We have a hog problem and cattle on this lease. So I decided to get ahead of them and put a pen up around a month old feeder. Deer were coming to this feeder literally 45 min after I set it up last month. The numbers of deer seemed to build and build including a few nice bucks. Since the blind and pen went up I haven't seen a single deer. Went from every single morning and every single evening to nothing. Not even one outside the pen. I set up both on the same day. I've seen scenarios where the deer don't seem to even notice and are there the same night after a pen and blind is put up so I'm making sure I didn't do anything wrong here. I felt I was pretty set for bow season but now I'm not so sure. Thinking I should have just left it alone, but the blind would have gone up regardless and I was worried about the cattle and hogs tearing up the feeder.

Pen is roughly 30' in diameter and 30" tall. Blind is roughly 35 yards from feeder perched on a hill. Poured a 50# bag of corn in the pen after I set it up and the feeder is on 10 sec sprays, one AM and one PM.

Be patient grasshopper, be patient.

Give it some time but IME when there is thick brush right up to the edges of the pen and around the pen it takes deer a bit longer than normal. For some reason like to circle the new pen or walk along the fence before jumping in on newer pens. Takes them a while to find a spot they like and feel safe jumping over the fence. Are there any mesquite beans right now or other mast crops?

it's a nice setup...they will come

I would cut two two lanes coming off your side windows and open up a spot past the feeder on both sides and trim about 6' around pen. Nice set up !

I figured id give it time but it was just strange that the amount of deer I was seeing now is at zero. There are about 7 game trails leading straight to this feeder from all directions, pretty much a major intersection, thats why i chose the spot. No beans, We have wheat fields about 1/4 mile from the lease but I dont think they have been operational this year. I wanted to clear the brush but i had already cleared so much i left it alone.

the right window faces one of our ponds on the lease and has a fair shooting lane but is out of range for bow hunts, about 80-100 yards. The left window faces a few game trails coming from bedding areas that could def use a bit more trimming. Ive got it cleared enough that i can see one coming. Theres only so much you can do in Throckmorton when its 104 outside

I agree with stxranchman, might want to clear some of that mesquite out around it and make it bigger........too small for my liking and mature bucks FME.........at least 10 16 ft. panels.......

Is this a bow stand? The reason I ask is it seems very close distance wise to the feeder.........if so IMO you are very limited for you shot opportunities for a bow......

How tall are the panels? I have lazy deer around our place we had to cut a few short spots into the pen.

Yes sir I hear you good looking area you got there.

They'll be back. Give em a little time to get used to it.


Very nice set up and pretty spot.

I'm guessing this a bow hunting set up being the stand is this close to the feeder?

You cant tell from the pic but you can basically walk all the way around the pen with no obstruction until you get to the brush on the right where the camera is, its not a 6 foot clearing though. Also there are trail openings in between each bush. Thats the only reason i didnt clear them, plus its was hot as balls out there and i was tired. Yes its a bow stand, roughly 35 yards from the feeder. How am i limited on shot opportunity?

Thanks, yes bow hunts from this blind. Plus a chance for the kids to hit something.

Thank you sir.

I know pic angles are deceiving, but looking at the set I would expect the deer to jump in on the furthest side away from the blind, and walk back and forth on that side before the jump in.......looks like your pen will be blocking the kill zone......I understand it could be just the angle I'm seeing from the pic.....

Deer have poor depth perception.

Oh for sure. The pen does block a little bit of it close to the blind but not a whole lot and I have plans to cut the top 2 sections off to open that up a bit. I had originally wanted a 10 foot platform for this blind but decided I would run this first year on this lease with a ground set up. The 10 foot platform would make it perfect.

I'd cut down a couple spots to more like 24 to 28 inches high. Deer are coming to the feeder because they're hungry not to exercise. I've seen deer walk all the past a feeder pen because they just didn't feel comfortable jumping in the cattle panels, also deer looking for easy means of escape from trouble. In my opinion.

But they will come back.

Belief mine, do not, I repeat do not, go lower than the 30 inches you have in place.

Thanks, yea thats on the list.

I would have made a rectangular pen with it extending up to the base of the little rise the blind is setting on. That way no cattle could get between the blind and the feeder pen. It would have allowed you to feed the deer even closer in for shots also. Give the deer more room to jump into the pen and then move around. Dominant does or bucks with keep most the other deer out of the pen during the rut or feeding times.

Awe man, now you got me second guessing things lol

Looks good but a lot of brush and cactus around that pen, see a few clearer spots. The feeder looks like it could be moved over a few feet to more center it in the pen. Besides that, I think it's just more time needed..

The main thing to remember is...do NOT give yourself heat stroke over a frickin' deer! Things can be improved little by little, over time.

Ever read "Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance"? I'm no Buddhist, but that's how I approach feeder/blind set ups.

This is supposed to be fun! Kuddos to you for putting the blind close enough for a kid to shoot something. I try to have one or two places like that.

Use Indian corn.