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Deer Feeders in the offseason
#2166406
03/07/11 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
RanchoStarvo
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448 |
This is my first off season having two feeders and two game cameras up at the ranch. I've read some things like limiting feeding to once per day, and taking down the game cams for a couple of months. I'd rather keep them up and see what all is coming by.
How do you all manage your feeders and field equipment during the off season? Right now I have one feeder that goes off once a day in the morning, and the other goes off once a day in the evening. The ranch isn't very far from where I live, so getting out there is no problem.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RanchoStarvo]
#2166409
03/07/11 09:05 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,537
txhunter24
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,537 |
Sounds like youre doing good. We run our feeders once a day in the offseason for maybe 3 seconds, just enough to keep them interested without attracting every hog in the area. I like to keep cams going year round also. We keep alfalfa bales available to them as a protein source from now through September also.
Every good and perfect gift is from above . James 1:17
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RanchoStarvo]
#2166416
03/07/11 09:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136
Satch
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136 |
I keep my feeders and cameras going year round. I would keep the feeders going the same as you did during the season if you can afford it. might even try feeding protien this time of year to boost that nutrition up
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: Satch]
#2166513
03/07/11 09:37 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
RanchoStarvo
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448 |
Thanks for the tips. I might just put some protein pellets in the feeder instead of alfalfa bales. Any experience with mineral blocks? are they a gimmick?
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RanchoStarvo]
#2166564
03/07/11 09:54 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,262
RICK O'SHAY
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,262 |
I leave my cameras out all year, mostly to pattern the hogs.
I feed "some" year round, I cut them down to about 3 seconds until July or so when everything is dead and dried out. I like to make a salt lick, I'll bury some rock salt in a low spot and pour a some water on it. I also buy small mineral blocks at Tractor Supp in the horse section, they're cheaper than the "deer" mineral blocks.
At our lease, the blinds that feed year around are MUCH better than the ones that don't.
DISCLAIMER ATTENTION: Your decision should NEVER be based SOLELY upon my advice, recomendation, or opinion.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RICK O'SHAY]
#2166580
03/07/11 09:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136
Satch
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136 |
i use mineral blocks. they will hit them hard at times and other times seems like they don't, but i do use them anyway. just standard cattle blocks salt or trace mineral
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: Satch]
#2166595
03/07/11 10:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
cameras come down a little after season ends, but usually run the feeders nonstop. This year I cut our feeders off mid-Jan to see if the hogs would leave.
Last edited by rifleman; 03/07/11 10:00 PM.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: rifleman]
#2166625
03/07/11 10:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,394
Chuck McDonald
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,394 |
I run Cameras and feeders year round, I still feed twice a day but I cut back my time a bit.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: Chuck McDonald]
#2166759
03/07/11 11:07 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,216
kyle1974
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,216 |
I pour the feed to the deer in the off season.... after the rut, late january is when they need it the most. When they start growing horns is another critical time to pour as much as possible to them.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RanchoStarvo]
#2166800
03/07/11 11:20 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073 |
Thanks for the tips. I might just put some protein pellets in the feeder instead of alfalfa bales. Any experience with mineral blocks? are they a gimmick? If you put protein in your spin feeders, keep a close eye on them. Some protein pellets will clog up your feeder, particularly if it gets wet - you'll get a lot of wastage.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RedSnake]
#2167030
03/08/11 12:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,898
Csddarden
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,898 |
Thanks for the tips. I might just put some protein pellets in the feeder instead of alfalfa bales. Any experience with mineral blocks? are they a gimmick? If you put protein in your spin feeders, keep a close eye on them. Some protein pellets will clog up your feeder, particularly if it gets wet - you'll get a lot of wastage. And it'll be a complete PITA! I'll never spin protein again. Gravity feeders for protein from here on out.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: Csddarden]
#2167232
03/08/11 01:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,190
ParkCountyElkDestroyer
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,190 |
We feed 4 seconds in the morning and night 365 days a year at our 6 feeders. We also keep our 4 protein feeders filled year around. All 5 cameras are also going year around.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: ParkCountyElkDestroyer]
#2167250
03/08/11 01:55 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
With the lack of rain in most areas right now is the time to feed as much as you can. The first month after the rut is the most critical time for bucks since it is usually in the worst time of the winter. I let the corn feeders run out in a month or so and they are on free choice protein 365 days a year.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: stxranchman]
#2167775
03/08/11 04:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 186
wanderer
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 186 |
Because we offer hunts for hogs and turkeys, we keep our spin feeders going year round, twice a day for 5 seconds each feeding.
