If you want to attract deer to your yard, then an automatic deer feeder can definitely help. However, if the feeder is simply not drawing in the wildlife, then you may be confused about the situation. Keep reading to learn about some tips to make your feeder more active.
Use Gloves To Fill The Feeder
Deer have an incredible sense of smell with close to 300 million olfactory sensors in the nose; this means deer are more sensitive to odors than your dog and they are many times more aware of scents that you are. Deer use their sense of smell to detect predators, and a strong mammalian scent, like that of a human, can certainly make deer quite cautious.
Your scent can easily be transferred to your deer feeder through the sweat and other oils on your hands; this means that if you are placing food in your feeder with your bare hands, then the deer will smell this and stay away.
Wearing gloves to fill the feeder can greatly reduce this issue. Simply slip on a sturdy pair of outdoor gloves or even some winter gloves when adding food. You also want to make sure not to touch the exterior of the feeder with your bare hands and you want to place the feeder far from your home or garage, where your scent is likely to linger.
Consider The Season
Deer require different nutrients depending on the time of the year; this has a lot to do with the weather, the natural surroundings of the deer, and whether or not they are preparing for winter or the mating season. For example, deer will look for foods that are high in fat and calories during the late fall and early winter months; this helps the deer bulk up for the later winter months that tend to be leaner. Food that is high in protein and rice bran is good for this.
During the spring months, feed deer a mix that is high in grains like corn. Also, since many deer are growing antlers, a feed that is supplemented with nutrients like calcium is ideal; this can also assist deer who are likely to become pregnant and produce milk.
Keep in mind that treats like apples can attract deer to your feeders all year round. However, make sure a healthy feed is added to your automatic feeders to encourage good nutrition.
To learn more about feeders and how to attract deer, contact a company like Boss Buck.
