Feeder

[TrunDMC]

I recently acquired a small parcel of land that had an abandoned feeder. I don't believe it had been used for at least 3 years. I changed out the motor, loaded up 120lbs of corn and set it to go off twice per day. It's been a few weeks, so far, I'm getting pictures of does showing up multiple times per day, and a few racoons. I have zero experience with feeders or owning land, but my goal was to basically have fun and try to get an inventory of what is passing through the property. My questions - why am I not seeing any bucks come through? And is this something I should even be doing all summer long? Is this beneficial or pointless? I've read late winter is when a feeder is most helpful, so am I wasting time and energy and corn on this?

 

[Deer Assassin]

To many does. I am literally down the street from you. I have 3 acres and usually kill deer off of it . Some years more some less.

Years I hammer the does the next summer nothing but bucks years I lay off of does I have nothing but does in the summer.

 

[Atchman2]

I recently acquired a small parcel of land that had an abandoned feeder. I don't believe it had been used for at least 3 years. I changed out the motor, loaded up 120lbs of corn and set it to go off twice per day. It's been a few weeks, so far, I'm getting pictures of does showing up multiple times per day, and a few racoons. I have zero experience with feeders or owning land, but my goal was to basically have fun and try to get an inventory of what is passing through the property. My questions - why am I not seeing any bucks come through? And is this something I should even be doing all summer long? Is this beneficial or pointless? I've read late winter is when a feeder is most helpful, so am I wasting time and energy and corn on this?

It takes a while sometimes for stuff to figure out it is there. To be honest, I hardly ever see bucks on the feeder camera. I have taken my feeder down because it attracts too many BEARS. I didn't use the feeders for deer hunting anyway, they were mostly to group up the wild hogs. I am amazed at the wildlife though that will show up at them. Deer, Elk, Wild Boar, Bears, Raccoons, Possums, Coyotes, and sometimes a Bobcat. I honestly get more of a kick out of seeing what is walking through the area than I do hunting it.

 

[TrunDMC]

To many does. I am literally down the street from you. I have 3 acres and usually kill deer off of it . Some years more some less.

Years I hammer the does the next summer nothing but bucks years I lay off of does I have nothing but does in the summer.

I've got 5-6 bucks on camera, just none ever at the feeder and thought that was interesting. Looks like I live close to you, but this place is actually in McEwen. Regardless, sounds like I need to shoot some does this year lol

 

[Smo]

I'm not a big fan of corn feeders, they attract too many other critters..

Give me a block of pink Himalayan salt any day..

 

[BSK]

Every property is different, and the deer on those properties are different. But I have seen situations where older bucks WOULD NOT come to corn in summer. I could get plenty of yearling bucks, but no older bucks. On one property where I was getting no older bucks, I tried an experiment where I placed 6 corn piles and cameras, and six salt licks with cameras. I intentionally placed some of the salt licks near the monitored corn. I eventually got an older buck or two on the corn cameras, but the bucks were not feeding, just passing by on their way to the salt licks. I got plenty of older bucks on the salt licks.

Be forewarned that even in a closed feeder, with our summer humidity, corn can grow enough aflatoxin producing mold that the corn becomes deadly to birds that eat it, especially turkey. Turkey are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning. It would take a lot of aflatoxin to make deer sick, but only tiny amounts can kill turkey. I've seen that happen with my own eyes - turkey just lying dead within 100 yards of a feeder. Predators didn't get them, poisoning did.

 

[TrunDMC]

I'm not a big fan of corn feeders, they attract too many other critters..

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Give me a block of pink Himalayan salt any day..

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Ha! Cool pictures and good info. I did set a trophy rock out on a stump - but only the does seem to care about it...maybe I just need to be patient.

 

[TrunDMC]

Every property is different, and the deer on those properties are different. But I have seen situations where older bucks WOULD NOT come to corn in summer. I could get plenty of yearling bucks, but no older bucks. On one property where I was getting no older bucks, I tried an experiment where I placed 6 corn piles and cameras, and six salt licks with cameras. I intentionally placed some of the salt licks near the monitored corn. I eventually got an older buck or two on the corn cameras, but the bucks were not feeding, just passing by on their way to the salt licks. I got plenty of older bucks on the salt licks.

Be forewarned that even in a closed feeder, with our summer humidity, corn can grow enough aflatoxin producing mold that the corn becomes deadly to birds that eat it, especially turkey. Turkey are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning. It would take a lot of aflatoxin to make deer sick, but only tiny amounts can kill turkey. I've seen that happen with my own eyes - turkey just lying dead within 100 yards of a feeder. Predators didn't get them, poisoning did.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I've read that about aflatoxin but wasn't sure how common it occurred. Not sure if I will keep it going all summer or not. Maybe I won't.

