Will this be a disadvantage

A few weeks I posted about putting up new feeders (corn and protein) with a feed pen since our new Val Verde County place has goats. Well I've recently learned that 80% of our group has elected to only pen around their free choice protein feeders as opposed to both feeders as I've done. Do you guys think these feeders without pens will get more activity or will feeder locations be a bigger influence on deer presence?

They'll definitely get more visits, by GOATS. You did the right thing. That's a long way to go to find out that you've been feeding more goats than deer.

Deer eventually will get use to your fenced in area...took a few months at my place and hit it regularly - some more than the open field ones. I cut a lot of the sections low enough for the younger deer to get in. Where the feeders are is also a determining factor. Hope yours will get more (deer) action!

Yes sir feeding goats is def something I didn't want to do. I've been on exotic ranches where the darn goats would just vacuum the corned roads before any Axis had their shot. Aggravating to say the least.

Hey George I used 34" high hog panel with the advice from the land owner. Think this height will allow all age deer to access or should I still trim a few sections down?

I would say nothing but supportive things about the 80% that are only fencing their protein feeders. The other 20% will have all the deer when it gets dry or after the first freeze. The rest will be covered up in goats, hogs, and javis. Thank them after the season is over.

I would go with taller than 34" panels with goats, more like 48" 4"x4"x20' panels. Then cut down a couple areas to 40" as a trial so adult deer can get in.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but these are actually sheep that's on the property. Some sort of Mutton Sheep from what the LO says.

I'd thank them for sending all the deer your way.

Your friends have done you a favor.

^^^
Make sure they know there is a $1000 per day sub-lease to hunt your stand!

I would rather have short as possible 4g hog panel, topped wit a few strands of barbed wire, wire will give better if a deer gets it's legs through while jumping. In the past 4 years, we have taken two (1 buck, 1 doe) deer out of our neighbors hog panels, very much alive with 2 very much broken legs. (BTW, his "pen" is to contain his goats in a 1.5 acre parcel)

Titan - honestly, I'm not sure what the proper height would be, since you have the sheep/goats there...haven't dealt with that issue before. I took 34" panels and cut a few around down to 28-30" or so, And we have never had a hog get into the panels. Seen smaller deer on camera, and never had one hang up. Have found some deer (remains) where they were tied up in our boundary's barbed wire fences. Haven't tried barbed wire around the feeder pens...been a little weary of finding them wrapped up. Seems like they can do that in hog panels too, by the post above. We've had hog panels for over 12 years around our feeders at one ranch without incident. Either way you go, good luck!

George, I think it has to do with the height of the fence as to the percentage of deer getting hung up. I see deer in standard BW fence too and most are a normal height of 46-48" total.

Sounds like a trial and error is underway. I'll stick with the 34" panels for now and check the game cameras in a few months. I didn't have the time to line the panels with mesh so hopefully there's no dead pasture maggots hung up.

Gotcha - that makes sense.

If it is sheep only then 34" hog panel will work fine.