What is the best deer feeder to buy? Here is a Deer Feeders Guide for the best Game feeders on the market.
The Best deer Feeders come in different shapes and sizes, and also in different designs. Whatever the reason you want the deer feeder, it is very important to pay attention to the features of the different deer feeders in the market.
In this review, we will be able to comprehensively answer the following.
- What is the best deer feeder to buy?
- Do gravity feeders work for deer?
- How high should a deer feeder be off the ground?
- Where should I put my deer feeder?
- What attracts deer the most?
Types of Deer Feeders
Pail feeder. This is a feeder that is hung from a tree or post. It is attached to a bucket or a hopper that stores the feed. It uses a spinner for dispensing.
Gravity Feeder. This type of feeder does not use mechanical parts to dispense the feed. The feed sits in a big hopper and gradually travels down through the hopper where the deer feed from it.
Tripod Feeder. This type of feeder does not require a tree or post for mounting it. The feeder comes with a tripod that enables more freedom when choosing where to buy it.
What is the Best Deer Feeder?
The deer is the most hunted animal in all wildlife, being famous for its meat and antlers. Trying to capture them or getting close to the animal is however not as easy as it looks. The animal is likely to get frightened when there are people nearby.
The easiest way to get the animal is to lure the animal with food. Deer feeders are the best accessories for attracting deer, and they can be used for both viewing and hunting purposes. How effective a deer feeder depends on the deer feeder you choose.
The best deer feeders have the following features: Easy to use and install, Excellent Timer, Secure, Durable, and Safe among many more we are going to look at.
1) Moultrie Tripod Feeders
Moultrie Tripod Feeders
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Moultrie Tripod FeedersMoultrie Tripod Feeders never disappoint. These deer feeders have additional legs which help in keeping the hopper away from varmints. These deer feeders are also programmable up to six times every day.
These deer feeders are also wind resistant and easy to use. The Moultrie are some of the best deer feeders in the market.
Moultrie Tripod Feeders Features
- Spinner Plate-The Spinner plate is has a custom design that effectively stops the wind from interfering the operations of the feeder. The plate is also made of galvanized metal for the best operation.
- A programmable digital timer-The Programmable digital timer can have up to 6 daily feeds with each having a duration of 1-20 seconds.
- Quick-Lock-Operating the lock is simple. You only need to push together and twist and you have a secure lock.
- An External power port-The The external power port works with a 6-Volt Deluxe Solar Panel. The deer feeder can also work with a Feeder Power Panel.
- Battery and Feed Level Indicators-The Battery and Feed Level indicators are very effective in the prevention of downtime.
2) REDNEK Redneck Outdoors T-post Gravity Feeder
REDNEK Redneck Outdoors T-post Gravity Feeder
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Features
- Maintenance Free– heavy-duty and all-weather polyethylene makes this deer feeder maintenance free.
- Has No Mechanical Parts -eliminating instances of break down during harsh weather.
- Easy to Operate-. It’s very easy to mount. You only have to attach the feeder to a fencing t-post with the V-groove on the back.
