Deer Feed

Deer Feed: Best Times, Feeding Tips, and DIY Deer Food Recipes

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Introduction

If you want to attract more deer to your hunting area or backyard, understanding the best times to use deer feed is essential. Knowing when deer eat, what they eat, and how their feeding habits change with the seasons can improve your hunting success or help you create a wildlife-friendly environment.

This comprehensive guide on deer feed covers everything you need to know — from deer feeding times to the best hunting times and deer movement calendars. We’ll also discuss how to make DIY deer feed, review the best deer hunting apps, and explore the best deer feeders for maximum efficiency.

Deer Feeding Times

When do deer eat? Typically, deer are most active during dawn and dusk. Their feeding times vary based on weather, moon phases, and hunting pressure. During colder months, deer may feed more often to prepare for winter.

🕒 Best Times to Feed Deer

  1. Early Morning (Dawn): Deer are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during twilight. From 6 AM to 9 AM, deer leave their bedding areas in search of food.
  2. Late Afternoon (Dusk): From 4 PM to 7 PM, deer feed as they prepare to return to their bedding areas.
  3. Nighttime Feeding: In areas with heavy hunting pressure, deer may shift their feeding to nighttime to avoid hunters.

How Seasons Affect Feeding Times

  • Spring: Abundant vegetation encourages midday feeding.
  • Summer: Heat limits daytime movement, so feeding peaks at dawn and dusk.
  • Fall: Feeding increases before the rut as bucks prepare for breeding.
  • Winter: Cold weather forces deer to seek high-calorie food, often feeding throughout the day.

Best Deer Hunting Times

If you’re a hunter, understanding deer feeding times can increase your chances of success. Hunting during prime feeding times increases the likelihood of seeing active deer.

When to Hunt Deer?

  • Morning Hunts: Best between 6 AM – 9 AM, as deer move from feeding areas to bedding areas.
  • Evening Hunts: Best between 4 PM – 7 PM, as deer return to feeding areas before dark.
  • Weather Factors: Rain, snow, and extreme cold can alter deer movement patterns, pushing them to feed earlier or stay bedded.
  • Moon Phases: Deer move more during the day during a full moon since they feed more at night.

Deer Movement Calendar

A deer movement calendar predicts when deer are most active. Hunters use it to plan hunting trips around peak deer activity. These calendars are based on weather, lunar phases, and seasonal changes.

How to Use a Deer Movement Calendar

  1. Check the Peak Movement Days: Look for days when deer are expected to be most active.
  2. Consider the Weather: Cloudy, cold days are better for hunting since deer stay active longer.
  3. Use Apps for Accurate Predictions: Apps like HuntStand and DeerCast provide movement calendars.

Best Hunting Times App

With technology on your side, hunting deer has never been easier. Hunting apps provide deer feeding times, movement forecasts, and weather updates.

Top Hunting Apps

  1. HuntStand: Offers deer movement predictions, weather forecasts, and hunting map features.
  2. DeerCast: Uses weather, moon phases, and pressure data to predict the best hunting times.
  3. OnX Hunt: Provides offline maps, tracking, and deer activity analysis.

These apps help you plan your hunting strategy based on live movement data and forecasted feeding times.

Best Feeding Times for Deer Feeders

If you’re using a deer feeder, you’ll want to schedule it to drop food at optimal times. Using an automatic feeder can make this process easier.

When to Set Feeder Timers?

  • Morning Feeding: Schedule feeders to release food at 6:30 AM to attract deer at dawn.
  • Evening Feeding: Schedule feeders to drop food at 4:30 PM so deer can feed before heading to their bedding areas.

Tip: Avoid mid-day feedings, as deer are less likely to be active.

How to Make Good Deer Feed

Want to save money on commercial feed? Make your own DIY deer feed at home. Homemade deer feed is often cheaper and allows you to control the ingredients.

DIY Recipe for Deer Feed

  • Corn: The main ingredient that attracts deer.
  • Soybeans: Provides protein for growth and antler development.
  • Acorns: Adds natural flavor that deer love.
  • Sweeteners: Use molasses or brown sugar to make it more enticing.

Instructions

  1. Mix Ingredients: Combine 50% corn, 25% soybeans, and 25% acorns.
  2. Add Sweetener: Add a small amount of molasses or brown sugar.
  3. Store Properly: Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold.

Best Types of Deer Feed

There are many types of deer feed to choose from. Each type has its pros and cons.

Types of Deer Feed

  • Corn: Cheap and highly attractive to deer, but low in nutrition.
  • Protein Pellets: Packed with nutrients that promote growth and antler development.
  • Deer Attractants: Flavored powders or liquids that enhance the smell and taste of feed.
  • Acorns and Natural Forage: Deer are naturally drawn to acorns and other wild foods.

Tip: For long-term feeding, use a mix of protein pellets and corn.

Deer Feeders: Which One Should You Use?

Using a deer feeder can simplify the feeding process. Feeders release food at specific times to keep deer coming back.

🪵 Types of Feeders

  1. Gravity Feeders: Simple, affordable, and easy to set up.
  2. Automatic Feeders: Dispense food at scheduled times using a timer.
  3. Hanging Feeders: Portable and easy to move.

Tip: For long-term feeding, use an automatic feeder that can be programmed to release food at dawn and dusk.

Benefits of Feeding Deer

There are ethical and practical reasons for feeding deer, especially for wildlife enthusiasts and hunters.

Benefits

  • Better Health: Feeding deer provides essential nutrients.
  • Antler Growth: Protein-rich feed helps bucks grow bigger antlers.
  • Hunting Advantages: Keeps deer in specific areas, making them easier to hunt.
  • Wildlife Conservation: Boosts deer population growth, especially during harsh winters.

Conclusion

Understanding deer feed and feeding times can make a big difference in hunting success and deer health. By learning when and how to feed deer, you can create a more effective strategy for hunting or wildlife conservation. Use hunting apps like HuntStand or DeerCast to track feeding times and movement patterns.

Whether you’re a hunter or a wildlife enthusiast, this guide provides everything you need to know about deer feeding habits, times, and DIY feed recipes.

FAQs

What is the best time to feed deer?

The best time to feed deer is at dawn (6 AM – 9 AM) and dusk (4 PM – 7 PM). Deer are most active during these times.

2️⃣ What are the best feeding times for deer feeders?

Set deer feeders to release food at 6:30 AM and 4:30 PM to match deer activity at dawn and dusk.

3️⃣ What is the best time for deer movement?

Deer move most during dawn and dusk, especially from 6 AM – 9 AM and 4 PM – 7 PM.

4️⃣ How do you make good deer feed?

Mix 50% corn, 25% soybeans, and 25% acorns. Add molasses for extra appeal.

5️⃣ Do deer prefer corn or protein feed?

Deer prefer corn for taste but need protein feed for growth.

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