Rumor has it that a deer is more likely to jump in a round pen than a square one.


Any thought on this?????

Interesting rumor. I have one that is round and one that uses natural trees for the 'corners' and is more square shaped. I have shot deer at both and have cameras on both to monitor the traffic. It doesn't seem to matter.

Theory is yes a deer will feel more comfortable without any corners but I also have both and deer will use both. One good thing about a round pen is it will be a lot stronger and last longer.

Not sure about jumping into the pen but animals are more comfortable inside a pen that has no corners that allow them to bunch up. I would say that the size of the pen also matters. The larger the pen, the less the corners become a factor.

I think the size of the pen matters more than anything. Bigger is better.

This^^^^^ It also takes one less panel to get about the same amount square footage as a square when going round. So it will cost a bit less. Less trouble from hogs also with it being round IME. IME also larger you can make them the better you are and the amount of deer using the feeder(s) dictates size also. Keep all of the corn inside if it is for a spin feeder to keep cattle and hogs from trying to get in. 15 panels always seemed to work the best if putting in two feeders IME with lots of deer using 2 feeders and 11 panels with less deer or just one feeder.

I have a square pen that is only 24X24 and the deer pile in that thing without hesitation. I also put the feeder close to one side so some of the corn throws outside the pen because there are no hogs where I hunt to deal with.

Its gona depend on your deer more than anything...some hate pens some will pile in the smallest pens ever...weve caught a few in hog traps even...not on purpose by the way ha....bigger is better but just use what you got....I TELL YOU

I'm sure bigger pens would allow for more deer, but they absolutely aren't necessary. I have some that are 16' x 16' square. They go in there just as easy and just as fast as the bigger ones. While it is true that you can get more square footage with less panels by going round, I've never found durability to be an issue with the square pens. Not one pig has ever gotten in any of them. It's all in how you build it.

Does anyone here submerged their panels a few inches into the ground to stop pigs or is it a non factor when using panels

It all depends on how soft or hard the ground is. I always make sure they are as close to the ground all the way around the pen as I can get them. Once grass and weeds grow into the panels I have never had a problem. With hogs the key I have found is keep all of the feed inside of the pen and the hogs won't show up much at all.

We have rectangular pens. We have no problems with deer getting in them or keeping pigs out. Ours are 32 x 64.

Like STX said, when the grass or whaever is there grows in around the bottom it isn't as much of an issue. I get them as low as they will go (can't dig where I'm at) and then, between t-posts, use either rebar or some sort of spikes pounded in on the inside of the pen and tied to the bottom of the panels. The hogs have never penetrated that setup.

Your just about SOL in sand hills...some of ours that are in sugar sand have to be patched about every year...it takes them a while to get all the way under but there is no bottom to this sand

I guess the deer on our property have never heard that rumor. We have square pens and they dont hesitate jumping in.

When they don't have but two choices- eat or not eat they will jump in and eat when that is all they have not matter what shape or pen size it is. If you are looking to maximize the amount of mature deer you can see everyday then I would consider going round and as large as I could afford IMO.

Argh! Sounds like a never ending job...

i have heard that hogs have a harder time getting into a round pen than a square cause there is no end. they just keep going in circles.

well we tried it. the hogs dug a "burrow" under my fil feeder that was probably 2 feet deep and 5 feet in diameter.

we built a circle pen and no hogs.

dont know if its true, but its what i have heard.

All ours are square

What every one is not thinking of is what happens during the rut. A round pen allows young bucks to get away from bigger mature deer. Especially in S. Texas. I have seen young deer gored in a corner of a feed pen. Really sad to lose a great young deer to an old mature buck. Having no corners is better all the way around.

I have to agree that bigger is better. Never noticed a difference with ours in a round pen compared to a square pen, but there is a big difference between the large pens and small pens. In a smaller pen, one dominant deer can keep all the other deer out of the pen with little effort.

This!

The answer to the questions is "NO". Round or sqaure does not matter. Folks may have personal preferences, but it does not matter. And bigger is better.

[quote=Mud Shark The answer to the questions is "NO". Round or sqaure does not matter. Folks may have personal preferences, but it does not matter. And bigger is better. [/quote]

What is being ignored is that for a given # of panels, you have more square footage in circle then in a square/rectangle. Bigger s better makes the case for rounded pens.

bingo this is what i have always heard

What is being ignored is that for a given # of panels, you have more square footage in circle then in a square/rectangle. Bigger s better makes the case for rounded pens. [/quote]

Cutting hairs a little bit aren't we? Okay, I admit, you're right. It's a minor technicality, but a valid point none the less. But let's ask this; If the feeder pens had the exact same amount of footage fenced, would it matter if the pens were round or square?

The answer to that is still no