Archive for the ‘Wildlife, Deer’ Category

2020 – 2021 Texas Hunting Season Dates

Monday, July 20th, 2020

Texas Parks & Wildlife released the 2020 – 2021 Texas Hunting Season dates. Check them out below. You can find more information on their website. Stop by J&N Feed and Seed for all your hunting supplies, feeds, and attractants. Also, be sure to ask us about our feeder filling services.

Texas Parks & Wildlife logoAlligator
22 Counties & special properties: Sep 10 — 30, 2020
All Other Counties: Apr 1 — June 30, 2021

Chachalaca
Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties: Oct 31 — Feb 28, 2021

Dove
North Zone
Sep 1 — Nov 12, 2020 & Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021

Central Zone
Sep 1 — Nov 1, 2020 & Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 14, 2021

South Zone
Regular season: Sep 14 — Nov 1, 2020 & Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 23, 2021
Additional days for Special White-winged Dove season: Sep. 5, 6, 12, 13 (special regulations apply)

Duck
North Zone
Regular season: Nov 14 — 29, 2020 & Dec 5, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021
Youth-only: Nov 7 — 8, 2020

South Zone
Regular season: Nov 7 — 29, 2020 & Dec 12, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021
Youth-only: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020

High Plains Mallard Management Unit (HPMMU)
Regular season: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 & Nov 6, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021
Youth-only: Oct 24 — 25, 2020

Gallinule, Rail, Moorhen
Sep 12 — 27 & Nov 7 – Dec 30, 2020

Goose
East Zone
Early Canada goose: Sep 12 — 27, 2020
Light & dark geese: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021
Light goose conservation order: Feb 1 — Mar 14, 2021

West Zone
Light & dark geese: Nov 14, 2020 — Feb 14, 2021
Light goose conservation order: Feb 15 — Mar 14, 2021

Javelina
North Zone: Oct 1, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021
South Zone: Sep 1, 2020 — Aug 31, 2021

Mule Deer
General Season
Panhandle: Nov 21 — Dec 6, 2020
SW Panhandle: Nov 21 — 29, 2020
Trans-Pecos: Nov 27 — Dec 13, 2020

Archery Season
Oct 3 — Nov 6, 2020

Pheasant
Panhandle: Dec 5, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021

Pronghorn
Oct 3 — 11, 2020

Quail
Statewide: Oct 31, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021

Rabbits & Hares
No closed season.

Sandhill Crane
Zone A: Oct 31, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021
Zone B: Nov 27, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021
Zone C: Dec 19, 2020 — Jan 24, 2021

Squirrel
East Texas: Oct 1, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021 & May 1 — 31, 2021
Other Open Counties: Sep 1, 2020 — Aug 31, 2021
Youth-Only Season: Sep 26 — 27, 2020

Snipe
Nov 7, 2020 — Feb 21, 2021

Teal
Sep 12 — 27, 2020

Rio Grande Turkey
Fall Season
North Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021
South Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 17, 2021
Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties: Nov 7, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021
Archery-Only: Oct 3 — Nov 6, 2020

Fall Youth-Only
North Zone: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 & Jan 4 — 17, 2021
South Zone: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 & Jan 18 — 31, 2021

Spring Season
North Zone: Apr 3 — May 16, 2021
South Zone: Mar 20 — May 2, 2021
One-turkey counties: April 1 — 30, 2021

Spring Youth-Only
North Zone: Mar 27 — 28 & May 22 — 23, 2021
South Zone: Mar 13 — 14 & May 8 — 9, 2021

Eastern Turkey
Spring Season
East Texas: Apr 22 — May 14, 2021

White-tailed Deer

General Season
North Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021
South Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 17, 2021

Special Late Season
North Zone: Jan 4 — 17, 2021
South Zone: Jan 18 — 31, 2021

Youth-Only Seasons
Early Season: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020
Late Season: Jan 4 — 17, 2021

Archery Season
Oct 3 — Nov 6, 2020
Muzzleloader-Only Season
Jan 4 — 17, 2021

Woodcock
Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021

Texas Parks & Wildlife logo

Fall is Prime Time to Begin a Supplemental Feeding Program for Deer

Friday, September 6th, 2019

A buck can have the best genetics in the world, but without the proper nutrition, he’ll never achieve his potential. One way to stack the deck in his favor is to supplement his nutrition. Fall is an excellent time to begin this.
But before we talk about how to initiate a supplemental feeding program, let’s evaluate the big picture.
The goal: Produce larger bucks with massive antlers. Some big obstacles to that goal:

