If you’re looking to get into hunting or if you want to expand on your existing gear, a good quality deer feeder is a must. If you need extra peace of mind, a deer feeder can help with that.
You need a decent device that will keep deer grazing on your land consistently, and this is especially important for hunting bow.
A deer feeder can make your hunting excursions a lot easier for you, but with so many of them on the market right now it can be difficult to know if what you’re buying is going to hit the mark.
We’re here to show you some of the best deer feeders, and we’ve also written a buyer’s guide so you know what some of the things you need to look out for are.
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Best Deer Feeders - Comparison Table
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Best Deer Feeders - Reviews
If you want bang for your buck, then the Moultrie Deer Feeder Standard is a great choice for you. It’s a reliable piece of hunting equipment that will last for far more than just one season!
The device has a durable construction, consisting of UV-resistant plastic. It stands at a whopping 5.5 feet so it’s more than simple to reach it even from ground-level.
It has a 30 gallon hopper, and it can be programmed to feed for up to 4 times per day if you’re in an area heavily populated by deer.
The device comes with quick lock technology which allows you to switch the motors from different Moultrie feeders.
It also comes with all you need to power it, with 4 AA batteries and a very long battery life to go with it.
The product comes with a good 1 year warranty, though it could do with being slightly longer! You could also get the unlimited model of the Moultrie Tripod Feeders, as this helps much more with keeping any vermin away from your deer feed.
It also comes with an anti-clog mechanism too which definitely makes it worth the slightly higher price tag. The device can even be used in conjunction with 6v solar chargers.
Pros
Cons
As we’ve shown above, Moultrie offers a wide range of high quality Tripod deer feeders. The 30-Gallon Pro addition to this range.
This deer feeder makes feeding deer as easy as possible, so you can lure in your target simply and effectively.
This deer feeder has the ability to time the feedings to your liking and can do so for up to six times per day between 1 to 20 seconds.
The feeder can contain up to 200 pounds total. The device even comes with an estimator that will help you to gauge how much feed you have remaining inside the hopper. The device is 9’ tall and its metal legs are incredibly durable and long lasting.
The feeder comes with a 360 degrees feed pattern so you will get a lot of coverage with this feeder. It’s an easy feeder to put together too, so you don’t need to worry about getting frustrated with it.
Pros
Cons
changing your feed every five minutes with this feeder, you can leave it for some time without much issue.
The feeder is very durable, made with an exterior of HDPE UV Protected plastic. This means you don’t have to worry about the feeder rusting or rotting.
It needs fairly little maintenance, and it comes with 4” I.D. feed ports. It can also be easily changed from a spin caster to a gravity feeder as you see fit. It’s simply powered by a 12 volts battery.
The one main issue with this feeder is that it can be a little difficult to load because the legs stand at 72” tall. If this is not a problem and you’ve brought a stepladder, then there’s nothing to worry about.
Pros
Cons
With a maximum capacity of 350 pounds, the Boss Buck 350 is a beast of a deer feeder. Forget about changing your feed every five minutes with this feeder, you can leave it for some time without much issue.
The feeder is very durable, made with an exterior of HDPE UV Protected plastic. This means you don’t have to worry about the feeder rusting or rotting.
It needs fairly little maintenance, and it comes with 4” I.D. feed ports. It can also be easily changed from a spin caster to a gravity feeder as you see fit. It’s simply powered by a 12 volts battery.
The one main issue with this feeder is that it can be a little difficult to load because the legs stand at 72” tall. If this is not a problem and you’ve brought a stepladder, then there’s nothing to worry about.
Pros
Cons
With a classic design, you may think at first glance that the Redneck Outdoors T-Post Gravity Feeder doesn’t look like much. Contrary to that view, this deer feeder packs a lot of punches. The feeder doesn’t use any electronics.
The feeder needs to be sat upon a T post or something similar with a ratchet strap. It has a decent capacity, being able to hold up to 80 pounds of feed.
The design is just a basic funnel that you can also use to control how much feed flows out to the bottom and when. It’s incredibly easy to set up, and you can adjust the height to your liking. The tube size for the feed is more than large enough for the deer to use, and thankfully it doesn’t result in the feed being tossed all over the floor.
It’s very durable too, and is great in a wide range of different weather conditions.
The construction of the feeder is also a good deterrent from squirrels and raccoons - they’ll have a hard time chewing through to the feed with the durable plastic material.
Pros
Cons
Best Deer Feeders - Buyers Guide
There are a lot of considerations that need to be made when it comes to hunting deer. There’s so much that goes into making the ideal hunting area so you can easily catch big game.
The main benefit of a deer feeder is that they can help to lure in your target, and in some circumstances multiple targets at once. They’re also pretty useful in maintaining the proper antle growth in the deer, as they will provide the deer with a good source of nutrients.
With that being said, deer feeders can be expensive. You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re stuck with a deer feeder that’s malfunctioned and it costs too much to replace.
