When to Worry - Deer Feeding

[jweese]

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.

[Fox]

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.

[Gilroy]

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.

[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..

[Marker]

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..

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

[bushman007]

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.

[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.

[Marker]

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.

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).

[jweese]

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.

[johnjyb]

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