  • Lack of high quality forage in fall and winter.
  • Stresses due to inclement weather.
  • In fall, deer are heading into a natural period of low metabolism and poor appetite. During the rut, a buck may spend only 20 to 30 minutes per day eating.
  • Burned calories during the rut will greatly deplete any existing stockpiles of nutrients.
  • Antler growth is low on the priority list of functions required to sustain life, so next spring, antlers will receive “what’s left” of nutrients after life-sustaining needs have been met. Deer will not begin growing antlers until they’ve regained body condition.
  • Nutritional deficiencies early in life can stunt a buck’s growth and antler size for the rest of his life, even if he is well fed as an adult.

The opportunity: Fall is one of the best times to initiate a supplemental feeding program because…

  • Fall forage is less available and of poorer quality, so deer are already instinctively searching for new food sources and may be more accepting of an unfamiliar feed form.
  • Getting deer to fully accept a feed form such as pellets can take weeks or months. By beginning the transition in the fall, deer can be fully acclimated by the time severe weather arrives.
  • Antlers are high in protein content (which is why feeding corn won’t produce bigger antlers). Now is the prime time for the body to start stockpiling protein before spring antler-growing season.
  • When a deer goes into winter in optimal body condition, it is less likely to deplete all of its nutrition stores by spring.

The plan: Now that we’ve established the need for a supplemental nutrition program, how do we do it? Here are a few basic steps:

  • Provide the essentials. Deer need three basic things to survive and thrive—food, water and cover. If any one of these three critical factors is insufficient, deer will go elsewhere.
  • Place your feeders along frequently used runways or trails.
  • Be sure to place enough feeders so that deer do not have to travel more than one-half to three-quarters of a mile to a feeder. A good rule of thumb is one feeder per 300-400 acres.
  • Make sure your feeding area has good visibility, access to fresh, clean water and an easy escape route to nearby cover.
  • Place your feeders near the center of your land to keep deer on your property. Do not place feeders along fence lines, roads, power lines or in a large opening.
  • Choose the right diet. With 16 percent protein, AntlerMax® Rut & Conditioning Deer
  • Chow® 16 product is the ideal fall and winter body conditioning diet to set the stage for big antler growth next spring. It has a highly palatable, strong flavor to attract deer and AntlerMax® Deer & Elk Mineral supplement for strong, dense antler growth.
  • One free-choice feeder can comfortably feed 25 free-ranging deer, each consuming 1 to 2 pounds of AntlerMax® Rut & Conditioning Deer Chow® 16 product per day.
  • Deer do not recognize protein pellets as food, but they are accustomed to seeing corn as a food source in the wild. Entice them to the protein pellets by initially mixing corn with the pellets (start with 75 percent corn, 25 percent pellets).
  • Deer do not like abrupt changes in feed, so make them gradually. Once deer are accustomed to eating protein pellets from a feeder, gradually phase out the corn. (NOTE: Although corn provides digestible energy, corn inherently lacks the nutrients needed for strong antler growth. Corn may help deer survive, but it won’t help them thrive. In fact, gorging on too much corn too fast can actually cause a deer to founder and die.)
  • Remember, pellets should be a supplement to, not a replacement for forage.
  • Make sure deer have access to a constant supply of fresh, clean water near your feeder. A deer requires about 3 pounds of water for every pound of dry matter consumed.
  • Plan on feeding year ‘round so that bucks never slip into below-average body condition.
  • Otherwise, next spring, nutrients will be allocated to “playing catch up” instead of to antler growth.
  • Be sure to wear gloves when handling the feeder and feed. Human scent can repel deer.
  • Don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Once you’ve spent all this effort to attract deer to a feeding area, NEVER hunt near the feeding area.

Don’t get discouraged. It won’t happen overnight. In fact, the better the forage conditions, the tougher it is to get deer to start eating pellets. But fall is a prime opportunity.
There are many, many more tips and strategies for establishing a successful supplemental nutrition program than we can include here.

Stop by J&N Feed and Seed in Graham, Texas and talk to us about your supplemental feeding needs. We’re here to help.