One feeding at 7 a.m. and one at 6 p.m..
For the past month, we have been keeping our protein feeders filled.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: stxranchman]
#2167893
03/08/11 04:44 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
With the lack of rain in most areas right now is the time to feed as much as you can. The first month after the rut is the most critical time for bucks since it is usually in the worst time of the winter. I let the corn feeders run out in a month or so and they are on free choice protein 365 days a year. not to rub it in or anything, but we are very much green and water levels are on the rise.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: rifleman]
#2168128
03/08/11 12:01 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,166
deerslayer64d
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,166 |
free choise protien x3 feeders year round , spin corn from 9 feeders twice a day 6 sec year round . cams come down after they shed horns and back out in august.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: deerslayer64d]
#2168231
03/08/11 02:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,364
Archer Anthony
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,364 |
we keep our feeders going year round and start putting up new locations too
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: Csddarden]
#2168245
03/08/11 02:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,959
Scoop
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,959 |
Thanks for the tips. I might just put some protein pellets in the feeder instead of alfalfa bales. Any experience with mineral blocks? are they a gimmick? If you put protein in your spin feeders, keep a close eye on them. Some protein pellets will clog up your feeder, particularly if it gets wet - you'll get a lot of wastage. And it'll be a complete PITA! I'll never spin protein again. Gravity feeders for protein from here on out. I have had ok luck running one bag of protein mixed really well with corn and milo. Had 1 minor plug out of about 10 feeders I ran like that for a year or 2, but it was pretty dry when I ran it like that. Moisture is your enemy and will cause the clumping. Don't know if I really helped the wildlife much feeding like that though. Run a pair of 300# free choice now, but at $50 a fill per feeder that can cost ya. Filled mine to the brim Jan 28, and they went dry by about Feb 24th and were due for a refill. Lots of very promising activity on cam though, and I know the game needs it as dry as it is out there. If you do run free choice definitely fence it off. If I didn't the hogs and exotic sheep would empty mine in a matter of days.
Last edited by Scoop; 03/08/11 02:42 PM. Reason: added a point
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: Chuck McDonald]
#2168332
03/08/11 03:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,641
DiverTexas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,641 |
I run Cameras and feeders year round, I still feed twice a day but I cut back my time a bit. This, and I also feed protein from Feb. through the first of Oct.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: DiverTexas]
#2168618
03/08/11 05:11 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,498
TX_LT230FH
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,498 |
I just cut back te corn to once a day for a few seconds. The protein has been up since mid-January, they are hitting it hard now- 350 pounds from 2 feeders last week.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: RanchoStarvo]
#2168683
03/08/11 05:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Roughneck Country
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127 |
Thanks for the tips. I might just put some protein pellets in the feeder instead of alfalfa bales. Any experience with mineral blocks? are they a gimmick? I just built a granular salt/mineral feeder it works great for attracting deer. When I first set it out I had pics of about 30-35 big game animals around it (no hogs). Salt seems to work the best for me and it is cheap to keep the feeder filled as any animla will only be able to eat a limited amount of salt.
Trail Cameras & European / Texas / Skull mount brackets available at: www.roughneckcountry.com or e-mail us at roughneck.country@gmail.com
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: rifleman]
#2168811
03/08/11 06:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
With the lack of rain in most areas right now is the time to feed as much as you can. The first month after the rut is the most critical time for bucks since it is usually in the worst time of the winter. I let the corn feeders run out in a month or so and they are on free choice protein 365 days a year. not to rub it in or anything, but we are very much green and water levels are on the rise. But you just did When you are green enough and spillways are running then send some south ASAP
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: stxranchman]
#2168879
03/08/11 06:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
hard to do that with all the wells going in.
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: rifleman]
#2168887
03/08/11 06:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
hard to do that with all the wells going in. Now you are just really rubbing it in. Wanna buy a 100 acres of minerals only?
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Deer Feeders in the offseason
[Re: stxranchman]
#2168953
03/08/11 06:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
I am about as tapped out on funds as a person can get.
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