There are a lot of products out there, and there are a lot of different variations of deer feeders. Let’s walk through some of the things you need to consider when purchasing a deer feeder.
Location
The main question to ask yourself right off the bat is where are you planning on setting up the deer feeder? If you’re setting up on land that you own or you’re able to get yourself transport to the feeder then you have a couple more options as far as style is concerned.
Larger deer feeders are going to be a lot harder to manually transport to the designated location without a vehicle. If you’re going to walk there, you’ll need something that’s lighter to carry and it’s much easier to move around.
Refilling
Whilst the initial set up of the feeder is important, it’s equally as important to be able to refill the feeder on a regular basis, and this may be for multiple months of the year throughout the hunting season.
If you’re going to be using a vehicle to get to the feeder, then you can move much larger amounts of feed and also a ladder so you can consistently fill it up. If you’re hiking then you need to make an assessment of how much you’re able to bring with you, and also if you’re even able to do it yourself.
If the feeder is tall then you need to keep in mind that you will likely need something like a stepladder to be able to reach it. With this in mind it’s worth taking a vehicle to carry the ladder and food with you.
There are some feeders that are supposed to be used with the buyer standing on ground level when they’re loading it up, which is important if you’re travelling on foot.
Durability
Whenever you’re buying a product, it’s important to consider how durable the item is. This is especially true when it comes to buying a deer feeder. Not all deer feeder manufacturers are designed to be long lasting.
You should always try to ensure that your deer feeder can withstand your hunting climate. It needs to be able to withstand the wind, sun, rain and sometimes even snow.
The feeder should also be able to withstand any damage that may come from encountering animals. This may be rubbing or eating from it. It could end up being tipped over which isn’t ideal for attracting more animals. This is especially true if the animals you’re hunting are particularly large.
Repelling Vermin
The chances are that deer won’t be the only thing drawn to your deer feeder. You may find that some vermin will try to chew their way through the feeder to get to the food that’s inside the device.
If you’re spending a lot of money on a deer feeder, you don’t want vermin destroying it before you’ve even had the chance to use it to catch the game.
Raccoons are especially problematic as they’re able to climb up the device. They can spill all of the food in the device and it will end up onto the ground. This will mean you’ll need to buy more to replace it.
When buying a deer feeder, you should check the type of varmint protection that you can use with the deer feeder, otherwise all of your hard work will go to waste.
Some types of deer feeder will have a cage that’s positioned on the outside of the feed dispenser, and some will also have attachments you can put on the legs to stop animals from climbing up to mess with the feeder.
Mechanical parts
The mechanical parts that are contained inside of the feeder need to be robust. There are a lot of automatic feeders on the market that allow you to select the times when you can dispense the feed. Some provide feed from the top of the device, while others will surround the feeder.
Mechanical parts that move a lot can sometimes be more likely to break, so it’s vital that you ensure how durable these parts are. You need something you can rely on to get the job done properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re not looking to necessarily hunt deer and just want to use the deer feeder to feed the deer, then there are a few things to keep in mind to properly feed them.
What type of feed should I use?
If you’re not looking to hunt the prey, it’s a good idea to know what kind of thing to feed the deer. A lot of people tend to use corn straight for their feeder. This is okay, as long as this isn’t the main thing in the deer’s budget.
If you’re feeding the deer a lot with much larger amounts of food, you should try to use a food that provides the deer with a balanced diet to keep them healthy.
If you plan on using a pellet feed then you should try to ensure that the feeder is swell resistant so that the feeder doesn’t get clogged up, especially when there’s been a lot of rain.
How often do I need to feed?
Two times a day is more than enough to feed. You should try not to get the deer to feed after dark when you won’t necessarily be able to hunt. Dawn and later in the evening usually works best.
How much food do I need to use at a time?
Don’t ever feed more than is strictly necessary. You will need to make sure that you match the amount of feed to the population of deer that is in your area.
Ideally you need to feed them enough that they will stop for a short time, but it shouldn’t become the main aspect of their diet. The deer shouldn’t become dependent on it when it’s out of season.
What feeding practices are ethical?
You should use food that is designed specifically for deer and that will give lots of good nutrition to the deer. Corn is good for attracting the deer but it can be fatal if provided in large amounts.
You should always try to provide just enough feed to draw the deer in but not too much. Make sure that the deer will only stop at the location of your feeder, and not stay for long periods of time. When deer are around each other too much they can be more susceptible to contracting diseases.
How much space can a deer feeder cover?
Generally it depends on how large the herd is, as well as how big of a space you have. A small feeder for every 100 acres is more than enough. You shouldn't set more than you need to. This is simply a waste of money.
Can leaving food in a feeder too long cause problems?
The vast majority of deer feeders are designed to ensure that the food keeps safe and dry. Certain foods such as natural feeds and corn can last for many months without needing to be changed. You should still try to check the feed periodically for any signs of mold.
If it’s clean you don’t need to do anything about it. If you’re going to use pellet feed you should always try to follow the instructions laid out by the manufacturer. Always get rid of any food that’s gone moldy.
