How to Make Legs for Deer Feeders

The legs of a deer feeder support the feeder for use in areas where deer feeders cannot be hung between or from trees, such as in the middle of a field. Whether your deer feeder is made of an aluminum trash can, a 5-gallon bucket or an old standing feeder that's lost its legs, you can build wooden legs for any type of feeder.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Approximately 10 2-inch by 4-inch pieces of lumber
• Hammer
• Nails
• Screws
• Screw gun
• Saw
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Spray paint in camouflage colors
• Carpenter's square
• Safety goggles
• Gloves

1. Measure the bottom of your deer feeder using the tape measure to determine the size of the frame to which you will attach the legs. The deer feeder's frame needs to be large enough for your feeder to set inside and be easily removed for refills--roughly 1 inch wider on all sides than the feeder.

2. Use the carpenter's tool and pencil to mark the 2-inch by 4-inch pieces of lumber in the length determined in Step 1, and the saw to cut them at a straight angle.

3. Nail together two squares using four pieces of lumber, then connect the two squares at all four corners using four more pieces of lumber at equal lengths.

4. Decide what height you want your legs to be and again use the carpenter's tool to mark the leg boards. Mark both ends of each board to have 45-degree angles, and cut the boards accordingly.

5. Attach the legs to the frame by placing an end of a leg in the center of one side of the frame's bottom, and secure with screws or nails. The angle of the leg should set flush against the feeder frame. Repeat this step on the other three sides with the remaining legs. The deer feeder should now stand on the ground with the other angled ends of the legs sitting flat on the ground.

6. Spray-paint the frame and legs in alternating patterns of camouflage paint that match the area in which you will use the feeder.

7. Allow the paint to dry, then place your feeder in its new frame, atop its new legs.

Tips & Warnings

• Attaching the legs to the feeder frame is easier with the help of another person who can help you hold the pieces in place. You may need to place a supporting beam on the bottom side of the frame so that the feeder does not fall through the frame. If necessary, offset the supporting beam or beams so that they do not block the feeder from releasing its contents. Angling the ends of the boards will make your legs splay out diagonally rather than vertically, leaving more space between the legs.

References

• Standing deer feeder