The pros and cons of deer hunting over deer feeders

I am not sure of the origin of deer feeders but I would be willing to bet that Texas wouldn't be a bad guess. As long as I can remember, the infamous barrel has been a forever icon within the Texas deer hunting industry where I've been blessed to have hunted for some 30 years. However, there are those among us who question the technique and whether or not it is ethical and sporting. I am a firm believer of "to each their own" and while this type of hunting may not be for everyone, I discovered the value of it a long time ago. I will discuss what I feel to be the pros and cons, pluses and minuses, ins and outs of this tool we call a deer feeder.

Deer feeders provide an opportunity to judge the animals so that only select ones fitting the management criteria are harvested. This prevents button bucks, immature bucks and healthy, vibrant does from being dispatched; this may not be quite as achievable while hunting using other means.

A deer feeder will certainly congregate deer. We all love to see deer when we go hunting, especially if we are lucky enough to be accompanied by a favorite hunting partner (your kid). Unfortunately, congregation can lead to an unhealthy environment by increasing the possibility of spreading diseases.

Different species benefit from the feed as well; turkeys, javelinas, birds, squirrels and a host of other undesirable varmints can be quite destructive and consumptive of the feed. Feed pens and varmint guards are probably the most effective means to controlling these untargeted animals.

Deer feeders can be used to supplement dietary intake. Corn provisions during the winter help replace carbohydrates expended during the rut, which in turn, helps worn-out bucks survive the season. Protein provisions in the spring and summer help keep animals healthy and improve milk production in does providing a better start for fawns with improved antlers in the males. I have found that the Deer Feeder Helper is a useful accessory for converting a corn feeder into a gravity type protein feeder for further enhancement.

Deer feeders must be maintained. This has historically been the biggest pit fall of the deer feeder. The feeding environment is quite a challenge for an electronic device with mechanical parts dispensing organic matter. Deer feeders are often surrounded by destructive animals, insects, adverse weather conditions and often are not frequented enough by the owners so that they may keep abreast of any deficiencies. Solar chargers have made a huge difference as hunters no longer arrive on opening day to find a dead battery and a non-functioning deer feeder. The Deer Feeder Helper mentioned earlier reduces most, if not all, of these monumental endeavors to simple tasks. Clogs can be removed instantly avoiding damage to the spinner; timers can be swapped out in seconds allowing broken ones to be replaced with ones that work; it opens to allow draining of the feeder for relocation or to remove old or spoiled feed and dust; and timers can be taken home for safe keeping during the off-season by simply removing a couple of screws. Attention to detail and taking some preventive measures should keep your deer feeder working properly.

Neither deer feeders nor their contents are free. Deer feeders will cost several hundred dollars so the purchase of quality products is strongly recommended; Hollow Hill Outdoors, Texas Wildlife Supply, and Wildlife Resources come to mind. The recent demand for BioDiesel, which is derived from corn, has doubled the cost of corn in just two years. Hopefully this trend will stabilize as technology improves and/or more farmers switch to corn production.

All in all, I love watching the sunrise on a brisk morning, followed by the awesome whitetail deer filtering from the wilderness to grab their share of treats from the legendary deer feeder.

Thank you and happy hunting,

Chris Nicholes