How to Build Wooden Deer Feeders

Deer feeders can be used to attract the animals.

A wooden deer feeder is used to dispense grain for deer to feed on. The feeders can be used to feed domesticated deer, or it can be used as an attractant to draw deer into an area for observation or photography. The feeders can also provide feed during stressful weather situations where the normal feed is limited by snow or other factors. A wooden deer feeder can be constructed from scrap lumber.

Things You'll Need

• Exterior plywood, 2 by 4 feet and half-inch thick
• 2 by 2, 10 feet long
• Deck screws 1 1/2 inches
• Deck screws 3 inches
• Fence posts (2)

Instructions

1. Cut the wood for the deer feeder trough. Cut a piece of half-inch exterior plywood to 2 by 4 feet. Cut 2-by-2-inch lumber to form a perimeter lip around the bottom of the feeder. This will require two pieces 4 feet long and two pieces 21 inches long.

2. Fasten the perimeter 2-by-2 boards to the top of the plywood base with 1 1/2-inch deck screws about every 8 inches.

3. Mount the feeder in the appropriate position in the woods or other area where deer gather. Place a wooden fence post at each end of the feeder. Fasten the feeder to the posts with 3-inch deck screws. The feeder can also be attached to trees if they are conveniently placed.

Tips & Warnings

• This type of feeder is designed to be manually refilled and holds about 125 pounds of corn or other grains, according to the website Deer-departed.com. Optionally, automatic feeders could be hung above the trough to automatically dispense feed.

• Extend the support posts to a height of about 6 feet and connect the posts with 2-by-4-inch lumber. Place a tin or metal roof on these 2-by-4s to create a roof to shelter the feed from the weather.

• Check local hunting regulations before hunting at a feeder. Some state laws prohibit hunting over bait. The ethics of this type of hunting is also questionable. However, providing feed to attract deer for observation is allowed in most areas.

References

• Deer-Departed.com: Deer Feeder Trough