- Durable- the fact that it’s heavy-duty and all-weather making this one of the best deer feeders in the market
3) Moultrie 6.5 Gallon Pro Hunter Hanging Feeder
Moultrie 6.5 Gallon Pro Hunter Hanging Feeder
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Features
- Capacity-6.5-gallon metal bucket with a 40 lb. capacity
- Finish– Has a Mossy Oak® Break-Up Infinity camo finish
- Digital timer-The digital timer is able to programs up to 6 feed time every day, 1 -20 seconds for each
- Quick Lock– The Quick-Lock adapter is able to mount to any barrel or hopper
- Feed Pattern-360º feed pattern which enhances widespread coverage definitely a feature found only in the best deer feeders in the market
4) AMERICAN HUNTER R-Pro Kit Digital Timer & Guard
AMERICAN HUNTER R-Pro Kit Digital Timer & Guard
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Features
- Best in the market– One of the best GSM Products
- Digital timer-Includes a Digital Clock Timer and Guard
- Adjustable-Adjustable Feed rate
- Varmint guard-made in such a way that it keeps off varmints
- Flexibility-Fits most any feed container
- Durable-Weather resistant housing is an important feature for the best deer feeders in the market
5) Wildgame Innovations Quick-Set 225
Wildgame Innovations Quick-Set 225
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Features
- Easy to operate and Install-Easy 15-minute set up
- Durability– Has a 30 gal/225lb poly barrel design
- Feed Times-has 4 feed times
- Spinner plate– Has a Galvanized steel spinner plate
- Power Control Unit– Has a new design digital power control unit
- Stand-Comes with stand
6) Backyard Boys Woodworking GS26GR Large Platform Feeder, Green
Backyard Boys Woodworking GS26GR Large Platform Feeder
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Features
- Material-This Feeder is made from recycled plastic
- Drainage- has a metal mesh at the bottom for easy drainage
- Ground Feeding– can be used to feed birds and wildlife
7) On Time 11113 Lifetime Elite Feeder Timer Only
On Time 11113 Lifetime Elite Feeder Timer Only
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Features
- Housing and construction– has an all-aluminum construction
- LCD-programmable LCD
- Universal mounting– this feeder works perfectly with most hoppers
- Waterproof- the feeder is waterproof and the LCD is well protected with a house of its own in the base.
- Feedings– Has Customized feedings of 1 – 6 times each day, with durations of 1 -30 seconds
- The programmed-This feeder is programmed with 3 motor speeds
8) Moultrie 30 Gallon Easy-Lock Tripod Deer Feeder
Moultrie 30 Gallon Easy-Lock Tripod Deer Feeder
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Features
- Easy to Operate– The feeder is less than 6′ in height making it easy to fill
- Control box– The control box is easy to access
- Protection– The Control box protects the timer and battery in a lock that is weather-resistant.
- Design-Has a tapered design
- Capacity– Has a 30-gallon capacity which is able to hold up to 200lbs
- Programmable digital timer– The digital timer is able to schedule up to 6 feedings a day which dispenses between 1-20 seconds
Varmint Guards for Deer Feeders
The guard is used to protect your feed from unwanted pests.
Here are the best Varmint Guard for Deer feeders
Wildgame Innovations Varmint Feeder Cage
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This Wildgame Innovations Varmint Feeder Cage is easy to install and can be modified to meet all the needs of your feeder. The Guard also features a solid steel frame and power control feeder protection. Set up is easy as the product comes with the setup hardware.
Moultrie Varmint Guard 14
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This Moultrie Varmint Guard 14 is very effective in keeping off raccoons, birds, and squirrels. The guard mounts easily on buckets and drums and is very durable thanks to the all-metal construction.
Highwild Varmint Cage Feeder Guard
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The Highwild Varmint Cage Feeder Guard is a universal cage that works great for 30 and 55-gallon barrels. It’s very effective thanks to the smaller mesh design which protects the feeder from coons and squirrels.
The connection is stabilized by the fastening buckles. It’s easy to assemble and very appealing, it’s made of solid steel with a powder coat finish.
Boss Buck Varmint Cage
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Boss Buck’s Deluxe Varmint cage perfectly bolts to the 6 molded inserts on Boss Buck feed hoppers. It’s easy to assemble. Offers great protection to Expensive feeders.
Ultramatic Deer Feeders Varmint Guard
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The Ultramatic Deer Feeders Varmint Guard is a 14″ x 14″ x 14″ cubed guard that easily mounts on flat-bottomed feeder hoppers, it’s very effective for coons and squirrels. It comes with 9 mounting brackets and self-drilling screws and has doors on the front and bottom for easy access.
Deer Feeder Lights
After installing the deer feeders you may need a light to monitor your feeder, Here are some recommendations
Moultrie Feeder Hog Light
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The Moultrie Feeder Hog Light is compatible with most brand feeders, it attaches easily to Moultrie feeders. The hog light has 35 high-powered LEDs and you can adjust the brightness to your preference. The hog light illuminates game up to 30 feet. it has manual, motion and photocell activation. It also has a 4-way switch with on, off, dusk and motion modes plus an external power port.
Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Light
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This Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Light is the best for predator and hog hunting. It’s easy to install and is Pir Activated. The light has a Built-in Solar panel and has a weatherproof design. This is a 16-green LED light System.
