Big Bucks Outdoors

Building your own deer and turkey feeder can be a rewarding project that enhances your wildlife management efforts. Start by selecting a suitable location, ideally in an area frequented by deer and turkeys, ensuring it’s easily accessible for maintenance. Gather materials such as wood, PVC pipe, or metal, depending on your design preferences. A simple and effective feeder can be made using a wooden box with slats for drainage and ventilation, which helps keep the feed dry.

Start With A Sturdy Base

Construct the feeder by creating a sturdy base and sides, then attach a sloped roof to prevent rain from entering. For added functionality, you can create a funnel system using PVC pipe, allowing for easy dispensing of feed while minimizing waste. You can also use different types of jic fittings. don’t worry if you are wondering what does jic mean, so were we. Long story short, they are a special type  of fitting.  Be sure to raise the feeder off the ground to deter pests and prevent spoilage; using legs or a platform works well for this.

Once assembled, fill the feeder with high-quality grains or seeds that attract both deer and turkeys, such as corn, wheat, or special blends designed for wildlife. Regularly check the feeder to replenish the feed and monitor for any damage, ensuring it remains a reliable food source. With your DIY feeder in place, you’ll not only support local wildlife but also enjoy the rewarding experience of observing these animals up close.

Homemade Vs Store-Bought

When deciding between a DIY and a store-bought deer feeder, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option. DIY feeders offer a unique opportunity for customization, allowing you to tailor the design and functionality to meet your specific needs and the local wildlife patterns. By selecting materials and sizes that suit your environment, you can create a feeder that not only fits your budget but also integrates seamlessly into your landscape. Furthermore, building your own feeder can be a fulfilling project, offering a sense of accomplishment and the chance to engage with nature in a hands-on way.

On the other hand, store-bought feeders provide convenience and often come with features designed for durability and efficiency. Many commercial options are engineered to withstand various weather conditions and are built with advanced dispensing mechanisms that minimize waste and keep feed dry. Purchasing a feeder can save time and effort, making it an attractive choice for those who may not have the tools or skills to construct their own.

Ultimately, the decision between DIY and store-bought depends on your personal preferences, budget, and commitment to wildlife management. Whether you choose to build your own feeder or invest in a pre-made option, both approaches can effectively attract deer and enhance your outdoor experience.

Hunting is something that many people enjoy when they are in the great outdoors. It is a way to provide for family and it is a fantastic sport. To make it easier on the hunter to capture their intended target, they use plenty of tricks. The tricks up their sleeves range from long range sights, high-quality rifles, scent, and even decoys. There are some people who even spend their time creating custom casted decoys to up their game.

Why Use Custom Decoys?

Whether you are hunting bucks or trying to attract ducks in the pond, a decoy can help you. In the event you are hunting a deer, there are several things you need to keep in mind. For instance, deer can smell even the faintest scent of humans. This scent encourages them to go in the other direction. To ensure your decoy works as effectively as possible, you want to get a standing buck decoy, rubber gloves, scent-eliminating spray, and plenty of patience.

You need a buck because a doe standing still for long periods of time will cause others to fuss at them. You must also not touch your buck with bare hands ever. Doing so will contaminate the decoy and prevent it from being an effective one. You don’t even want to lay it in the grass with your backpack or gear.

Can You Create Your Own Decoy?

With the economy being as rotten as it is in today’s world, a lot of people may be trying to make their own decoys rather than spending the money to replace their old one. If you want to create a duck decoy, you need only a few things. The easiest way to do this to use foam board. You can do it by laminating the foam boards so that they become a duck-sized block. You should carve it into the rough shape of a duck. Use a furring strip and epoxy, which you then wrap with burlap. Mastic will finish it off. All you have to do beyond that is let it sit for about 24 hours. Attach a head if its not already there and then paint it to match. Again, you may want to let it sit for a while before you attempt to use it. It will also help to use scent remover on it often.

Foam works best if you want the duck to sit on water. It will float with ease and be relatively light weight. If you want it to rest on the ground, as in nesting, you may want to consider casting epoxy resin. Within a day you can have a solid decoy that appears to be nesting. You can also create other animals using molds and resin. By doing it, you will be able to create custom decoys with unique poses or even other animals. You may even be able to create items for your lawn or garden to show your respect for all animals.

Making the Decoy Work for You

Some people find it is easiest to create a mold using an old decoy that they have lying around. They then fill it with spray in foam or plaster so that it can take the right shape. Then, you can use the epoxy to ensure it is waterproof and ready for use. Once it is done, you may question why you didn’t do it before. Creating custom casted decoys is easier than most people think it will be.

There are tons of wildlife in our forests. We all know that we can attract certain types of animals based on what we plant near our home. For instance, if you plant specific flowers you can attract birds and planting citronella can repel mosquitos. If you want to create your yard to attract specific animals you have to consider what you are planting. This has never been truer than when choosing the most optimal wooded environment for big bucks.

The Things Deer Love

To provide deer with a reason to come to your lawn, you need to consider their needs. What will they want to find while there? The answer is simple. Most want food, cover, water, and to feel safe.

They will enjoy having a small clearing, but not one that is truly wide open. From there, you will need to have things for them to eat. This may include plant life such as clovers, turnips, kale, corn, soybeans, and others. If you plant mixed seeds, you can attract deer and other animals throughout the year. Chicory and orchard vegetation can also encourage deer to come and visit your property.

Beyond that, you may also plant trees that provide cover and food sources.

Trees For Big Bucks

In general, you will do well to plant trees that can also provide food if you want deer to come near. Nuts are always a favorite treat for these animals. Chestnuts, acorns, pecans, and more. Sweet-smelling apple or crab apple trees work as well. The more different types of foods you have available, the more they will come. You may also consider planting quickly growing trees like Acacia koa. This tree is best suited for more tropical areas, like Hawaii. These exotic trees are loved for their beautiful wood by humans because they do have a curly koa burl. For deer, their reason for loving it stems more from its scent and the fact it is part of the pea family.

How to Attract the Big Bucks

Another thing you will need to do in your yard is to prepare the area. They like areas that have tall grass. Keeping the grass near your property a little higher than that closest to your home will provide food and cover, which will give them a sense of safety. If you want, you can add mineral blocks or salt blocks to that area to increase their reason to come to visit you.

You should also make the area easily accessible. Remove fences or take out at least a few sections of your fence so that it is more inviting and easy for them to walk into, and escape from if they get spooked.

As a final thought, the deer space should be away from your home. Lights and sounds will keep them away from your yard, even if you have the perfect feasting place set up for them. You should keep a safe distance away from them at all times, and this does mean allowing them to roam in an area that you will not be in.