Deer feeder problems

[YanmarFever]

We put out a self timing deer feeder about 2 weeks ago, its filled with whole corn, theres deer in the area (10' away) but they dont even go near the feeder.

Is this something that the deer need to get used to the feeder hanging there before they approach?

Should we be using a different type of feed?

Hunting season was over 3 weeks ago, but im trying to draw deer to my land for next year.

By the way we filled our tags already

 

[Rara Avis]

Did you get rid of the human odors after you installed it?

 

[gsganzer]

Either they're not used to it yet, they smell people, or you have it hanging too low. I've found that the feeder should be about 6 feet off the ground.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The deer are going to have to get use to the feed source. If you have never fed them there it might take a while till they find it and get use to it.

 

[EddieWalker]

Where did you buy the corn from?

I started out buying it from Walmart and had terrible results. Nothing was eating it, or if they did, it was just a taste and they moved on. My neighbor was haveing great results with his, so I switched suppliers. It was only .50cents more per sack, but the results were fantastic.

It was rare to see anything at the feeder with the Walmart corn. With the feed store corn, we started getting herds of hogs and regular deer visits. It's still not where we want to be, but it keeps getting better.

Eddie

 

[YanmarFever]

Thanks for the replies

The feeder rests 8' off the ground

I think there is no human odor on it

And we bought the corn at the feed store, its whole corn not crumbled.
Maybe I will try a different store next time.

I think you guys are right that it will take time for them to find the feeder

We are going to start putting all of our veggie scraps around it too.

We also have 2 trail cameras out back to see what goes bump in the dark

Thank You for the great advise, I think patience was on short supply on my end.

Ernie

 

[EddieWalker]

Be careful on the scraps. I thought the hogs would love them and during a period of heavy use, I thought I'd sweeten the deal for them and add some leftovers. They disapeared for a week while it sat out there rotting. I had to remove it before they came back. Not learning a lesson, I tried catfish food with the same results, sour milk on bread and beer on dog food. The same thing happened every time. It scared them away and kept them away.

Deer are different, but I would have thought that wild hogs would eat anything. Not here!! Our pigs are picky. hahaha

If you do put scraps out there, be sure to seperate them from your feeder. If they like them, then they will walk to them, but if it's a bad idea, it wills scare them away from everything.

Now might be a bad time too because of acorns. My feeders are totally ignored right now, but as soon as the rains rot the acorns, they will come back to the corn.

Eddie

 

[mnbowhunter1960]

Also mix in deer/elk pellets at about 25% this gives them much better nutrition and they like it a whole lot more, I have also heard that just corn is not good for them if it becomes their only dietary supplement

 

[YanmarFever]

Be careful on the scraps. I thought the hogs would love them and during a period of heavy use, I thought I'd sweeten the deal for them and add some leftovers. They disapeared for a week while it sat out there rotting. I had to remove it before they came back. Not learning a lesson, I tried catfish food with the same results, sour milk on bread and beer on dog food. The same thing happened every time. It scared them away and kept them away.

Deer are different, but I would have thought that wild hogs would eat anything. Not here!! Our pigs are picky. hahaha

If you do put scraps out there, be sure to seperate them from your feeder. If they like them, then they will walk to them, but if it's a bad idea, it wills scare them away from everything.

Now might be a bad time too because of acorns. My feeders are totally ignored right now, but as soon as the rains rot the acorns, they will come back to the corn.

Eddie

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Eddie, Thanks for the info on the scraps, I will set them in 1 spot about 15' away from the corn, also I have over 200 oak trees in my back 20, so what you said about the acorns probably applies here too

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Bowhunter , Im going to look into the deer pellets, and mix them with the corn.
Once I get them eating from the feeder I will put out the camera, Im munching on deer pepperoni as I type this YUM !

 

[YanmarFever]

Did you get rid of the human odors after you installed it?

Paul, whats the best way to mask human odor once you have touched the feeder ?

Tractor Ernie