Deer Feeders

I just throw a hand full of corn in front of the trail cams to see whats still around.

Thanks for the reply.

Here is my set up i just posted HoytBC
http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2923871#Post2923871

Won't debate legality or ethics of feeding.

But if you feed, great care must be taken. If deer are not used to eating corn, it takes a while to develop the right bacteria in their digestive system to handle the corn. Or whatever.

Feeding deer unusual food could actually cause them to starve or become malnourished, as they will fill up on it but not be able to digest it.

That's why in bad winters, just dumping corn in areas where the deer are not used to eating corn does more harm than good.

DethFrumAbv- you bring up some very good points. Also, with minerals you have to be aware of disease exposure. Not fully confermed, but some biologists do advise it could be a factor in spreading certain diseases. RedWolf23- That is quite the set-up. I like it alot.

Every winter I'm doing timber stand improvements, releasing apple trees and soft mast producing shrubs, creating or enhancing bedding areas by creating structure on the forest floor, etc.
In the process every tree I cut down helps feed the deer. It's certainly not coming out of a feeder, and it's not corn. Over 2 decades doing this and activities from 20 years ago still benefit the deer today.
So my point is investing time and money in long term habitat improvement projects is a better allocation of resources than putting up a feeder and filling it with corn.

Yes I put out a feeder in the offseason, mine will be out in the next few days. I feed grains, oats, and corn which are all readily available in farmers fields around our land during warmer months. It allows me to see what deer are still around and it keeps the deer on or close our land when shedding antlers, which is another big reason I do it is to hopefuly find more sheds.

I also feed alfalfa hay during the winter months, especially at times of extended cold temps or snow. I keep it off the ground to keep moisture out of it and the deer absolutely love it, plus it seems to last longer and is inexpensive in my area, I got bales last year for $5 and they last 2 weeks which is better than $20 of corn, oats, grains that lasts 1-2 weeks if I am lucky!

Spent a couple hours hinge cutting today so I guess I was re-filling the feeder and pretty much assuring that the feeder will be full next year too.

Thanks HoytBc! I apprciate it! If you ever want to build a corn feeder like that and have a question feel free to ask.

this time of year having a winter wheat or rye plot will help. yeah its not the greatest plot for deer but anything that is still green this time of year the deer really hammer when other food sources arent readily avalible.

plant the wheat or rye with other seed and you have a plot you can hunt during season and it is still green and benifiting the deer during the harsh winter months.

HomeintheWoods said:

In the process every tree I cut down helps feed the deer.

Click to expand...

Excellent tip there Home. I read more than once that some tree species have a defense where their leaves taste bitter to deer when in full green. That's why they eat the buds, then leave them alone, then eat the yellowed leaves in the fall.

Cutting not only provides easier access food, which the local deer are certainly used to eating, it helps the habitat and might provide some convenient shooting lanes.