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Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? #5970744 10/10/15 07:16 PM
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A friend has planted a food plot inside a one acre, high-fenced area that has been used in the past for peas. The area has a low gate that's about 10 feet across.

If left open, will wild deer enter through the gate to feed in the plot? He intentions are to also allow his cows to feed in the enclosure at times.

Thanks.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5970767 10/10/15 07:42 PM
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Deer should go through the gate to eat.

Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5970787 10/10/15 07:57 PM
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Don't do it. We all know that once those deer enter a high fence they become gentle and dumb making them much easier to kill.


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: stxranchman] #5970834 10/10/15 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Don't do it. We all know that once those deer enter a high fence they become gentle and dumb making them much easier to kill.


I'm wondering if they are smart enough to recognize there is only one way in and out and avoid being trapped?

I'm also wondering that if they do enter the area, will they only do so at night?

Again, the area has always been used in the past to grow a garden, with the high fence being used to keep out both deer and livestock.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5970919 10/10/15 09:34 PM
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Just curious why is he trying to get them in a 1acre high fence?


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: dogdown23] #5970933 10/10/15 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: dogdown23
Just curious why is he trying to get them in a 1acre high fence?


Again, in the past, it was used by another family member (who has since passed) to grow peas, watermelons, etc. The high fence was used to keep out deer and livestock. A nephew is working it now for both hunting, and as a cover crop for his cattle. He's thinking deer will jump the low gate and feed during the season. Once the season closes, he'll open the gate and let his cows graze over it.

If I had to guess, I would say deer might jump the gate and feed at night, but will avoid it during the day.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5970970 10/10/15 10:37 PM
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Some deer will enter. But the older deer will avoid it - stay on outside while younger deer enter. I saw a setup like this once on a friends ranch. A feeder just outside fenced area is where he would always get the biggest buck.

Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971016 10/10/15 11:19 PM
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How tall is the fence?

Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971037 10/10/15 11:39 PM
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Very interesting.


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971052 10/10/15 11:55 PM
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Some will go in to eat while others will not. Just like some will jump a high fence if the groceries are good enough inside while others will not.


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971063 10/11/15 12:09 AM
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In dripping springs around 1983 I was on lease that had same set-up. That Christmas day there was close to 40 deer inside it. The story gets exciting and funny after that.


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971195 10/11/15 01:57 AM
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A lot is going to depend on the range conditions at the time. Deer age is not going to effect what they do as much as the forage available. If he is going to plant it, I would also go to each corner and put a small opening under each "H" brace that can be shut or closed up with a cattle panel to allow deer to escape if they feel trapped. Deer are going to migrate to the corner when danger moves in.


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971221 10/11/15 02:14 AM
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Yes the deer will go in. We have a ten acre plot like you are saying, 8ft fence. It has a tractor gate at each corner which is really nice for the deer to come and go from, and as STX stated they will run a fence to a corner looking for an exit.
We will let a food plot grow a bit before we open it for the deer. And we see all kinds of deer, mature bucks included. It is an awesome place to be in the evenings as deer come to it.


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Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971228 10/11/15 02:17 AM
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The ones that get caught in hog traps will have no issue going in.

Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971245 10/11/15 02:28 AM
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Yes


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it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: Texas Dan] #5971343 10/11/15 04:11 AM
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Thanks again for the feedback and comments.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Will deer enter a high-fenced area through a gate to feed? [Re: stxranchman] #5971441 10/11/15 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
A lot is going to depend on the range conditions at the time. Deer age is not going to effect what they do as much as the forage available. If he is going to plant it, I would also go to each corner and put a small opening under each "H" brace that can be shut or closed up with a cattle panel to allow deer to escape if they feel trapped. Deer are going to migrate to the corner when danger moves in.
Just like Ranchman said. Animals will do just about anything to get to food they like or need. Only bad thing about that is it being a small area and only one way to get out it could cause a bad situation if something scares them and there is only the one exit.

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