I like my deer comfortable with feeding on protein without hunting pressure. As far as I know that is the prevailing reccommendation. Being a small acreage, one might not care so much about those things. Otherwise, I'd still say you might want the corn in a different place. My

when im feeding protein its not hunting season. on my small place... i did both on a big ranch... had small free choice feeders sitting in the spinner feeder pens...then had 3 giant feeders set throughout the ranch in low traffic areas... didnt seem to bother them either way

Yeah, i have a tripod set... Its old and i plan to have a welding buddy of mine renew it during off season!

Even if the hogs can't get to the feed they will camp under the feeder. I can't tell you how many pictures I had of hogs at the protein feeder with the deer standing in the background, looking at them. It got so bad I'd have pictures of deer, then hogs push them off and at what the deer knocked on the ground. Then the hogs napped under the feeder, then the hogs let the deer back in, they'd knock the food down...repeat cycle. That all went away with the feeder pen. I have an 8 panel pen and seldom have pictures of hogs anymore in that area.

What if you dont have hogs? Do you still need a feed pen?

I would assume not, 007. I have javelinas and have had about 2-3 hogs on came cam under the feeder so I am looking at a pen. I may just make a PVC attachment and see how it goes while allocating funds for the pen although 150.00 isn't bad to keep them away...

If they get to it and break it in the meantime, I am out 15bux and feed... LOL