2018 – 2019 Hunting Season Dates

Sunday, July 15th, 2018

2018 - 2019 Hunting Season DatesTexas Parks & Wildlife released the 2018 – 2019 Hunting Season dates. Check them out below. You can find more information on their website.

Alligator

  • 22 Counties & special properties: Sep. 10 – 30, 2018
All Other Counties: Apr. 1 – June 30, 2019

Chachalaca

  • Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties: Nov. 3, 2018 – Feb. 24, 2019

Dove

  • North Zone
    • Sep. 1 – Nov. 4, 2018 & Dec. 21, 2018 – Jan. 14, 2019
  • Central Zone
    • Sep. 1 – Nov. 4, 2018 & Dec. 21, 2018 – Jan. 14, 2019
  • South Zone
    • Regular season: Sep. 14 – Oct. 30, 2018; Dec. 14, 2018 – Jan. 21, 2019
  • Additional days for Special White-winged Dove season
    • Sep. 1, 2, 8, 9 (special regulations apply)

Duck

  • North Zone
    • Regular season: Nov. 10 – 25, 2018 & Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
    • Dusky duck: Nov. 15 – 25, 2018 & Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
    • Youth-only: Nov. 3 – 4, 2018
  • South Zone
    • Regular season: Nov. 3 – 25, 2018 & Dec. 8, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
    • Dusky duck: Nov. 8 – 25, 2018 & Dec. 8, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
    • Youth-only: Oct. 27 – 28, 2018
  • High Plains Mallard Management Unit (HPMMU)
    • Regular season: Oct. 27 – 28, 2018 & Nov. 2, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
    • Dusky duck: Nov. 5, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
    • Youth-only: Oct. 20 – 21, 2018
  • Gallinule, Rail, Moorhen
    • Sep. 15 – 30, 2018 & Nov. 3 – Dec. 26, 2018

Goose

  • East Zone
    • Early Canada goose: Sep. 15 – 30, 2018
      • Light & dark geese: Nov. 3, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
      • Light goose conservation order: Jan. 28 – Mar. 17, 2019
  • West Zone
    • Light & dark geese: Nov. 3, 2018 – Feb. 3, 2019
    • Light goose conservation order: Feb. 4 – Mar. 17, 2019

Javelina

  • North Zone: Oct. 1, 2018 – Feb. 24, 2019
  • South Zone: Sep. 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019

Mule Deer

  • General Season
    • Panhandle: Nov. 17 – Dec. 2, 2018
    • SW Panhandle: Nov. 17 – 25, 2018
    • Trans-Pecos: Nov. 23 – Dec. 9, 2018
  • Archery Season
    • Sep. 29 – Nov. 2, 2018

Pheasant

  • Panhandle: Dec. 1 – 30, 2018

Pronghorn Antelope

  • Sep. 29 – Oct. 7, 2018

Quail

  • Oct. 27, 2018 – Feb. 24, 2019

Rabbits & Hares

  • No closed season.

Sandhill Crane

  • Zone A: Oct. 27, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
  • 
Zone B: Nov. 23, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
  • Zone C: Dec. 15, 2018 – Jan. 20, 2019

Squirrel

  • East Texas: Oct. 1, 2018 – Feb. 24, 2019 & May 1 – 31, 2019
  • 
Other Open Counties: Sep. 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019
  • Special Youth Season: Sep. 29 – 30, 2018

Snipe

  • Oct. 27, 2018 – Feb. 10, 2019

Teal

  • Sep. 15 – 30, 2018

Turkey

  • Rio Grande Turkey
    • Fall Season
      • North Zone: Nov. 3, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
      • South Zone: Nov. 3, 2018 – Jan. 20, 2019
      • Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties: Nov. 3, 2018 – Feb. 24, 2019
      • Archery-Only: Sep. 29 – Nov. 2, 2018
  • Fall Youth-Only
    • North Zone: Oct. 27 – 28, 2018 & Jan. 7 – 20, 2019
    • South Zone: Oct. 27 – 28, 2018 & Jan. 21 – Feb. 3, 2019
  • Spring Season
    • North Zone: Mar. 30 – May 12, 2019
    • South Zone: Mar. 16 – Apr. 28, 2019
    • One-turkey counties: April 1 – April 30, 2019
  • Spring Youth-Only
    • North Zone: Mar. 23 – 24, 2019 & May 18 – 19, 2019
    • South Zone: Mar. 9 – 10, 2019 & May 4 – 5, 2019
  • Eastern Turkey Spring Season
    • East Texas: Apr. 22 – May 14, 2019

