Protein Feeder Question

[Smart]

I have 1-500 lb all season feeder. It will be gone in 2-3 weeks.
I’m 4 hours away and I go to fill up feeders every 6 weeks. So the protein sits empty for 3 weeks. My budget on the feed bill is already high running 4 timed feeders.

I can buy a timed protein feeder to make it last for the 6 weeks or let the one I have now stay empty for 3 weeks until I get back.

Which way is best? Thoughts n opinions are welcomed

IMO ...Some feed there every day at least gives the mature bucks a chance to get to it. They can run anything off of it being the mature deer. He cant get any showing up to an empty feeder for three weeks .

[Top Of Texas]

In the '90s, we had Lamcos in S TX. That was prior to my knowledge of the existence of tube feeders.

I liked Lamco because I could control when and how much feed was thrown. But they require constant monitoring, a couple times per week, to ensure there was always just a small amount of unconsumed feed each check. That way, I knew everyone was getting their fill. At first we followed the mantra of - don't hunt over supplemental feeders. But we quickly realized the foolishness of that and just followed the "Maltzberger Rules". And vuela - big, old bucks on the tailgate, killed at supplemental feeders prior to the rut. Of course, you could do the same with corn feeders if you followed the same rules.

What I did not like about Lamco was the high need for monitoring. If you're absentee then probably not a good idea. Plus, when it rained, you have to clean out the trough because the deer won't eat it if it gets wet.

[Top Of Texas]

Our biologist told us that clearing cedar (and some brush) in the right areas will grow more protein than you could ever put out in a feeder.
Any opinions on that?

Yes! And within reason. Your biologist is doing a good job of maintaining focus on what's important to all the plants and animals that live, or could live, on the piece of land that God saw fit to put under your stewardship. There is always way more going on in a system than just the size of antlers, much of which effects the size of those antlers.

Can supplemental feed grow bigger antlers? Yes. That's well documented. I mean, dang, look at what they're growing in pens. I could do that in the Walmart parking lot. But in a native system, you'll see feed consumption greatly decrease with high rainfall, and greatly increase during drought. That's the deer revealing to you that they prefer high quality, natural forage...when it's available. The purpose the supplemental feed serves is to fill those gaps and to increase digestion of natural forages. Remember, it's a supplement not a substitute.

Habitat first, then feed.

[dirtybay]

I’m going to be upgrading to timed feeders once my current feeders run dry. Leaning heavy towards the hammer system.

[dirtybay]

I’m going to be upgrading to timed feeders once my current feeders run dry. Leaning heavy towards the hammer system.

[DUKFVR]

The thing I like about the hammer system is it let me choose how long to let them feed. I have mine open from daylight to dark. That way I stop some of the coon traffic. They eat all they want as long as they do it in my timing. As of a few weeks ago I was going through about 900 lbs of protein every 2 weeks. Gets $$$,but I like helping the deer out if possible.

[SanSaba007]

I have a 1200 lb ASF timed feeder. I live 5 hours from the property and sometimes can’t make it out for a few weeks. The feeder has been great.

[mjhaverkamp]

Yes! And within reason. Your biologist is doing a good job of maintaining focus on what's important to all the plants and animals that live, or could live, on the piece of land that God saw fit to put under your stewardship. There is always way more going on in a system than just the size of antlers, much of which effects the size of those antlers.

Can supplemental feed grow bigger antlers? Yes. That's well documented. I mean, dang, look at what they're growing in pens. I could do that in the Walmart parking lot. But in a native system, you'll see feed consumption greatly decrease with high rainfall, and greatly increase during drought. That's the deer revealing to you that they prefer high quality, natural forage...when it's available. The purpose the supplemental feed serves is to fill those gaps and to increase digestion of natural forages. Remember, it's a supplement not a substitute.

Habitat first, then feed.

I am all about trying to improve the forage on our new ranch, as far as hunting over the protein feeders, we will not have them in the same feed pens, they will be more secluded, that does not mean we would not try and set up on one if there was a big trophy buck hitting it during day light hours.

[Top Of Texas]

I am all about trying to improve the forage on our new ranch, as far as hunting over the protein feeders, we will not have them in the same feed pens, they will be more secluded, that does not mean we would not try and set up on one if there was a big trophy buck hitting it during day light hours.

We started hunting supplemental feeders after unsuccessfully looking for a specific buck. We hunted corned senderos within 400 yds of his favorite feeder for several days, and he never showed. The developed Trail Master photos later revealed that he was at the feeder while we were sitting in the blind staring down the yellow brick road. We built blinds, established Maltzberger rules of use, and started killing big, old deer prior to the rut.

I'll add, that I haven't hunted over any feeders in 23 years, other than to whack a few does over corn.

[mikemorvan]

We started hunting supplemental feeders after unsuccessfully looking for a specific buck. We hunted corned senderos within 400 yds of his favorite feeder for several days, and he never showed. The developed Trail Master photos later revealed that he was at the feeder while we were sitting in the blind staring down the yellow brick road. We built blinds, established Maltzberger rules of use, and started killing big, old deer prior to the rut.

I'll add, that I haven't hunted over any feeders in 23 years, other than to whack a few does over corn.

for us (me) ignorant wretches:

what are Maltzberger Rules?

[Top Of Texas]

for us (me) ignorant wretches:

what are Maltzberger Rules?

Those were rules established by a rancher in LaSalle County, Bill Maltzberger. I was astounded that they killed all their best bucks over corn feeders well before the rut, year after year. You couldn't pay me to hunt over a corn feeder at the place I was working at the time.

Rules:
1) Only hunt a feeder when the wind is absolutely perfect.
2) Box blind has only 1 window, facing the feeder, and the window folds inward to serve as a bench rest.
3) Can hunt same feeder no more than 3 days in a row.
4) If a buck is shot, must wait at least 1 week before hunting that feeder again.
5) Trophy bucks only. No does or cull bucks from feeders.

I think most of that is fairly common these days, but in the '90s it was very eye opening, to an ignorant young man anyway. So, we built blinds over our supplemental feeders (about 150 yds) and had excellent results. The rules are just an attempt at not educating the deer to associate death with the feeder. Typically, they would hear only 2 shots, at the most, in a given year and never smell or see a hunter.

[1riot1ranger]

I switched to an ASF timed feeder and haven't regretted it once. With a free choice feeder the hogs and racoons had all night buffets at my expense. As said, the timer helps to bring them out in the daylight.

[Spiderpig1776]

Ideally I’d think running a timed feeder and a free choice on a limited basis would be best since it wouldn’t ever totally go empty

[hammer63]

I have 1-500 lb all season feeder. It will be gone in 2-3 weeks.
I’m 4 hours away and I go to fill up feeders every 6 weeks. So the protein sits empty for 3 weeks. My budget on the feed bill is already high running 4 timed feeders.

I can buy a timed protein feeder to make it last for the 6 weeks or let the one I have now stay empty for 3 weeks until I get back.

Which way is best? Thoughts n opinions are welcomed

Just food for thought...........

[gtsticker]

Just food for thought...........

Interesting! where did this study take place and who administrated it?