Tips About Deer Feeders

By Stephanie Crumley Hill

Instructions

Feeder Placement

Step 1:
Twice daily, at dawn and at dusk, deer travel between their bedding areas and feeding areas. Place your feeder in an established line of travel or where the deer can incorporate it into their routes. The best location for a feeder will vary depending on the patterns and density of deer in your region. Some feeders are designed for use in fields, but most will need to be attached to a stake, pole or tree. If you are placing a deer feeder to observe deer only, you may want to place a feeder near the edge of your backyard; choose a location close enough to your home for observation, but far enough away to avoid spooking the deer. Avoid placing a feeder near areas where you don't want deer, such as near your garden or landscaping.

Feeder Choice

Step 1:
You can choose a commercial feeder or make your own gravity-fed feeder. Commercial feeders may offer a variety of different features, but simple gravity works very well. When considering a commercial feeder, consider how well it will hold up when exposed to the elements; durability is essential in feeders. With any feeder, consider how easily it will be to load with feed and make repairs. All feeders should be mounted high enough that only deer can access them. Homemade feeders made of PVC are easy and inexpensive to construct, but you will need to camouflage them, usually by painting them to blend in with their surroundings. Feeders either dispense food into a pan, or spill it directly onto the ground; if the feeder has a pan, make sure it is attached in such a way that the deer can't pull it off and spill all of the food at one time.

Food Choices

Step 1:
You can purchase deer food that is either grain based or protein based. If you choose a protein feed, you will need to mix it with grain. You might also consider planting self-pollinating apple trees, which will also feed and attract deer; choose a variety that works well in your climate zone. Some deer also are attracted to salt licks, so using one of those can also help draw deer to your feeder.

Resources

More Puppy Pages

Homemade PVC Deer Feeders

PVC deer feeders are the easiest type of feeder to build and set up, and a great way to attract any deer in the area. Whether you're using your deer feeder to attract deer for hunting (where it's legal) or just to catch a glimpse of the animals in the...

Hunters are usually, by nature, an innovative bunch of people who use the environment and the tools they have around them to lure and catch their prey. Many of the devices they use are store-bought, but a good number are homemade, as they are cheaper and...

Creating a bird feeding area is fun and educational for children and adults as well. It can be a welcome alternative to television, and a low-cost way for family members to spend time together. Whether you live in an urban area or the country, in an...

Chickens eat mostly grains and pellets, and should be fed every day. The easiest way to feed chickens is to scatter the food in the area where they commonly spend their time. They will peck at the food, and eat it as they search for it. This most...

More and more people are actively working to preserve nature near their homes and offices. As humans encroach on animal habitats, animals find it more difficult to find food year-round. Many families enjoy seeing deer in the yard on a winter morning and...