White-tailed Deer

  • General Season
    • North Zone: Nov. 3, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
    • South Zone: Nov. 3, 2018 – Jan. 20, 2019
  • Special Late Season
    • North Zone: Jan. 7 – 20, 2019
    • South Zone: Jan. 21 – Feb. 3, 2019
  • Youth-Only Seasons
    • Early Season: Oct. 27 – 28, 2018
    • Late Season: Jan. 7 – 20, 2019
  • Archery Season
    • Sep. 29 – Nov. 2, 2018
  • Muzzleloader-Only Season
    • Jan. 7 – 20, 2019

Woodcock

  • Dec. 18, 2018 – Jan. 31, 2019

Quickdraw Deer Block Attractant & Supplement

Tuesday, September 5th, 2017

Quickdraw Deer Block

Attract and hold big bucks with Purina Mills Quickdraw Deer Block attractant and supplement available at J&N Feed and Seed.

Designed to attract deer with its irresistible scent & flavorings. Designed in a 20 lb block, it attracts big bucks and helps keep deer coming back. It can also be used to supplement poor quality forage or habitat. Studies on the Primos® Quick Draw® Deer Block attractant show strong consumption, driven by a proprietary flavoring agent not found in any other deer block.

Pick up all your hunting supplies, blinds, feeders, and wildlife feed at J&N Feed and Seed.  We’re all hunters here, so if you have any questions, please give us a call or stop by. We’re happy to help!

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Browning Trail Cameras

Monday, August 21st, 2017

J&N Feed and Seed is proud to offer the full line of Browning Trail Cameras to help you capture great images of the game on your property. Browning Trail Cameras have been designed with you in mind, to deliver excellent quality results in the field. Whether you are trying to capture that buck of a lifetime running down a trail, or just interested in what’s congregating around your feed blocks, Brownings line of game cameras has the features you are looking for.

All Browning Game Cameras feature incredible trigger speeds of less than one second and are capable of capturing your game in stunning HD video with sound. Imagine being able to take a 2 minute HD video clip of deer and turkey walking around on the edge of your favorite greenfield…and being able to hear what’s going on as well. That’s the Browning Trail Camera advantage!

Browning Trail Cameras offers 3 different series of trail cameras to suit the specific needs of different hunter’s requirements and function they need to perform in the field.  J&N Feed and Seed in Graham, Texas, stocks the full line of Browning Trail Cameras. Stop in and pick one up today!

Get Ready For Hunting With Rio Gameloads

Monday, July 31st, 2017

Rio GameloadsJ&N Feed and Seed is your source for Rio Gameloads! Rio Game Load shot shells present an affordable choice for game and target shooting and we’ve got a great selection right here in Graham, Texas! Whether you’re looking for 12 gauge, 20 gauge or something different, we’ve got what you need this hunting season.

Rio Game Loads combine state of the art components and over 100 years of technical know-how to produce the perfect load for upland hunting applications. From the diminutive 2 1/2″ .410 to the hard hitting 3″ 12 gauge turkey load, Rio’s lead game line combines consistency and reliability in every shell, to bring unparalleled performance to the field.

12 Gauge Game Loads come in a wide range of choices – 1oz. to 1 3/4 oz payloads of game-stopping lead, in shot sizes 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2, 8 and 9. Rio game loads combine the company’s own high quality, proprietary components and a century of ammunition manufacturing expertise for a lethal combination of modern technology and old world experience.

Pick up your Rio Gameloads and all your hunting supplies at J&N Feed and Seed.

6 Ways To Get Deer To Your Feeder

Friday, July 21st, 2017

Get Deer To Your FeederThe age old question, how to get deer to your feeder?  Most deer are not used to seeing protein pellets. They must be trained to recognize them as food and to eat them out of a feeder. It is best to start a supplemental feeding program when typical food sources (farm crops, natural vegetation, new food plots or even acorns) are no longer in abundance, such as during winter or drought conditions.

Corn is extremely low in the nutrients necessary to grow big antlers. In addition, corn can founder and even kill deer if too much is consumed at one time. But when safely used in moderation, it is ideal for drawing deer to an area and training them to eat pellets.

