feeder/setup strategy

[jshouse]

regarding this buck:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303664

this is the first really mature buck i have ever had a shot at, after mainly hunting in east texas my whole life. like i said in the other thread, this deer was not seen in person or on camera from september 2011 to march 2012. since then, i have pretty much seen him twice a day all summer, feeding an assortment of corn, peas, protien, and soybeans. our property is only about 40 acres and is hunted to the south and to the north, so i have done everything i can to keep him close.

my question is, i am getting ready for bow season, getting my spin feeder ready to go, and am trying to figure out the best way to get that thing going out there. it is obvious, like someone pointed out in that other thread, that this guy is nervous around the feeder, although he is comfortable enough to be there late into the morning and early in the afternoon.

so, i was thinking maybe i would get the spin feeder setup this weekend and leave the gravity feeder going for another month or so?? or should i just go with the spin feeder now and stop the gravity feeder? i plan on doing the corn/soybean mix out of the spin feeder and if i put them up together they will be in the same spot.

i just dont want to wait till mid september, switch the feeders out and freak him out to where he never comes back..lol.

and with the way the property is setup, the spot i have the feeder now is about the only place i can put it where it is out of view of the guys hunting around me, so the spin feeder and my stand will be in the same spot. the stand will be almost directly behind the camera, just to the left a bit, 20 yards from the feeder.

another thought, seeing the times on the pics, would it be dumb to just leave the gravity feeder going and hope to see him during daylight, i will be studying the pics as i check them but i dont really remember seeing many of him during the middle of the night.

anyways, thanks guys, just trying to get everything ready for 9/29.

[EastTexasMan]

I've been told this, and I have also witnessed this..... I see more deer at feeders in east texas that are HUNG up, not on tripods. For some reason, it seems like they are more willing to come to a feeder that's hanging from a tree.

[Texantax]

If h's already coming in twice a day now, why not just leave well enough alone and hunt it as it is? If he's not coming in until late, set up in a staging area close to where he's eating now and try just putting out some hand corn.

[jshouse]

If h's already coming in twice a day now, why not just leave well enough alone and hunt it as it is? If he's not coming in until late, set up in a staging area close to where he's eating now and try just putting out some hand corn.

i like that, and may have to go that, but, with my property being so small, that doesnt leave me much of a staging area. they come from/bed in an unhunted small piece of property to the southeast, so i will definately check out the area between the feeder and that land. thanks.

[Texantax]

i like that, and may have to go that, but, with my property being so small, that doesnt leave me much of a staging area. they come from/bed in an unhunted small piece of property to the southeast, so i will definately check out the area between the feeder and that land. thanks.

No problem- good luck to you!! Those are some nice deer!!

[txdukklr]

whatever changes your going to make . . .. . make now as in this weekend.

Personally i think you let the demand run out and start throwing corn asap. He'll stay on schedule.

I'd also be super careful knowing where he comes from and hunting the proper wind. As suggested you might set up a tripod to ambush him at some hand corn

[JSF]

Hand corn ....no feeder! He didn't get to be big by standing under feeders!

[JDL]

I wouldn't touch anything. I would hunt the gravity feeder until he shows up in daylight. That will at least let him feed at night some and keep him on your property.

[jshouse]

i am leaning towards leaving it all how it is but will probably change my mind before i get home today.

thanks

[bbuck8]

I wouldn't touch anything. I would hunt the gravity feeder until he shows up in daylight. That will at least let him feed at night some and keep him on your property.

I agree with this.

You could set up the spinner feeder elsewhere with a camera to see if he even comes to it but I would hesitate to screw with the current set up.

Good luck and PLEASE keep us posted. Pulling for ya!!!!

[Bowhunter004]

Ill jump on the ban wagon and say leave it be. If he is comfortable with the setup the way it is, I would have a hard time changing anything. The closer 9/29 gets, he will break away from the bachelor groups and his patterns will change but dont get discouraged. I feel like if he is at your setup twice a day he is in an area he will stay in as long as hes not pushed or pressured. Try not to get discouraged or impatient, and dont hunt unless you have a perfect wind. East texas deer are not your average deer, he busts you once and you can kiss your chances goodbye IMO Goodluck and keep us updated

[jshouse]

thanks fellas, i will just leave the gravity feeder going then, unless he totally abandons the daylight in the next few weeks. gonna go get the tree stand setup this weekend and then sit back and wait.

[Cabela]

Just a thought but since you're only hunting 1 feeder for 1 deer you may want to set up 2 tripods for the wind depending on where he comes in and goes out.