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Feeder pens and mature bucks?
#4087664
02/27/13 10:10 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
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I've heard before that mature bucks are less inclined to jump into a feeder pen than younger age class bucks -- any truth to this?
I have several mature bucks that had been hitting my feeder until I put hog panels around it.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: RedSnake]
#4087680
02/27/13 10:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,694
mbavo
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Ours jump in all the time
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: mbavo]
#4087710
02/27/13 10:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,535
redchevy
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I say it varries from deer to deer. We have had some 4-5 year olds that live under the feeder and some that wont come to a corn feeder period.
I think hunting pressure can magnify it.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: RedSnake]
#4087731
02/27/13 10:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,650
Pitchfork Predator
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I believe from my experience that most of them are not comfortable jumping in a pen. If they grow up with it, they will because they have been jumping in as a younger buck.
I also believe it makes a difference what type of feeder you have in the pen. From my experience they don't like tall large feeders that are above their head and antlers.
This really came to light for me when I started using a Capsule Wildlife Feeder 5 years ago. Because it sits on the ground and requires no pen around it, I found that mature bucks were comfortable feeding their not long after setting up a new location whereas this would always take much longer for them to be comfortable with the traditional elevated barrel type feeder with the pen around it.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#4087766
02/27/13 10:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358
jshouse
THF Trophy Hunter
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I think what pitchfork said above is true in a lot of cases, if the bucks grow uo with pens they are more comfortable with them.
We have several mature bucks on the lease (the place has never had a feeder on it till last season) hat never eat from a penned feeder, only pics we get of them are on hand corn or coming and going on trails. We have a big nontypical that will eat from a cheap pipe feeder but thats it, and it doesnt have a pen around it. On my family land i dont have to pen my feeders and dont have problems with the big bucks eating out of a gravity feeder but they havent been seen at a spin feeder thats 50 yards away.
Last edited by jshouse; 02/27/13 10:54 PM.
If I send my neighbors a text and ask them to give me feedback on my lawn and plant rye into a giant dong pattern, I'm probably going to get some less than positive feedback. Same goes here.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#4087783
02/27/13 10:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 350
Texmel
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2011
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Have in river bottom and had to put up fence to keep the hogs out, Bucks don't seem to mind it.
Last edited by Texmel; 02/27/13 11:07 PM. Reason: change it
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Texmel]
#4087791
02/27/13 11:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Navasot]
#4087795
02/27/13 11:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
the pen in the tasco pic was the first year the place had ever had a feeder pen on it. these pics are from two different countys also
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Navasot]
#4087927
02/28/13 12:13 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
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Ok. Thanks fellas. Hoping this one will at least continue to cruise by the pen!
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Navasot]
#4087937
02/28/13 12:20 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
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Feeder pens size is critical with mature bucks they need a lot more space than younger bucks or doe. Give them and the other deer lots of space. Feeder height has never been an issue for but more the feeder style. I like feeders with a flat plate that deer can eat out of then stand and see what is on the other side of the feeder. They need to be able to see danger approaching. Taller the better IME. PITA to fill also being taller. Also if you have to many deer at one location I will add another feeder with some distance in the pen between them. Dominant doe or bucks will homestead a feeder keeping other deer off. It never fails that all deer show up at feed the same time and jockey for a place to eat. Raising deer eating out of a pen and a style of feeder will make them feel more comfortable than starting older deer on feed. Never hunting over a protein feeder will make a huge difference. Stress is a major issue with deer on feed and how well they do.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4087947
02/28/13 12:24 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
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Thx ranchman. I've got 8 16' hog panels in a circle. Is that big enough?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: RedSnake]
#4087957
02/28/13 12:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
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Depends on cover inside the pen and what you have for feeder inside there. I like 10 panels at a minimum. I have had to take a panel down or open it partially like a gate to get deer in a pen. Then close it up after 4-6 weeks.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4088010
02/28/13 12:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
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Where I hunt I never see a buck in the pen and hardly ever near a feeder. They stop hitting them all together in October through January. Most of our does act the same as well. They will just walk right by like they don't exist. Each county seems different.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Txduckman]
#4088053
02/28/13 01:11 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,484
BowSlayer
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Where I hunt I never see a buck in the pen and hardly ever near a feeder. They stop hitting them all together in October through January. Most of our does act the same as well. They will just walk right by like they don't exist. Each county seems different. You most likely hunt where there are acorns.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Txduckman]
#4088145
02/28/13 01:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