Choose an area where traffic is good, and then follow these steps:

  1. Set up a spin feeder to throw out 1-2 pounds of corn every 6 hours, or spread it by hand using gloves or a scoop to limit human scent. This safe amount will attract them to the area you want to feed. Be sure to have at least one feeding in the middle of the night. Continue this until deer are consistently coming to the area to eat every day. This may take several weeks, depending on deer density, time of year and availability of other foods.
  2. Once deer are consistently coming to the area daily looking for corn, set up a free-choice feeder filled with corn. Hand-toss corn on the ground around the feeder. When you observe deer consistently eating out of the free-choice feeder, stop hand-tossing corn.
  3. Once deer are eating corn out of the feeder for at least one week, change the self-feeder mixture to 1/3 Deer Chow® and 2/3 corn for at least a week so the deer can get accustomed to eating pellets. Make sure they clean up the pellets before replacing the mix. If they refuse to clean up the pellets, mix in more corn with the pellets.
  4. After deer are cleaning up the pellets, change the mixture to ½ Deer Chow® and ½ corn for at least one week. If they continue to sort out the corn and leave the pellets, keep mixing corn in but gradually reduce the amount of corn until they have access to only pellets.
  5. If the deer are consistently cleaning up the mixture and don’t leave any pellets, put 25 to 50 pounds of straight Deer Chow® in the free-choice feeder. NEVER fill a feeder full of pellets the first time regardless of its size – you need to leave room to mix in a little corn in case the deer regress a bit and stop eating pellets. When they are consistently eating pellets from the self-feeder, you may fill it completely with Deer Chow®.
  6. Keep feeders clean. Remove old, wet or spoiled feed before refilling, as deer are very sensitive to odors, and damp or spoiled feed may prevent fresh feed from flowing down. Fresh feed will keep deer coming back.

Stop by J&N Feed & Seed for your deer corn and deer feed.  We sell quality deer feed from Purina Mills.  Looking for bulk feed and delivery, we can set you up. Give us a call today.

The Capsule Game Feeder

Friday, October 28th, 2016

capsule game feederIntroducing the Capsule Game Feeder, made right here in Texas and available at J&N Feed and Seed in Graham! No more balancing on the side of a pickup truck, lifting 50 lb bags of corn overhead,to fill your feeders!  And no more watching a pack of wild hogs slam into the legs of your old tripod feeder, spilling expensive corn!

 The Capsule Game Feeder’s patented design is much more convenient than traditional feeders. Since it sits on the ground, you don’t have to hassle with ladders and winches to refill it. Simply back up a truck to the feeder, drop the tailgate and fill it up. The unique auger system pulls feed upward and broadcasts it, so you have precise control over the feed volume. Comes with a 12-volt, 70mA solar panel; and a powerful 12-volt, 5.1-amp, permanent magnet DC motor. Made of UV-resistant, polyethylene plastic. 20-year manufacturer’s warranty. Batteries not included.

500 lb capacity and 1,000 lb capacity Capsule Game Feeders 

    • Sits on the ground for easy refilling
    • Up to six feed times a day
    • Includes solar panel and motor

Stop by J&N Feed and Seed in Graham, Texas for all your game feeders, ammo and hunting supplies.

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Nature Blinds Treefeeder

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016

Nature Blinds TreefeederThe most realistic-looking wildlife feeder on the market is the Nature Blinds Treefeeder and they’re available at J&N Feed and Seed. More than a stump in a field, the TreeFeeder™ by Nature Blinds, holds 200 pounds of corn and propels corn or other feed up to 20 yards.

TreeFeeders aren’t just for deer. Set it up on the shore and use it to feed your fish, bring in the birds, or give your game a protein boost.

A great companion to our TreeBlind™, the TreeFeeder™ is a durable, easy-to-use feeder with a realistic bark texture design that blends into the natural surroundings.

Features:

  • Integrated Solar Battery Charger
  • Shoots Feed Over 20 Yards
  • Realistic Bark Texture
  • Optional Remote
  • Can Be Used With Corn, Bird or Fish Feed, or Your Favorite Attractant

Specs:

Height – 44″, Bottom Diameter – 34″, Weight – 88 lbs

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Training Your Deer To Eat From A Feeder

Monday, September 19th, 2016

Training Deer

Training Deer To Eat From A Feeder

Deer and elk have unique nutritional needs at different times of the year, as a result there can be benefits to year-round supplemental feeding to help maintain optimal health. A successful supplemental feeding program is dependent upon on training deer to consume pellets from a feeder, something that does not come naturally to them.

