We have 120 acres so I leave them out year round. The only thing I do a little different is, when I get a new one is I put it out up at the house for a month to leave it air out. Otherwise if I put them out right from the store it seems that the local black bear population getsnoseyfrom the new smell and likes to destory them. Since doing it this way the last 4yrs. I haven't had any more problems. Hope this helps. deerman69