Ideas for Hanging Deer Feeders
Hanging deer feeders are used to attract deer to a specific area or to help them survive during critical feeding months. They are used for both viewing of wildlife as well as hunting. Most hanging deer feeders are filled with corn kernels or a similar mixture of vegetables and grains that attract deer for feeding.
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Building Hanging Deer Feeders
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Hanging deer feeders can be made out of a variety of material, including metal or plastic drums, metal tubes and wooden dowels. Most DIY hanging deer feeders include a large barrel that stores the feed and then a tube or dowel, which is inserted into a hole in the bottom of the barrel and controls the outward flow of the feed. Both wooden dowels and metal rods can be placed so that when they are nudged by deer, feed comes slowly out of the barrel. Placing peanut butter on the rod or dowel helps the deer learn to nudge the barrel, releasing the food.
Modifiying Feeders
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Most types of animal feeders can be easily modified to become a hanging deer feeder. Larger bird feeders make great hanging deer feeders, as they are already capable of being suspended from a tree branch. These feeders can be modified to make larger mouth holes to accommodate the deer's larger mouths and teeth. These feeders should be suspended closer to the ground than bird feeders so they are easily reached from the deer's height.
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Placement
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Deer are skittish animals that tend to avoid wandering into open, highly populated locations. Hanging deer feeders are helpful in attracting deer because they are typically hung from a tree in a wooded area. Hanging deer feeders can be placed along the wooded edges of your property, if you would like to observe the deer, or along a common deer trail and in heavily wooded areas. Be wary of popular hunting areas, unless you are attempting to use the deer feeder for hunting.
Time
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Most deer of North America begin mating during the late fall, with gestation lasting throughout the winter. Because of this extra use of energy, deer will need more food and because of the cold conditions, food sources may be difficult to find. Hanging deer finders during these months will see a lot usage. Additionally, birds and squirrels will be less likely to eat from them during this time, as most birds have migrated and many squirrels will have stored food sources.
Regulations
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For the protection of wildlife, most states have regulations in place regarding the use of deer feeders. Some states regulate the use of deer feeders during hunting season, while others ban the use of supplemental feeding for hunting altogether. It is important to contact your state's department of natural resources before using a deer feeder, especially if you are using the feeder for hunting.
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References
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