Attracting wild game to your property during the spring and summer can set you up for a successful hunting season. Set up your feeders, water sources and blinds now so that the wildlife can start getting accustomed to your property as a consistent food and water source. By the time fall comes around, the deer herd will be visiting your property as part of their daily routine. You can also capitalize on bringing turkeys to your property and fill some tags this spring turkey season. Check out our tips below for how you can start attracting wildlife to your property this spring.
Deer Feeders
Deer feeders are a great way to bring wildlife to your property. You can fill our Feedbank Gravity Deer Feeders with corn kernels, clover, hay, and other grains and seeds that deer like to eat throughout the spring and summer. Our feeders can hold anywhere from 40 to 600 pounds of feed depending on the model. You can choose from our Gravity Feeders that have elevated ports and mount to a single stake or our Timber ground feeders that have ports flush with the ground. The Gravity feeders are perfect for a deer herd because the ports are at the same height as a deer’s face. Timber feeders are great for turkeys because the ports are close to the ground and easy for them to get to.
Water Sources
Deer and turkeys each seek out water sources in tandem with their food sources. If you have both, you increase the odds that wildlife will visit your property. Check out our Wild Water Systems to add a water source. The systems hold 50, 100 or 300 gallons of water distributed via a trough. When the tank is filled with water, the float valve system will open to fill the trough with water. Once it senses the trough is full, the valve will seal, ensuring water isn’t wasted by overflowing the trough. When it’s empty, the valve will open and fill it again. The 50- and 100- gallon options have a single 3-foot trough. The 500-gallon option comes with two 3-foot troughs.
If you want to add an addictive element to your water, add our Wild Water Mineral Supplements to the water tank. The supplements contain vitamins and nutrients the deer herd needs to remain healthy and grow strong antlers. They will also become addictive and keep wildlife coming back.
Make sure supplemental feeding is legal in your area. Some counties don’t allow the use of feeders or supplements, so check your local regulations. If you can’t use a feeder, a natural food plot should be acceptable, meaning you’ll physically plant the seed and grow the crop for farming purposes instead of putting the grains in your feeder. Keep in mind that if you plant your own crops, it is still illegal to hunt deer at that food plot. You’ll need to hunt the deer on a different area of your property. Refer to page 64 of the Minnesota Hunting Regulations for clarification.
Whether you’re using our deer feeders and water systems, or you have natural food plots and ponds on your property, food and water sources are key to creating a dependency on your property. Take these tips for attracting and keeping wildlife on your property and implement them this spring for a successful spring turkey season and get a head start on fall deer season.
How do you use our Banks Outdoors products to attract wildlife to your property? Let us know in the comments below!
Spring Food Plots: What to Plant Now for a Better Hunting Season Later
How to Set Up a Permanent Hunting Blind for Year-Round Success