How high should a deer trough be

The sides of the trough should be around 24 inches off the ground to allow fawns to access the feeder. The dimensions of the trough pictured are about 2ft wide and 5ft long. This will easily hold an average of 200lbs of feed.

How high should a deer feeder be off the ground?

38 to 40 inches to the bottom of the tube is a great height for deer. Harder for Coons to reach, but the big ones can. fawns will struggle a bit, but will eat what falls out..

Where do you hang a deer feeder?

You might want to place it near trees large enough to place a tree stand or an area with natural-looking ground blinds or man-made ground blinds. No matter what your weapon of choice is, be sure to position your stand downwind of the feeder and deer travel routes coming and going.

Will wild deer eat out of a trough?

Select a high quality deer feeder Free-choice self-feeders protect pellets and provide them to deer whenever they want to eat. Because deer eat several times a day, professionally made free-choice feeders (or even trough feeders) can be the best way to feed deer for maximum intake and antler growth.

When should I set up a deer feeder?

Early spring to mid spring is a good rule of thumb to start your spring deer feeding program. This roughly coincides as food plots will start being planted. Bucks will still be recovering from the rut and the past winter, but they’ll be also transitioning into starting new antler growth.

How do you know if a deer smells you?

If a mature buck circles in somewhere downwind of your stand and smells you, he might just melt away into the brush. But an ornery old doe might stand out there and blow like crazy, alerting every deer within a half-mile that she smells a rat. Either way your hunt is probably ruined.

What do deer like better than corn?

Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for deer. They are a much better option than corn or hay. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut.

Are protein pellets good for deer?

Protein pellets contain a balanced ration with micro and macro nutrients and is used to supplement the natural diet of deer to help them maintain a consistent and high level of health and body condition–which translates to increase body weight, fawn production and antler growth.

Do deer drink water every day?

In the warmer months, deer lose water through their urine, droppings and breathe while panting. When the temperatures rise; their need for water increases. A whitetail needs about two to three quarts of water per day, per 100 pounds of body weight.

How long will it take deer to get used to a feeder?

It normally takes around three weeks for deer to get used to a feeder. During this transition phase, you should avoid doing any maintenance work on your feeder and let the herd get accustomed to their new food source.

Article first time published on

Do feeders scare big bucks?

No, spin feeders won’t scare deer. They get used to them, just like they get used to hunters coming and going, vehicles, tractors and other stuff. Mature bucks also will come to feeders.

Is a deer feeder worth it?

Deer feeders have positive benefits if well managed, but making sure that wildlife has access to food plots is a better strategy. … Research from South Carolina shows the vast majority of feeder visits by deer were at night. Check your own trail camera pictures and see if this is what you find.

Is deer corn bad for deer?

Many articles, presentations, and campfire conversations about deer nutrition state emphatically that corn is not good for deer. In a general sense, this is true because corn is low in protein (9%), has a poor mineral profile, and can cause digestive upset and metabolic problems.

How do I attract deer to my deer feeder?

An important step of how to attract deer to your feeder is to introduce corn, then mix in pellets gradually. Once you’ve picked out a prime location, set up the feeder. Even if you’ll be using pellets, the form which most supplemental nutrition comes in, start out with corn. Scatter a bag around the feeder.

Are salt licks good for deer?

Salt Or Supplement? All hooved mammals love salt, so licks made only of salt do a fine job of attracting deer. Licks with added flavors, minerals and nutrients can be even better, especially if you find one the deer in your area really love.

How far away can a deer smell you?

ANSWER: Under normal conditions, a deer can smell a human that is not making any attempt to hide its odor at least 1/4 mile away. If the scenting conditions are perfect (humid with a light breeze), it can even be farther. So they are pretty impressive.

What is the best thing to feed deer in the summer?

During the summer, don’t only use corn when feeding deer. Instead, combine it with a supplemental source of protein. It’s tempting to stock the feeder full of corn, but it’s not a good source of protein – only around seven to 10 percent. Rather, it’s mostly carbohydrates, which is needed more in the winter months.

What food can deer not resist?

Deer Cane Black Magic. Cabela’s. Black Magic by Evolved Habitat has made its mark in the deer attractant category. …
Apple-Flavored Attractants. Amazon. …
Orange-Flavored Deer Corn. Orange Corn Company. …
C’mere Deer. Bass Pro Shops. …
Tecomate. Amazon.

What should you not feed deer?

Do not feed hay, corn, kitchen scraps, potatoes, lettuce trimmings or any animal proteins from animals rendered into feed. Deer may actually starve when fed supplemental foods during winter if they have a full belly of indigestible foods.

Will deer eat oatmeal?

If formulated deer food mixtures are unavailable, oats are the next best supplemental food for deer. Oats provide deer with a healthy mixture of fiber and carbohydrates without disrupting their digestive system. … Therefore, it is safe to feed deer these fruits.

Do deer recognize human faces?

Wild deer can be enticed to approach you by habitually feeding them, and in encounters where their curiosity is aroused, and they are unable to recognize you as human, or perhaps as anything at all. A wild deer will always be skittish and ready to run even if does approach you.

How long does human scent last in woods?

Scent stays on the ground and on the things we touch for about 2-3 days. When it rains, it is mostly washed away.

How far can deer hear in miles?

In normal conditions, vibrations produced by walking in leaves and branches can conservatively travel 300-400 yards, and slight metal clanging (like when hanging stands and climbing sticks) up to a half-mile, all within a whitetail’s audible frequency range.

Is it OK to leave water out for deer?

It’s tempting to want to help them, and my tender heart often gets the better of my tougher brain. But as you say, it’s messing with the natural order and balance of nature. The problem with putting out food and water is that the deer will remember it and come back time after time. And they’ll bring friends with them.

How long can a deer go without eating?

Remember that deer are designed for times of accumulating fat and lean times for living off of it. They can lose 20 to 30 percent of their body weight over the winter, and can actually go up to a month without eating.

What does a deer do when it is thirsty?

God does not try to hide form us, He wants us to desire His presence. He doesn’t force His will on those who do not choose him. Just as the deer is thirsty for water, it goes to the brook to drink. So if you are in need today and thirsty for God, then go to the stream.

What is the cheapest way to feed a deer?

Making Your Own Inexpensive Deer Feed Oats, corn, nuts, and dried fruits are a great combination. You can buy most of these items in bulk in supermarkets and online which will help reduce costs. Mix them up and bring them to the stockpile or the feeder. Feeding deer does not have to be expensive.

What is the highest protein food for deer?

4S 20% Premium Deer Pellets are a high protein deer feed that should be fed during antler growing months (Spring & Summer). Since bucks are beginning antler growth and body mass recovery and does are nearing the end of gestation, protein requirements are higher during this period.

Are range cubes good for deer?

You will have to get the smaller range cubes for the deer to get it very well. I have seen it several times when feeding cattle. From what I hear, they will eat it, they just won’t absorb the protein as well b/c it is not as digestable to the deer due to their Rumen being different.

How long does it take peanut butter to attract deer?

P.S. It will take the Deer about 1 to 2 weeks to get on it. Don’t put the lid on a tree, put it on a stump. Creamy or crunchy makes no difference.