Kill Light Xtreme
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This Elusive Wildlife Kill Light Xtreme Bright Motion Activated Feeder Light is a 30-40 feet illuminator, its Motion activated and very effective in battery life-lengthening. The batteries are either C-cell batteries or 12 or 6-volt feeder batteries. The light is 4 times brighter than ordinary ones.
Lilbees Solar Green Feeder Lights
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Lilbees Solar Green Feeder Lights are very efficient solar-powered LED lights. They are eco-friendly and have a built-in 2000mAh Li-ion battery. The lights come with an Automatic PIR Motion Sensor and produce 30-40ft Illumination Around the Feeder. The lights have Multi-Level Protection for shielding the light from rain. dust, corrosion, and moisture. It’s very easy to install.
Hanger Deer Feeders
Let’s look at some of the best Hanger Deer Feeders and Hangers.
Moultrie Hanging Feeder Hoist
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This Moultrie Hanging Feeder Hoist is one of the best, it’s able to hoist heavy feeders and strongly secure them without the need to tie knots. It’s easy to raise and secure up to 300 pounds on trees or poles.
The Hoist locks in place as you pull the rope. The Chain-and-bracket design makes it easy to install.
EZ-Feeder Hanger
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This EZ-Feeder Hanger is made and designed to make it easy when used. It’s solid and top quality. It easily secures to any tree with the chain or a nylon ratchet strap and supports over 250 lbs.
Deer Feeder Solar Panels
Here are the best deer feeder solar panels
- Wildgame Innovations eDRENALINE Solar Panel
- Boss Buck Drum Mount Solar Panel, Black, 12-Volt
- Moultrie Feeder Power Panel | 6-Volt | Built-in Battery Indicator
- AMERICAN HUNTER Solar Charger
- Moultrie 12 Volt Solar Panel
Deer Feeder Batteries
- Wildgame Innovations 6-Volt eDRENALINE Tab Style Rechargeable Battery
- Universal Power Group 6 Volt 6V 4.5AH Rechargeable Deer Game Feeder Battery – 2 Pack
- AMERICAN HUNTER Rechargeable Battery
- 6 Volt 6v 4.5ah Rechargeable Deer Game Feeder Battery by Neptune – 2 Pack
Deer Feeder Parts for Replacement
You can get Replacement parts Here.
Terminologies used with Deer Feeders
Feed-This is the food that is used to feed the animals. It varies depending on the user, ranging from grains and seeds.
Spin plate-It is a device that is found on bucket feeders that dispenses the food. It is attached to a motor that spins while the feed is being released.
Hopper-This is a vessel that holds the feed being used. It can have a capacity of up to hundreds of pounds where the feed is placed.
Varmint guard-This is a preventive device that prevents squirrels and other rodents from getting the feed. The rodents chew through parts of the feeder making protection necessary. The device is mostly made of metal.
T-post-This is a style of feeder that is mounted into the ground by using a bracket system. Most of them have a concave back piece to allow for tree mounting.
Criteria and Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Deer Feeder
Game Feeders have a lot of differences, even though they serve the same purposes. Below are some of the factors to consider before buying the best deer feeders / Game Feeders
The power usage-This factor is only included in electric Game feeders and not the traditional ones. The best deer feeders in the market should be able to last a whole season before the power runs out. A better feeder is one that runs throughout multiple seasons before the power runs out. Even though a long-lasting feeder may be expensive, it saves you a lot of extra costs compared to a cheaper feeder.
Durability-This cover factors like waterproofing, material quality, and longevity. You can judge a deer feeder by what material it is made of. Preference is given to waterproof feeders but it is very important to consider the material used to make the feeder. One should consider if the material has a good job of keeping bacteria out since it led to moldy and stale food. Durability is one of the most important features to look for in the best deer feeders in the market.
Customer support-It is important to buy a deer feeder from a supplier that has good customer support. The supplier should have a contact that is easy to reach when one has questions to ask about the deer feeder. The supplier/company should also have a website that provides stable information on the deer feeders.
