Moultrie Deer Feeder Tips
Deer feeders not only draw deer to a specific location, they provide extra nutritional resources throughout the year. In many areas, planting food plots is not possible. Many deer feeders, such as those manufactured by Moultrie, provide supplemental feed on a time-release basis, minimizing the amount of human presence in the area.
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Feed Year-Round
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Many hunters only place supplemental feed in Moultrie feeders during the fall to draw deer to a specific location. While this practice does work, if hunters or property owners wish to produce a healthier deer herd with trophy antlers and increased body weight, they should provide feed year-round. Deer undergo stress periods in both the winter and the summer. Additional proteins can ensure the proper growth for does and antler development for bucks. Dan Moultrie, founder of Moultrie Game Feeders, says on the company's website that providing year-round feed can increase the survival rate of deer for the next year.
Balanced Diet
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In the article "The ABC's of Supplemental Feeding" on the Moultrie Game Feeder website, Mike Lambeth recommends stocking Moultrie feeders with a supplement that provides 12 to 20 percent crude protein. While many hunters simply stock deer feeders with corn, Lambeth recommends either a corn-soybean mixture or a commercially prepared high-protein deer pellet.
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Placement
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Place feeders in natural travel routes for deer. Does frequent deer feeders most often. However, during the rut, bucks will follow does to the feeder. Deer prefer locations close to cover, as they are always on the lookout for predators, including humans. Do not place feeders out in the open. Dominant and mature bucks often only feed during the night in dense thicket conditions. On the Grow the Hunt website, Rich Miller suggests the use of wildlife trail cameras to keep track of the usage of the feeders. The camera will indicate whether or not the feeders are being used when no humans are around.
Maintenance
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Only use cleaned corn in Moultrie feeders. Cleaned corn does not contain cobs, stalks and rocks that will clog or break the motor shaft. Screens are available that filter out debris. Always anchor the feeder at each leg to prevent it from being blown over or knocked down. Protect the timer mechanism by placing a varmint guard over it. Raccoons quickly learn how to reset the timer to release additional feed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit whitetail deer buck image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com