 

[BSK]

Another thing to think about is deer seasonal ranges, and this applies most strongly to bucks. I have seen properties that hold few bucks in summer. Deer are not territorial per se, but does with fawns will definitely establish and defend a fawning territory from other deer. Survival of nursing does, and their fawns, are far more important from a "survival of the species" aspect, than the survival of bucks, so does and their fawns get the best habitat in summer. Bucks often group up in bachelor groups in summer, but these bachelor groups often inhabit the poorer quality habitat. What I'm getting at is, other than the rut, deer often display strong sexual segregation, with female groups inhabit one area and bucks a completely different area. Only as the rut approaches do bucks suddenly start travelling through high doe concentration areas. Again, I have seen properties that hold few bucks in summer, but then they are flooded with bucks come the rut.

My place is one of those type set-ups. We will pick up dozens of does and their fawns in summer, but only a handful of bucks, most of them young. Then, once bucks start dispersing away from their summer bachelor groups in fall, we are flooded with bucks, sometimes picking up 40+ bucks during the hunting season, with some of them being mature. And we see the same bucks moving in each fall, only for them to vanish in spring. Obviously, they live somewhere nearby, but not on our place in summer.

 

[TNCharlie]

I recently acquired a small parcel of land that had an abandoned feeder. I don't believe it had been used for at least 3 years. I changed out the motor, loaded up 120lbs of corn and set it to go off twice per day. It's been a few weeks, so far, I'm getting pictures of does showing up multiple times per day, and a few racoons. I have zero experience with feeders or owning land, but my goal was to basically have fun and try to get an inventory of what is passing through the property. My questions - why am I not seeing any bucks come through? And is this something I should even be doing all summer long? Is this beneficial or pointless? I've read late winter is when a feeder is most helpful, so am I wasting time and energy and corn on this?

Put out a trace mineral block. Put it in a spot where you don't mind a hole being dug. It's okay to place it on a rock or stump but on the ground is fine (especially for the first one); it just won't last as long. It will slowly dissolve into the ground. Lots of critters will come around but the deer will love it. When one block dissolves, replace it. I don't know of any drawbacks to a salt lick - certainly not as much as with corn.

I put one on a rock in the back of my place many years ago. Well, I thought it was a rock. The deer have now dug a big hole all around it - turns out it is a
boulder. I get pix of a long list of critters and even hawks and owls.

Have fun.

 

[Smo]

Ha! Cool pictures and good info. I did set a trophy rock out on a stump - but only the does seem to care about it...maybe I just need to be patient.

Grasshopper….

I didn't mention trophy rock..
I can't get them to eat that here either..

The stump in that pic is now mostly ate down and only a couple of roots still remain..

 

[MickThompson]

I recently acquired a small parcel of land that had an abandoned feeder. I don't believe it had been used for at least 3 years. I changed out the motor, loaded up 120lbs of corn and set it to go off twice per day. It's been a few weeks, so far, I'm getting pictures of does showing up multiple times per day, and a few racoons. I have zero experience with feeders or owning land, but my goal was to basically have fun and try to get an inventory of what is passing through the property. My questions - why am I not seeing any bucks come through? And is this something I should even be doing all summer long? Is this beneficial or pointless? I've read late winter is when a feeder is most helpful, so am I wasting time and energy and corn on this?

How small is small? What species are you interested in?

 

[TrunDMC]

How small is small? What species are you interested in?

30 acres. Mostly deer.

 

[MickThompson]

30 acres. Mostly deer.

Doe groups have a home range of 400 or so acres. Bucks will use 600-1000 acres. I wouldn't put any stock in an inventory on less than 500 acres honestly.

My suggestions -
I'd can the feeder, especially during summer. Deer need protein, not carbs right now. On top of that, getting does habituated to a corn feeder can get your neighborhood fawns pounded by coyotes and bobcats that key in on feeders too. Same for turkeys. Run your summer cams on salt. If the bucks are around, you'll still get pics.

If you like doing habitat work,take your corn budget and manage the hound out of what you've got. Kill and cut trees, spray invasive plants, set some fires, plant some plots. Make your property the place to be.

Hunt the buck(s) that excite you and shoot a few does. Don't worry about genetics. You can't do anything about it with 3,000 acres, much less 30.

 

[TrunDMC]

Doe groups have a home range of 400 or so acres. Bucks will use 600-1000 acres. I wouldn't put any stock in an inventory on less than 500 acres honestly.

My suggestions -
I'd can the feeder, especially during summer. Deer need protein, not carbs right now. On top of that, getting does habituated to a corn feeder can get your neighborhood fawns pounded by coyotes and bobcats that key in on feeders too. Same for turkeys. Run your summer cams on salt. If the bucks are around, you'll still get pics.

