Tips & Tactics

Late Season Feeder Trick

Late Season Feeder Trick

By Dan Acker

For hunters who use spreader-type feeders, I have a late season tip. It’s easy, inexpensive and will help keep deer around your feeder in the late wintertime.

In most regions, this tactic will also help white-tailed deer stick around your hunting area after the season is over, even if your feeders run out of feed.

When the time comes to refill my feeders, I mix a little whole oat, rye grass and sometimes wheat seeds in with my corn and regular deer feed.

Every time your feeders go off, they will spread a little seed in a wide circumference of the feeder, creating an in-demand area for whitetails.

At some point over the late fall and winter, your hunting property is bound to catch a little rain. It doesn’t take much rain and moist soil to help the seed to germinate.

Late Season Feeder TrickWhen the deer, cattle or hogs come to feed on the regular feed, they will stomp the seeds into the ground and help get things started.

The next time you come to your feeder, you will be surprised to find yourself a sweet spot — a nice stand of green surrounding your feeder.

After the first freeze and everything has died off, the green grass will be especially noticeable.

This little tip works well in the late season, and the oat, wheat and rye seeds will readily sprout, even after heavy frosts.

If you live far from your lease or hunting property, or your time and equipment are limited, adding seed to your feeders is particularly helpful.

When you decide to discontinue feeding, make sure to clean out the feeder so seeds that have gathered at the bottom won’t germinate, grow and clog the mechanisms.

I hope my tip will help other Buckmasters readers. It’s just a little extra attractant for when food becomes scarce as the winter goes along.

If you have a unique or special tip you’d like to share with Buckmasters fans, please email it to huntingtips@buckmasters.com and, if chosen, we will send you a cap signed by Jackie Bushman, along with a knife!

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