[jason7655]

I was just reading a document from Purina about deer management and it made the following statement:
"And never hunt over a feeder. It should always remain in a safe place for them, otherwise you will see a decrease in intake"

I understand that this statement was made in the context of feeding deer protein packed pellets to help them grow instead of using corn to keep them on your land ot to bait them.

This makes me question the practice of hunting directly over a feeder. What are the negative aspects to it?

Another good thing I read was that you should have 1 feeder per 25 deer (start counting I guess).

 

[possum]

I don't know, I normally don't hunt over my feeders anyway.

 

[fredbear]

If I am hunting to kill a deer, I hunt over a feeder. I am buck hunting, I don't hunt very close to a feeder.

I have hunted over feeder for over 10 years and I have seen two legal buck of them. Both were six points.

 

[jason7655]

What's very close?

If I'm on a lease where I can't plant food plots, I'm going to put the feeder/mineral lick close to the rubs and scrapes I see. Is that wrong? This is where I know the deer are at.

If you know where the deer are and you put the feeder there do you damage the potential for that big buck?

 

[Manybeards]

Don't believe everything ya read :thumb:

 

[RAMBUSTER]

I keep my feeder about 75 yards away from where I (try) to bow hunt. Reason being, it is the only place that is (hidden) away from the beaten path from trespassers and, the deer love the place. I cant get a good shot from where I hunt to the feeder but it seems to be working out alright for the deer. Right now its empty though but I will start back on the 50/50 mix protein and corn come March. :biggrin:

 

[D33RHUNT3R]

Well I have hunted what would be called right over my corn-feeder I had an elevated boxstand.. we killed 3 nice 8 pts inside of 2 weeks and 1 that my wife killed I had missed (3)x before that in the same stand over the same feeder... So anyone saying that bucks wont come in to a corn feeder should reconsider... I watched the deer from my stand from spring till fall I had up to 20 bucks, does and fawns within sight many many times.... I found that the Bucks came in AFTER the does early in the morning so IF you were to shoot at the does or a small buck you would have missed getting the shot on the bigger bucks that morning... Paitence and Concealment with a good feeder located in the right spot can bring out The bucks I have done it
HINT with my boxstand I can get in it the night before camp out and throw out some on the ground and have them standing below me feeding before the feeder went off at 7am ,So when it was legal shooting they were already there and comfortable.......

I have been told not to hunt there to many time the deer would get spooked from my scent .. False.

I've heard bucks wont use corn feeders.. False -We have 3 nice 8pts that say different this season......

 

[John Stiles]

I don't feed purina nohow:razz:

 

[soarkrebel]

This topic is as hot as dogs in some states. I would expect the AGFC to go after this one before dogs IMO.

Some say it's not "sporting" to shoot a deer over corn and some say it is.

I say corn or feed is not a for sure deal. I have seen deer hit it hard and I have seen times when they won't hit it at all.

The purpose of deer season is to control the population not grow big bucks. That means harvesting deer and if we can control the population killing deer over corn then harvest them.

It's far more damaging to the herd to not control the population.

There are questions of disease in the feed issue. But do deer not feed in cattle pastures and even cattle lots? Cattle disease's , I believe , can be spread to deer.

Anyway I don't have a big problem with it right now.............but there is always someone that does.

 

[jason7655]

yea, I don't have a huge problem with it because it in that regard.

For the common argument, how's hunting over a food plot any different?

My question was more geared at the effects it has on the deer and all.

 

[D33RHUNT3R]

yea, I don't have a huge problem with it because it in that regard.

For the common argument, how's hunting over a food plot any different?

My question was more geared at the effects it has on the deer and all.

IMHO none

 

[Bowhunter71]

I've hunted over corn feeders and food plots. Don't see much difference in the 2. I think more deer benefit from them than suffer..... I've sat and watched more deer at feeders and standing in food plots than I will kill in my lifetime. And I'm not complaining one bit.

 

[Down on the White]

I do not see a problem many a young child has been turned on to hunting simply because they can see deer a little more often and it keeps their intrest in the long run. I do not personally hunt over one but it would be no different than hunting a White Oak or Pin Oak flat.

 

[Bruin]

Sounds like Purina is trying to be politically correct, and trying to make sure the anti-hunters who buy their dog and cat food are not offended by the fact that they sell deer feed to hunters.

I would ban Purina, just like I did Target when they stopped selling hunting stuff.

 

[soarkrebel]

yea, I don't have a huge problem with it because it in that regard.

For the common argument, how's hunting over a food plot any different?

My question was more geared at the effects it has on the deer and all.

Personally hunting over corn,food plots and acorn producing trees are the same.
Hunting over scrapes or major trails is in the same category to me.

The intention is to see game by hunting the places game frequent.

Effects on deer...............unless you shoot the deer ...not much effect hunting over them.

 

[squirrel hunter]

ever hunted over a food plot? or an Oak tree for that matter? same difference...

 

[BUCKSHOT_106]

ever hunted over a food plot? or an Oak tree for that matter? same difference...

not quite. :wink:

 

[Buck-Ridge]

Hunting baited areas is almost a neccessity when trying to count points.
Hunting thickets where the bucks naturally travel doesn't give many oppurtunities for sizing up deer unless you can see that they are really nice ones.

 

[Buck-Ridge]

I would like to add to my above post that when I mean baited I am including food plots.
Most of the deer I see in the woods are 30 to 75 yards away and are moving through so that point counting is tough. Baiting and feeding and cameras give you a good way to tell what animals you have so you can recognize what is legal when they come by.
I have hunted over feed but usually I hunt the trails the does use and look for the bucks crossing the does trail away from the feeder. 75 o a 100 yards away.

 

[Matt_W]

I see plenty of deer over feeders. I think the intent of the statement is to not make deer extremely wary of the feeders when coming in.