If you like doing habitat work,take your corn budget and manage the hound out of what you've got. Kill and cut trees, spray invasive plants, set some fires, plant some plots. Make your property the place to be.

Hunt the buck(s) that excite you and shoot a few does. Don't worry about genetics. You can't do anything about it with 3,000 acres, much less 30.

Thanks for the info. All makes sense. I plan on doing the habitat work eventually, just getting started and not sure where to start. But enjoying the heck out of it so far.

 

[MickThompson]

Thanks for the info. All makes sense. I plan on doing the habitat work eventually, just getting started and not sure where to start. But enjoying the heck out of it so far.

It's a hobby/addiction all its own

 

[BSK]

It's a hobby/addiction all its own

You said a mouthful there. I realize those who haven't been there yet won't believe this, but eventually the habitat management becomes more fun than the hunting.

I was deer hunting fanatic who became a research scientist who studies deer population dynamics. I am FAR more addicted to using cameras to watch deer population dynamics change over time than I am the actual hunting. The hunting is now just a side benefit. I never thought that would happen. I used to live, eat, and breath hunting. Now I can't wait to see what is on camera.

 

[TrunDMC]

After running my own cameras on my own land for the first time, I completely get it. It has replaced doom scrolling through social media for me

 

[Smo]

After running my own cameras on my own land for the first time, I completely get it. It has replaced doom scrolling through social media for me

Does the property have a water source? Year around?

If not create one, even on 30 acres deer need water , food and cover..

Probably what you'll find is one or two deer may " live " on your place , but most will be just passing thru until you've had time too get everything set like you want it …
Good Luck

 

[TrunDMC]

Does the property have a water source? Year around?

If not create one, even on 30 acres deer need water , food and cover..

Probably what you'll find is one or two deer may " live " on your place , but most will be just passing thru until you've had time too get everything set like you want it …
Good Luck

Yep on the water source. It's basically one big creek bottom with a spring, and surrounding ridges. Not sure if it holds water year round or not yet , but I think it does. Never seen it empty and it's super cold! Maybe I'll find out for sure with this heat next week

 

[Smo]

That's definitely a plus

 

[DoubleRidge]

Agree with others. The negatives of feeding corn in hot humid weather far outweigh the few positives. In addition to it not being good for deer, aflatoxin is deadly to turkey poults and song birds.
Also, you dont want to prop up nest raider populations by feeding them corn. Spend that corn money on chainsaw gas and open up some canopy, let sunlight in and develop some healthy forage for the deer as well as some good fawning and nesting cover. Habitat work is very rewarding. Give back more than you take and you'll have a nice place to enjoy creation. Enjoy the process.

 

[TrunDMC]

I appreciate the knowledge. I think I'll let it run out and call it quits.

I definitely plan on opening up some canopy, it's all timber. Have a lot of thorny/crappy undergrowth in some areas that could be great. I'll probably need to pay someone with more expertise than me to come and help do that all at once. Told myself "next year" after deer season. When would be best time to do that kind of work? Now?

 

[MickThompson]

I appreciate the knowledge. I think I'll let it run out and call it quits.

I definitely plan on opening up some canopy, it's all timber. Have a lot of thorny/crappy undergrowth in some areas that could be great. I'll probably need to pay someone with more expertise than me to come and help do that all at once. Told myself "next year" after deer season. When would be best time to do that kind of work? Now?

I'd hunt it a year to "get to know it". You'll have a laundry list of projects by the end of deer season. Chainsaw work is much nicer in January than July.

 

[DoubleRidge]

I appreciate the knowledge. I think I'll let it run out and call it quits.

I definitely plan on opening up some canopy, it's all timber. Have a lot of thorny/crappy undergrowth in some areas that could be great. I'll probably need to pay someone with more expertise than me to come and help do that all at once. Told myself "next year" after deer season. When would be best time to do that kind of work? Now?

Anytime can be benifical to do timber work...but no doubt cooler weather is easier...and if you have any marketable timber you may want to work with a Forester to develop a timber management plan or you can also work with a TWRA private lands biologist to develop a habitat management plan. Several options to get some assistance. Tons of resources and information available online as well. There are some very knowledgeable guys on TnDeer that are always willing to share ideas and experiences...also research guys like Dr Craig Harper who has written several publications on habitat management and has several YouTube videos. Tons of material to study on and research. Its very rewarding to modify habitat and watch wildlife respond.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Have a lot of thorny/crappy undergrowth in some areas that could be great.

Also remember.....sometimes we have to adjust our idea of what we think looks nice....the thorny briars and undergrowth in some areas may be good. Just saying that sometimes good wildlife habitat may not "look" good by some peoples standards....think diversity, if the whole place is timber...you might consider creating multiple smaller openings. You can plant some openings and just let some grow up. So many options that can be benifical.