When to Worry - Deer Feeding

I have been feeding since just before the snow left us finally, about a month an a half ago. The same location I always hunt, and always feed. Last year, I had plenty of deer on camera by this time of year - they were hitting the bait within a week of me putting the feeders out.

This year however, I have nothing but raccoons, crows, and squirrels. Sure, it's early in the year and the seasons isn't for another ~4 months - and I feed all summer long as well, but when would you start to worry and start looking for another location?

I should mention, I even have deer sign - scat and tracks, within 50 feet of my feeder, but still not hitting the bait.

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks.

Deer generally browse rather than graze, they will go out and get some food from here and there, not stay at one location.

There may just be a lot more food out there right now that they do not want to come to the bait, fresh is better than dried.

No need to worry, the does with fawns already or about to drop them would be more concerned about safety right now.I see almost no deer around my place until early fall.The ponds right now a probably attractive for food and safety.

Deer don't need your food when their is so much green stuff out there. If you want to see deer on a trail camera put out a mineral pit or mineral block. They need minerals not feed. Now is the time for minerals..

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Originally Posted by pbonura

Deer don't need your food when their is so much green stuff out there. If you want to see deer on a trail camera put out a mineral pit or mineral block. They need minerals not feed. Now is the time for minerals..

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Just got mine refreshed 2 weeks ago, they were even hitting the old spots that ran out last year.

like pbonura said the deer have plenty off green to feed on now. I normally don't start feeding till a month before season. Iv had salt blocks out since the snow has been gone and have tons of deer hitting them daily for the minerals. right now coons and opposums will get most of your feed.

Great advice everyone, and - DAMN - I forgot the mineral lick. I've done one every year and always had deer on camera, I'm now kicking myself in the rear because I forgot it. Will toss one out this weekend for sure.

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Originally Posted by jweese

Great advice everyone, and - DAMN - I forgot the mineral lick. I've done one every year and always had deer on camera, I'm now kicking myself in the rear because I forgot it. Will toss one out this weekend for sure.

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I make my own from malt, salt, and trace minerals purchased from the local Agri supply- much cheaper. I heard some have been using water softener salt which is even cheaper still, but I have not tried it (yet).

I've used softener salt with mixed results, the best results I've had so far are the apple scented blocks from TSC. Stick to what you know I guess.

I do 1 every year in the same spot, sometimes 2 if there are heavy rains and it dissolves. It looks like the animals eat up the dirt after the block is gone and have pawed a 5' wide hole where the dissolved salt pools with rainfall. I use the brown salt block, had better luck with it as well as it blends in better to the surroundings then blue or white.
John

What the other guys said - mineral block this time of year.

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

What the other guys said - mineral block this time of year.

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I agree. There is all kinds of natural available food right now. They are looking for trace minerals and sodium.

I just use cattle salt block. Set it on a dead stump and they will chew on the stump for years. I normally buy a new block every six months, well before the last one is gone so there are a couple scattered around at any given time...

Put some out on the property I hunt just after the snow was gone. After they were out for about a month I put up a trail cam while I was there for 4 days. The block on the right (below) had a deer highway 8 feet from it when we put it out.... tons of tracks. Picked up the cam on the way home and there was nothing on it....

:(



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I used to by the salt blocks etc.... but now just use the plain old "road salt" you can buy in those black/yellow striped bags - 20kg for about $4.50 - sometimes you can find these cheaper at end of winter sales. I find this salt works just as well as the blocks - with no colouring added or anything "artificial". Large hardwood stumps we started years ago are still being hit regularly.

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Originally Posted by 6.5er

I used to by the salt blocks etc.... but now just use the plain old "road salt" you can buy in those black/yellow striped bags - 20kg for about $4.50 - sometimes you can find these cheaper at end of winter sales. I find this salt works just as well as the blocks - with no colouring added or anything "artificial". Large hardwood stumps we started years ago are still being hit regularly.

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I do the same and they use it all season long, and eat the soil also. I also use it to force new trails. I sprinkle it off main trails through thick brush to get them in an ideal position for a shot.

BROKEN BAGS AT CTC half price

If you use road salt be sure there is no de-icer in it as it can be poisonous to