Tom,

Deer rarely consume the flower portion of clover.  They prefer the fresh growing vegetative portion of the plant – specifically the leaves.  Mowing will encourage production of new leaves.  I’ll be mowing my clover as soon as it is dry enough.  I don’t mow when it is wet as the cut vegetation tends to remain in clumps and shade out the vegetation beneath the clumps.  I also don’t mow clover during periods of stress such as drought, etc.

In practical terms, I mow clover at least once during the spring, and maybe twice, depending on the variety and growing conditions.  I don’t like white clover to be more than 30% flower as this indicates a lot of energy being used to produce flowers versus new leaves – the forage deer desire and will benefit from.

Remember that deer remove huge amounts of nutrients by browsing on clover.  These nutrients must be replaced (fertilizer) to maintain a healthy crop.  The more deer and other critters consume, the more fertilizer will be required to maintain a healthy crop.  It is less expensive and easier to maintain a healthy crop than to reestablish a new crop.

Growing Deer together,

Grant