Utilizing the three steps below will help deer transition smoothly onto a supplemental feeding program, helping to ensure the deer’s nutritional needs are met year-round.

  1. Choose a high quality deer feed

Select a feed that is formulated to match the unique needs of animals in your area; providing them a high quality diet year round can help maximize production and health. Look for feeds that are well researched and water-resistant, this will help reduce pellet waste and labor.

  1. Select a high quality deer feeder

Free-choice self-feeders protect pellets and provide them to deer whenever they want to eat. Because deer eat several times a day, professionally made free-choice feeders (or even trough feeders) can be the best way to feed deer for maximum intake and antler growth.

One free-choice feeder can comfortably feed 25 free-ranging deer if each consumes an average of 1.5 lbs of feed per day. Place your feeders along frequently used runways or trails and be sure to have enough so that deer do not have to travel more than ½ to ¾ of a mile to a feeder. A good rule of thumb is to provide one feeder per 300-400 acres. Never hunt in a feeding area.

 

For best results, make sure your feeder location provides:

  • Easy approach into the wind
  • Good visibility
  • Access to water
  • Easy escape routes near cover
  • Good deer traffic

To help keep deer on low or unfenced property, place feeding areas near the center of your land and at least 500 yards from the perimeter, if possible. Do not place feeders along fence lines, roads, power lines or in large openings.

 

Spin feeders with corn can be a useful tool to attract deer to the area you would like to start feeding with free-choice feeders. Spin feeders toss out grain or pellets at timed intervals. It can be beneficial to mix at least 25% corn with the pellets to maintain good flow through the spin feeder.

Note that corn is extremely low in the nutrients necessary to grow big antlers. In addition, corn can founder and may kill deer if too much is consumed at one time. However, when safely used in moderation, it is ideal for drawing deer to an area and training them to eat pellets.

  1. Follow these steps to get deer eating from the feeder

Most deer are not used to seeing pellets, so they must be trained to recognize them as food and to eat them out of a feeder. It is best to start a supplemental feeding program when typical food sources (farm crops, natural vegetation, new food plots or even acorns) are no longer in abundance, such as during winter or drought conditions.

To set-up a feeder, select an area where deer traffic is good, and then follow these steps:

  1. Set up a spin feeder to throw out 1-2 pounds of corn every 6 hours, or spread it by hand using gloves or a scoop to limit human scent. This amount will attract them to the area you want to feed. Be sure to have at least one feeding in the middle of the night. Continue this until deer are consistently coming to the area to eat every day. This may take several weeks, depending on deer density, time of year and availability of other food sources.
  2. Once deer are consistently coming to the area daily looking for corn, set up a free-choice feeder filled with corn. Hand-toss corn on the ground around the feeder. When you observe deer consistently eating out of the free-choice feeder, stop hand-tossing corn.
  3. Once the deer have been eating corn out of the feeder for at least one week, change the self-feeder mixture to 1/3 pellets and 2/3 corn for another  week so the deer can get accustomed to eating pellets. Make sure they clean up the pellets before replacing the mix. If they refuse to clean up the pellets, mix in more corn with the pellets.
  4. After deer are cleaning up the pellets, transition to a mixture of ½ pellets and ½ corn for one week. If the deer continue to sort out the corn and leave the pellets, continue to mix corn in gradually reducing the amount of corn until they have access to only pellets.
  5. When the deer are consistently cleaning up the mixture and don’t leave any pellets, put 25 to 50 pounds of just pellets in the free-choice feeder. NEVER fill a feeder full of pellets the first time regardless of its size – leave room to mix in a little corn in case the deer regress a bit and stop eating pellets. When they are consistently eating pellets from the self-feeder, you may fill it completely with pellets.
  6. Keep feeders clean. Remove old, wet or spoiled feed before refilling, as deer are very sensitive to odors, and damp or spoiled feed may prevent fresh feed from flowing down. Fresh feed will keep deer coming back.

For additional information on training deer or nutrition programs for deer or elk, stop by J&N Feed and Seed.