not going to college after getting out of the Marines, had a family of four and just had to make ends meet and let the time get away from me. Big regret but I would have pursued the same degree. Thanks for the info.