Price-This is a very important factor that most buyers consider. Most deer feeders are low priced hence the prices should not be difficult to choose from. However, an expensive feeder does not automatically mean it is of good quality and vice versa. The best deer feeders in the market should offer quality at a price that meets your budget.
Extras-This feature also only applies to electric feeders only. The extras, in this case, are the things on the menu button including preset and custom scheduling options. Not many feeders have custom scheduling options. The best deer feeders in the market come with extra features for the best feeding experience.
Feed support-It is very important to get a feeder that considers the type of food that could be used, the amount, and the course size of the feeding area. These three factors are however very hard to find in one feeder so it is advisable to go with the one that suits your purpose best.
Cost of the feeder-If you are on a budget, a homemade feeder is the best alternative as it is cheap. The greatest advantage of homemade feeders is that you can make several of them. If you have not made the feeders before or if you do not have the expertise to make them, you might end up spending more money than you would have by buying the feeder. It is, however, better to buy a feeder than to make one as it comes with many advantages like after-sales services and warranties.
Safety-One main difference between homemade and purchased feeders is that the purchased feeders are safer than the homemade ones. This is because the company’s manufacturing of such feeders is more likely to follow stringent regulatory and industrial standards. Unless you know what you are doing, it is not advisable to make a deer feeder from home as it might not only hurt you but also the animal. Safety is definitely one factor you should put emphasis on when choosing the best deer feeders in the market.
Design-When considering design, a manufactured deer feeder would be a better option as the specialists understand the elements that should be considered when designing a feeder. The best design is one that ensures the feed is protected from moisture and rodents, and one that ensures animals will not have open access to it. The feeder should have a dispenser, and it should be big to keep a lot of food so that one would not keep filling it up.
Best Deer Feeder FAQs
What is the best Deer Feeder timer?
The Timer Digital Deer Feeder Timer
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This digital timer is very reliable, it’s easy to operate and easy to connect to the Game Feeders/ Deer Feeders. The timer has two wires for easy connection to the motor, two more for connecting to the battery, and uses slide-on “F1” size connectors.
The Timer will feed up to 6 times a day and easily and effectively operate on 6-volt and 12-volt systems. Other important features are: uses two AA batteries, Protection by a 10-amp glass fuse, and has a 5-year warranty.
How High Should a Deer Feeder be off the Ground?
Everyone has a different answer to this question but experts and pundits will tell you that 42 inches are ideal, this is because one cannot place game feeders high enough to prevent raccoons and still make it easy for the deer to feed. The higher the feeder is from the ground the less effective it will be.
How Many Deer Feeders do I need?
The best way to determine how many deer feeders is by herd size and size of the land, Get one Game feeder station for 25 deer and at least one feeder for 400 acres. The best place for the deer feeder is in transition areas and the travel corridors of the deer, along the edges, is also good place.
How long does Corn last in a Deer Feeder?
Corn on the feeder will last or run out in two to three weeks. Corn is a famous food supplement for Game feeders, corn is low in proteins and has very low nutritional value, experts have warned that corn can cause acidosis if it’s consumed too quickly, hence the need use it sparingly.
You should also ensure that the corn is prevented from weevils by having weevil prone cone put in a freezer for approximately four days to kill the larvae that hatched into weevils. Corn is very effective in keeping deer warm during winter.
What is the best time to set up a deer feeder?
The most effective Game Feeders are Programed to go off 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before dark. Have the timer run just before sunset around 5:00-5:15 p.m. as the best time to attract mature deers? Set the feeder near the deer trail, the bedding area.
What is the best natural deer attractant?
Whitetail Institute Imperial Clover Food Plot Seed
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The best way to attract deer naturally is by use of a food plot, peanut butter, and saltwater.
What smells are deer attracted to?
Deers are attracted to soil smell of soil, pour some buck or doe urine on the soil will also make it more attractive. Peanut butter is also one of the best ways to attract deer, it’s easy and comfortable. Deers love eating fruits and nuts
Conclusion
Deer feeders are the best option for feeding the animals during harsh conditions like winter and summer when there is little or no food.
For whatever reason one is buying Game feeders, it is advisable to ensure that the deer feeder you are using meets set standards and regulations.