Feeding Deer
 

I was wondering how many hunters supplement their deer herd with corn either with a feeder or a pouring it on the ground. Obviously, some states do not allow feeding or baiting deer but in states where it is legal I would imagine the percentage is high.

I have 2 timed feeders that I use to help keep deer on my property, it may or may not work. I use them more to see what is there than to hunt them. I do hunt trails that lead to the feeder but the trails were there before the feeders were put up. In my opinion the feeders are no different than having corn planted all year long. Some will disagree that that is my opinion.

On the ground.

:rolleye0011::rolleye0011::rolleye0011::rolleye001 1::rolleye0011:. To each his own , where legal. I just can't help it though when this type of statement is made.

People can not honestly believe that hunting timed feeding stations is the same as hunting a corn field, can they?:poke:

no feeding the deer and corn fields are not the same but you are still hunting them by a food source so really what is the difference other than how you want to hunt the deer

I have game cameras set up at my feeders. Deer do not come running to the feeder when the feeder goes off, I think that is what everyone thinks. There is days I don't even have deer at the feeders per game camera pictures. I actually have more luck and better timing of deer heading to the corn field I hunt. They move through the creek bottom around 6 pm- 6:30, they feed in the corn from 6:30 to dark. Talk about a set schedule.
My feeders have deer at them all random times of the day. And coons, birds, coyotes, bobcats etc........

absolutely !

We planted a food plot this year.
The blind has a timed feeder looking out the front window and a 2 acre plot looking out the back window. So if I shoot a deer out the back window in the food plot, you tell me exactly how that is different than if a i shoot a deer out the front window at the feeder.

I prefer to simply PLANT a few acres of it. Food and cover then. Besides, it's illegal to "bait" here in Illinois.

I used feeders in the past but pouring corn on the ground has worked better for me.

Its not because you prefer it, its because thats the only thing they let you do.

Is putting a corn pile in front of your deer stand really ethical hunting? I think not!!!!!!!! But to each his own

I like to put the corn pile BEHIND my stand and I mostly scatter the corn rather than put in a pile so that it's more like a "food plot in front of a stand" :lmao:

yeah, its natural to find a big scattered area of corn in the middle of the woods!!! I guess the indians should of came up with that idea, then they might not be so over populated. I prefer to scout and find the deer instead of putting something out that gives me an unfair advantage. Old school son, old school...........:jaw::jaw:

If you care so much about how the indians did it maybe you should put down your gun, build your own bow from a sapling, make you own arrows and harvest your deer. Instead of something that gives you an unfair advantage.
old school son, old school.

Old school....yea right! You probably shoot mechanical broadheads, wear scentblocker, and play on your cell phone while hunting:rolleye0011:

For you information, I NEVER deer hunt with a gun just for that reason and I Do use a recurve with no sights. Taking a deer with a gun is like taking your sister to prom!!!! Anybody can do it......

Heck you might be on your way to your own 6:30AM hunting show.....You could call it Backstrap TV and wear tanned deer hide underwear:groupwave:

In wisconsin it's illegal to bait deer, a very stupid law. After deer season has passed, I provide my deer with deer food supplements along with high quality baled hay. All the corn in the world is useless if they don't have the roughage in there stomach to digest it.

I scatter all my corn on the ground. I don't use timed feeders because the hogs will hang around it too much and run all the deer off.

Let me guess, no camo, no treestand, no sent sprays.....

hehehe
hey thats me LOL


Back to feeding. if you have the opportunity of being on your place or hunting area all the time, spreading corn out on the ground is better than a timed feeder. But if your not there all the time a feeder is the only way to do it.
Deer are much less leary around feed spread on the ground than a feeder, dont know why but it seems they know a contraption spreading corn is not natural, and danger is near.

I am not sure that I "totally" agree with this. The feeder is just like farm machinery, they get used to it pretty quickly. I am sure at first it is wierd to them but they get adjusted to it.

True, it would be very nice to have the option to provide supplemental food sources during periods of high stress, such as late winter and early spring.... if our state allowed it. I believe it can be a great step to the ultimate management plan.

I usually try to have at least one feeder going most of the year, except during turkey season. I like to give the critters a little extra to eat during the Winter. I bow hunt some on a feeder, but not always. I never gun hunt a feeder. By that time, the deer are keying on acorns anyway and rarely come to a feeder during daylight hours, if then. I don't get why it is so immoral to some of you to hunt a feeder or corn scattered on the ground. As long as it is legal, it shouldn't concern you. How do we know the Indians didn't use corn as bait?

"You're the maaaaannn, Barta, you're the man."

That you Tred? How do you know the Indians didn't bait with corn?:poke:

We tried using feeders but the turkeys were there all the time and the deer got nothing . Then we went to scattering it on the ground with the same results turkeys were always there first . finally figured if we spread it just before dark the deer would get some of it ,seemed to work pretty good so far .

actually they didnt even use arrows, they used horses and ran them off cliffs.