To set up a deer feeder, pick a spot near cover with a clear shooting lane from your blind, level and secure the feeder, set the timer to throw small amounts around sunrise and late afternoon, fill it with fresh feed that is appropriate for the season, and protect it from hogs and raccoons. Before you do any of that, confirm the rules for where and how you hunt with Texas Parks and Wildlife. The details below will help you avoid the most common mistakes.
Step 1: Check the Rules First
Feeding deer and hunting near feeders is common on private land in Texas, but rules can differ depending on the property, the type of land, and the species. Public hunting lands often have restrictions on baiting and feeding. Before you place a feeder, review current Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regulations and any lease or landowner rules. Regulations can change, so check each season rather than relying on what was true in the past.
Step 2: Choose the Right Location
Placement matters more than the feeder itself. A good spot gives deer a reason to feel safe and gives you a shot.
- Near cover, not in it. Deer like to approach feed from thick cover. Placing a feeder on the edge of brush, a creek bottom, or a thicket lets deer stage nearby and step out.
- Consider the wind. Think about the prevailing wind during hunting season and set the feeder so your blind is downwind of where deer will approach.
- Mind the sun. Avoid setups where you are staring into the sunrise or sunset through your shooting window.
- Distance from your blind. Choose a distance you can shoot accurately and ethically with your weapon. Bowhunters will need it much closer than rifle hunters.
- Safe backstop. Make sure there is a safe background behind the feeder with no roads, houses, or other hunters.
- Access. You need to refill it. A spot you can reach with a vehicle or cart without driving through your best bedding cover saves a lot of disturbance.
Step 3: Assemble and Secure the Feeder
Most feeders fall into a few types: tripod spin feeders, hanging feeders, and gravity-style protein feeders. Brands such as Moultrie, Wildgame Innovations, and Muddy offer a range of sizes and designs.
- Set tripod legs on level ground and stake or anchor them so wind and hogs cannot tip the feeder.
- For hanging feeders, use a strong limb or a sturdy pole and rope, and keep the spinner high enough off the ground that hogs cannot reach it.
- Make sure the lid seals tightly to keep rain out. Wet feed clumps, molds, and jams the spinner.
- Install fresh batteries and confirm the motor spins before you walk away.
Step 4: Set the Timer
Most spin feeders use a digital timer that lets you choose feeding times and how many seconds the motor runs each time. Some common guidelines:
- Feed at the times you hunt. A feeding shortly after sunrise and another in the last hour or two of daylight trains deer to show up when you are in the blind.
- Start small. A few seconds per feeding is a common starting point. You can increase run time if feed disappears quickly, or reduce it if feed is piling up and spoiling.
- Avoid overnight feeding if hogs are a problem. Feed that sits on the ground all night is an open invitation to hogs and raccoons.
- Adjust as days get shorter. Sunrise and sunset shift through the season, so revisit your timer settings periodically. Some timers adjust automatically with a photocell.
Pairing the feeder with a trail camera makes it easy to see when deer are actually coming in and fine-tune your timing.
Step 5: Pick the Right Feed: Corn vs Protein
Corn
Corn is the most common feed thrown from spin feeders in Texas. It is an attractant that brings deer in, but it is high in carbohydrates and relatively low in protein, so it is not a complete diet. Buy corn labeled for wildlife feed, and look for product that has been tested for aflatoxin, a toxin produced by mold that can be harmful to wildlife. Store corn in a dry place and do not use feed that is moldy, musty, or wet.
Protein pellets
Protein feed is designed to supplement deer nutrition, especially during antler growth, fawning, and late summer when natural forage can be poor. It is typically offered free-choice in gravity feeders rather than broadcast on a timer. Many landowners run protein feeders year-round as part of a broader habitat program, while using corn in spin feeders mainly during hunting season.
Rice bran and blends
Some hunters mix corn with rice bran or use commercial blends. Whatever you use, keep it fresh, keep it dry, and stay consistent.
Step 6: Keep Hogs and Raccoons Off Your Feeder
Feral hogs and raccoons can empty a feeder fast and run deer off the site. A few proven tactics:
- Spinner cages. A wire cage around the spin plate stops raccoons from climbing down and scooping feed straight out of the spinner.
- Raise the feeder. A higher tripod or hanging height keeps hogs from bumping or rubbing the spinner, and it spreads feed over a wider area.
- Pen protein feeders. Many hunters build a pen of livestock or hog panels around protein feeders. The goal is a pen that hogs cannot get through while deer can still get in.
- Feed only in daylight. Limiting overnight feed helps reduce nighttime hog visits.
- Remove hogs. In Texas, feral hogs are generally considered an exotic, non-game nuisance species and are often hunted or trapped to control damage. Methods and license requirements vary, so check current TPWD rules before you hunt or trap them.
Step 7: Maintain It Through the Season
- Check feed levels, batteries, and spinner operation on every visit.
- Clean out old or clumped feed, especially after heavy rain.
- Look for chew damage, loose legs, or a lid that is not sealing.
- Refill in the middle of the day when deer are less likely to be on the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far should a deer feeder be from my blind?
Set it at a distance you can shoot accurately and ethically with your weapon, with a safe backstop. Rifle hunters often have more flexibility than bowhunters, who usually need the feeder fairly close.
How long does it take deer to find a new feeder?
It varies with deer density, other food sources, and how much pressure the property gets. A trail camera on the feeder is the easiest way to know when deer have started using it.
Should I run my feeder year-round?
Some landowners run protein year-round as a supplement and use corn mainly during season. It depends on your goals, budget, and property. Make sure any feeding complies with current TPWD regulations.
Why is my feeder not throwing feed?
Common causes are dead batteries, wet or clumped feed jamming the spinner, a timer that was not saved correctly, or animal damage to wiring. Test the motor and clean the funnel first.
When you are ready to set one up, browse our deer feeders, from tripod spin feeders to protein feeders and replacement parts. To get the most from your setup, read our guide to choosing the best cellular trail camera for Texas so you can watch your feeder without driving out to check it.