Who Doesn't Use Feeders??

[Razrbk89]

I'll start by saying I have absolutely nothing against baiting. I've had cheap spin cast feeders that I have used in years passed, but haven't had much success with them passed does and dumb little bucks. We occasionally have bears that demolish the cheap feeders, so I've just never invested in a more expensive/sturdy feeder for any of my spots because I've never found it to be necessary where we're at. I usually do feed a little out of buckets early and late in the year to get better pictures of what's around and what survived.

I didn't grow up hunting feeders so I learned to hunt the persimmons/plots/beans in early season, then transitioned to good mast areas when the acorns drop. I have a couple spots in crossing areas that are consistent, especially during the rut. I just enjoy truly scouting the woods early and setting up and moving on deer as best I can.

Any other green screeners not use feeders much? What kind of natural setups are the most productive in your area?

[Sleepy]

I'm right there with ya, but put your seatbelt on because this thread is probably going to take you for a ride!

I'm like you though. I enjoy the scouting and setting up based on my findings and knowing that my encounters are based on what I've learned about them on my own without the aid of something bringing them to you. I like to go to the deer, not the other way around. As far as my set ups go, I hunt tree stands in areas that show consistent signs. Some of the areas look promising, and some areas don't, but you can't base deer movement on how it looks. Some places that look great, may not bring a deer through very much at all, and some places you think you may not ever see a deer, that's where they hang out. I enjoy figuring those things out.

Hunting this way for me just brings more self gratification and I have a better sense of pride shooting a deer this way, rather than over a feeder. I've done it both ways, I just have my personal preference.

[Pineywoods]

I didn't grow up hunting on feeders. I started when i met my wife about 12 years ago. I abandoned them last year because of the huge acorn crop and saw more bucks and killed more animals than anyone on our place. I enjoyed getting back to the basics...i've had my corn feeders off since last november and am not gonna fill any of them this season. It'll be old school for me again this year

[Wackmaster]

So you are saying that if someone uses feeders then they DO NOT scout and they don't know anything about deer? That seems a little self righteous to me but whatever.

[aclark0495]

I use feeders but I really never hunt over them at our place in Alto. I mainly use them to keep the deer on our property and for my kids to be able to see deer. In the past 5 years I don't think I have a pic of a buck at one of those said feeders. I usually Hand Corn with good success though.

[Sleepy]

So you are saying that if someone uses feeders then they DO NOT scout and they don't know anything about deer? That seems a little self righteous to me but whatever.

OP, this is what I warned you about ^^^^

Whackmaster, I don't think he's saying that people that hunt over feeders don't scout at all. I think he's just talking about being more detailed and observant in the scouting when not using a feeder. Just going back to the basics is all.

[fox1]

We have feeders but doubt that ill run them this year, this rain we are having will make it pointless in my opinion. Hand corn on travel routes for us this year.

[gonehuntin68]

So you are saying that if someone uses feeders then they DO NOT scout and they don't know anything about deer? That seems a little self righteous to me but whatever.

I'm not sure how you deducted that from the original post and I even read it again because I sure didn't get that from it.

I mainly hunt trails during the rut but I will still throw out corn and I also use decoys and calls during that time. After the rut I will still hunt trails some but hunt feeders more. Makes no difference to me if I kill a deer over a feeder or on a trail.

[Aggiebow88]

Don't use them in KS, use them in AR but don't hunt over them, just try to keep the deer in the area. in TX used mainly to attract hogs

[Razrbk89]

So you are saying that if someone uses feeders then they DO NOT scout and they don't know anything about deer? That seems a little self righteous to me but whatever.

No, not at all! Didn't want it to go that way. I've used them before and have absolutely no problem with it. I don't see myself planting a food plot being much different than a feeder. Heck we had a pack of deer dogs growing up and we absolutely loved running back when we still could. I'm not one to frown on anyone's hunting method!

I just predominantly hunt sign and wanted to hear what other people look for in their different parts of the world.

[Bear82]

Post was good until you mentioned "truly scouting". That opened it up for criticism. I use feeders but the deer never seem to use them during season. I usually throw out corn in different areas away from feeders where deer may be crossing.

[flywise]

hand corn is the best
i buy about 3-4 bags of corn a year and could kill my limit any year i wanted

[JW]

I do. And I dont... Just whatever the situation calls for..

[SwampRabbit]

My preferences don't match my reality.

I use corn 90% of the time. Sometimes from a feeder, sometimes from a road feeder, sometimes from throwing by hand. Out of that, hand corn is my preference, but since deer where I hunt actually do show up at the feeders, there is no sense in not hunting there.

On the pride part. I am pretty proud of kills I take from under a feeder. Why? Well, I bought that feeder. I put it together. I maintained it. I've climbed a ladder numerous times in the heat to keep it full of corn. I studied to find out the best throwing times... and how much. I've fixed stuff that weathers over time. I've moved em when they just weren't in the optimal location. I've put up stands around it. Figured out the best location based on wind and deer travel. Guest hunting over somebody else's feeder/setup is one thing... hunting a setup you put together is a completely different rewarding experience.

[Wackmaster]

No, not at all! Didn't want it to go that way. I've used them before and have absolutely no problem with it. I don't see myself planting a food plot being much different than a feeder. Heck we had a pack of deer dogs growing up and we absolutely loved running back when we still could. I'm not one to frown on anyone's hunting method!

I just predominantly hunt sign and wanted to hear what other people look for in their different parts of the world.

Not a big deal just thought you came off a little high and mighty on your original post, good luck this season!