Thinking about a supplemental deer feeding program. I live in a subdivision and my property backs up to a common area that includes a creek/storm runoff. There is almost always running water. My property also is on a corner and the deer cross the street to continue down the common area. I am talking a lot of deer (well I think so at least). On any given day, I will see anywhere from 2-3 or up to 10 or more deer pass through our yard to cross the street. I have been tossing out apples, some whole kernel corn and peanuts for them, but am thinking about something better. I want to make a simple trough feeder and put it on one corner of my lot. As to the feed, I am thinking about a mix of apple, corn, and peanuts. Should I grind the corn and peanuts and add apple and make like a “food ball”? Yes, I have some time on my hands (thanks Covid). Or should I leave everything whole and throw it in feeder together? Peanuts shelled or unshelled? Or, should I buy premixed feed? Thoughts/Opinions!!
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Supplemental Deer Feeding Program
- Thread starter robrossk
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In Texas where you can deer hunt over feeders or feed dumped on the ground, we use apple scented corn that we buy at local feed store. Takes care of 2 of your 3 foods They also have orange scented.
Of course, we have so many deer (mostly under 100 lbs) you could put out vomit scented corn and they would still eat it.
Of course, we have so many deer (mostly under 100 lbs) you could put out vomit scented corn and they would still eat it.
ColbyBruce
Member
I too live in a subdivision with a small wooded area behind my house. I put out corn, apples, peanuts, pumpkins, salt blocks, as well as chicken/rib/steak bones. I have nine deer, three raccoons, two coyotes, one possum, two foxes and 1.5 million squirrels and chipmunks.
The squirrels and chipmunks will tote off the peanuts if you put them out before dark. A 50# bag of peanuts cost $64.95 plus tax here. I started putting out peanuts at dusk. I bought two game cameras and set them out.
Deer are picky, they ate carrots until I bought a 10# bag then they stopped. They wouldn’t eat corn during the winter and refused to eat a few varieties of apples.
My grandchildren enjoy putting out the food so I keep it on hand. I would invest in an automatic feeder but then I would have to buy batteries for it. The game cameras eat batteries like they are candy.
The squirrels and chipmunks will tote off the peanuts if you put them out before dark. A 50# bag of peanuts cost $64.95 plus tax here. I started putting out peanuts at dusk. I bought two game cameras and set them out.
Deer are picky, they ate carrots until I bought a 10# bag then they stopped. They wouldn’t eat corn during the winter and refused to eat a few varieties of apples.
My grandchildren enjoy putting out the food so I keep it on hand. I would invest in an automatic feeder but then I would have to buy batteries for it. The game cameras eat batteries like they are candy.
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OP
ColbyBruce - I like your setup. May try that first.
Always interests me to see how laws and accepted norms vary by area and state. Around here, feeding a deer will get you in serious trouble with the law. The reason is something everyone will recognize for a different reason...social distancing. Our deer biologist's consider feeding deer a high risk for spreading disease, so its banned.
OP
I reached out to the our regional State Natural Resource office "deer expert" but never got a reply - email and f/u and then phone call and f/u. Nothing. That said, I will check on the laws. Thanks for pointing that out.
Whole grain corn is the absolute best. Anywhere.
OP
Saw that from 2017 - thanks. Currently, my county has no feeding restriction related to CWD.
schutzen-jager
Member
did you think of the damage that they cause ? - attracting more means garden damage , lost shrubs . landscaping , auto accidents , Lyme disease , + etc. - local towns pay professional snipers to eliminate them - i live in town of 125000 , 6 miles from Staten Island + 12 miles from NYC - no large wood near , but at times there are herds in my back yard - i buy deer repellant + not food for them -
vonn
US Veteran
Feeders in Texas feed everything in the food chain from insects to non native exotics. Game cams will record every critter in your neighborhood. Some animals do damage lawns,crops, etc.
Jack Flash
SWCA Member
Boy, I sure hope "f/u" means "follow up" and not ... uh ... something else.
Rpg
Member
Feeding deer, or other game animals, is illegal in Colorado.
Here in Colorado, you can’t bait deer.
Here in Colorado, you can’t bait deer.
Here in Texas, deer feeders are everywhere, and legal. I don't hunt deer anymore, but still feed them year round. I use two feeders - one solar powered with a timer set to scatter whole corn twice a day - for only 7 seconds, and the other is a "drop feeder" that uses only high protein mix feed. That feeder is used from the beginning of Jan until mid Summer - like now. The protein helps the Does and their fawns through the Winter, and helps in antler growth. We're probably on our tenth generation of deer, and they know us as one of their own.
OP
Boy, I sure hope "f/u" means "follow up" and not ... uh ... something else.
Yes... f/u is follow-up and not the other
SC_Mike
Member
Don't forget mineral licks.
Feeders bring in all sorts of critters. Enjoy!
Feeders bring in all sorts of critters. Enjoy!
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