How to Set Your Deer Feeder
Hunters and landowners use wildlife management techniques to control the wildlife populations on their property along with the trophy quality. One of the most popular management techniques are deer feeders. The deer feeders allow the hunter or landowner to supply additional nutrition to the deer herd while keeping the deer attracted to a specific area. Feeders are available in a variety of styles and types to match the specific location and purpose on your property.
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Instructions
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Locate easy access areas. Some feeders require frequent refills, thus requiring a truck or ATV to carry the heavy sacks of feed. The most popular easy access areas to set a deer feeder include the edges of fields and timber.
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Place several deer feeders in remote locations. While convenient locations allow trucks to carry feed, these areas may not be used by old, mature deer. Set the deer feeder in the corner of a property near a thicket that can't be seen during daylight hours. Older-age-class deer will feel comfortable using these feeders that are surrounded with cover. Use a saw to clear a small area and use a rope to hang the feeder from a limb or branch.
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Set the deer feeders along game trails or travel routes. The best areas to attract a large number of deer occur at natural "pinch points" or "funnels" that are found at creek crossings or where the timber meets a field edge.
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Set the timer for a specific feeding time. Some deer feeders feature a timer that can be set to periodically spread the feed. Typical adjustments are one to six feeding times per day for a specific amount of time such as 1 to 30 seconds. After a deer feeder has followed a specific pattern, the deer will adapt their feeding patterns around the timer.
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Scout the feeder with a trail camera. Using a trail camera allows you to scout the number and quality of deer using the feeder. If the trail camera isn't showing activity at the feeder consider moving the feeder to a new location.
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Fill the feeder year-round. Deer have different nutritional requirements throughout the year and deer feeders allow you to fulfill those needs. Some states, however, prohibit feeding deer during the hunting season.
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Tips & Warnings
Place deer feeders near food plots as a nutritional supplement.
Change the feed throughout the year or use different feed based on the nutrients found in the native forage and grasses.
Consult your local and state regulations about feeding deer before setting a deer feeder.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Whitetail Deer Buck (Odocoileus virginianus) image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com