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Where I hunt I never see a buck in the pen and hardly ever near a feeder. They stop hitting them all together in October through January. Most of our does act the same as well. They will just walk right by like they don't exist. Each county seems different. Where I have been it seems to be the complete opposite till the rut closes in. Bucks dominate feeders from Sept till early Nov. The doe start to disappear till food plots come on. They just don't like to get chased by every buck at the feeder when they show up. I have seen some ranches in South Texas that have very close buck to doe ratios very rarely get a picture of a doe in a protein feed pen during the antler growing season. Also like posted above mast crops can change deer eating patterns also.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4088164
02/28/13 01:51 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,013
thewrap
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Depends on cover inside the pen and what you have for feeder inside there. I like 10 panels at a minimum. I have had to take a panel down or open it partially like a gate to get deer in a pen. Then close it up after 4-6 weeks. Do you use 36in or 48in tall panels?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4088174
02/28/13 01:54 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,484
BowSlayer
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I missed out on what would have been the biggest deer of my life once over this debate. I got on a new lease and did not really know what to expect as far as deer size. All the current members told me "if a buck walks up and jumps right in your pen that's not the one you're looking for". So, opening morning my first sit at daylight out walks a 11 point that would probably score close to 160. He walked straight to my pen and hopped in. I thought WOW, they must have some great deer here if the big ones don't jump in the pens. So I videoed him for almost an hour and let him walk. When I got back to camp and showed everyone the video they all told me how crazy I was for not shooting him. Never saw him again and ended up shooting a mid 130's deer that year.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: thewrap]
#4088180
02/28/13 01:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
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If cattle are not an issue and only hogs, I use 34" hog panels. If cattle or other livestock then I will use 52" cattle panels and cut down one every so often for easier access. That height will depend on livestock problems in the past. Depends on cover inside the pen and what you have for feeder inside there. I like 10 panels at a minimum. I have had to take a panel down or open it partially like a gate to get deer in a pen. Then close it up after 4-6 weeks. Do you use 36in or 48in tall panels?
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: BowSlayer]
#4088198
02/28/13 02:00 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,484
BowSlayer
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: BowSlayer]
#4088256
02/28/13 02:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,574
Leonardo
THF Trophy Hunter
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I personally think it has a lot to do with the age of the bucks. I have noticed over the years that young deer seem to almost rely on the feeders. To the extent they will feed there almost every day.
However the 3,4, & 5 year olds rarely rely on the feeder. They may cruise by and occasionally hop in, especially during the hot summer months, but during the season they won't be caught inside them. I think this has to do with their role in the breeding process.
Once they get into the upper age range certain deer can once again be patterned at a feeder. They are no longer the primary buck doing the breeding and seem to need the easy meal.
There are obviously exceptions but I have had deer on multiple places that seem to have followed this cycle. Disapear for the most part except for the occasional picture only to reappear regularly three or four years down the road.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: Leonardo]
#4088447
02/28/13 03:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 430
LakeForkLodge
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2011
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They don't know it's a pen. They easily jump in so they don't THINK about it being enclosed. You are making this too hard.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: LakeForkLodge]
#4088597
02/28/13 04:18 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358
jshouse
THF Trophy Hunter
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They don't know it's a pen. They easily jump in so they don't THINK about it being enclosed. You are making this too hard. They dont know its a pen but they still see the fences around them and i think a pen that is too small is definately a deal breaker for some bucks. The biggest buck on my place is on high alert just eating at the feeder without a pen, u wont convince me that a small pen around it wouldnt make a difference to him. You wont i say!
If I send my neighbors a text and ask them to give me feedback on my lawn and plant rye into a giant dong pattern, I'm probably going to get some less than positive feedback. Same goes here.
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: jshouse]
#4088626
02/28/13 04:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Deer really don't like to jump any fence. They prefer to go under it or thru on opening in it rather than over a fence. The have poor depth perception also. So jumping into a cluttered or tight pen is not the appealing to them I would think. Will they? Yes. If they are raised doing it then they will. Hunger trumps all their fears and hesitations also causing them to things out of the norm.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: jshouse]
#4088629
02/28/13 04:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,650
Pitchfork Predator
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x2 They don't know it's a pen. They easily jump in so they don't THINK about it being enclosed. You are making this too hard. They dont know its a pen but they still see the fences around them and i think a pen that is too small is definately a deal breaker for some bucks. The biggest buck on my place is on high alert just eating at the feeder without a pen, u wont convince me that a small pen around it wouldnt make a difference to him. You wont i say!
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Re: Feeder pens and mature bucks?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4088636
02/28/13 04:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,887
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,887 |
I noticed a big difference in the number of mature deer hitting one of my feeders after I took the pen down. On our ranch and in our area, deer are used to feeders and pens. They were there long before the deer of today were born. I believe that a pen does make a difference, for the most part and agree that the size of the pen is very important. Just my
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