Tired of guessing and stressing about when to fill your feeders or change batteries? Enter the Moultrie Mobile Feed Hub.
Baiting and feeding deer is permitted in at least half of all whitetail states in America. Because of this, deer feeders are taking the hunting world by storm. The right deer feeder can play an integral role in deer management and deer hunting.
The Moultrie Mobile Feed Hub offers the latest in deer feeder technology. Here are the techs, specs, and in-the-field application for this brand-new deer feeder technology. Furthermore, check out these tips and tactics for utmost performance, plus integration of basic and advanced deer feeder techniques.
The Best Way to Feed Deer
Whitetails can eat up to 5 or more pounds of food per day, and up to 2,000 pounds per year. Areas with great habitat can support that, but feeding deer can supplement their diet.
There are numerous best practices when feeding deer. A feeder is usually the better option, as it keeps feed dry and fresh until dispensed onto the ground. Oftentimes, dumping large volumes of grain onto the ground leads to rotten and lower-quality corn, yet deer still consume it. A feeder that dispenses corn at regular intervals is a healthier option.
There are many different types of deer bait. Apples, beets, carrots, corn, pears, manufactured feeds, and more, are all great selections. However, corn, protein, and feed mixes are the superior options, and work best in available spin-cast deer feeders.
Then, choose the right deer feeder. It’s good to choose a feeder (or feeders) with capacities that match the local deer herd. Depending on habitat quality and available food sources, it’s good to have one feeder for every 20–30 deer. Gravity feeders are popular, but spin-cast feeders tend to be more effective, as it distributes feed out around it, rather than forcing deer to nose up to the feeder. (Those who deal with a lot of hogs might fence around spin-cast feeders or select free-choice tube-based feeders that keep feed out of reach.)
Next, pick a good spot to deploy the feeder. Food plots, ag field edges, staging areas, trail intersections, and other good treestand or hunting blind locations are great areas to post a deer feeder. (Deer feeders can serve as insurance policies for failed ag crops, food plots, and mast crops, as well as in areas with poor natural food sources.)
Basic Tips for Deer Feeders
Those who use deer feeders should implement good practices when doing so. There are numerous ways to do this, including...
Advanced Tactics for Hunting with Deer Feeders
Incorporating deer feeders into hunt plans is a good choice. It can attract and hold deer. It might even help create shot opportunities. But those who implement deer feeders intelligently are more likely to find the success they hope for.
For example, depositing a lot of human scent around feeders is ill-advised. This can minimize deer usage, and even discourage whitetails from using the area over time. A quality feeder ensures feed lasts longer. It requires fewer trips to monitor, maintain, and refill. Therefore, less human intrusion equals better deer activity, consumption, and hunting opportunities.
A lot of hunters hunt right over bait stations. This can work quite well. That said, rather than hunting directly over baited areas, consider backing off. Instead, hunt travel routes that lead from bedding areas to bait stations.
Hunting travel routes that lead to and from bait stations is better for several reasons. First, mature bucks are more likely to hold up in cover away from baited areas, and then move in after dark. Hunting these travel routes can still produce an encounter even if they don’t make it to the feed before legal shooting light ends.
Next, during the rut, consider hunting in cover along the downwind sides of feeders. It’s common for bucks to travel along these routes to scent-check for receptive estrus does around feeders, or that recently visited one.
Deer feeders are effective year-round but are especially impactful when other food sources are more limited. Think Texas in times of drought (when things aren’t green), or fall and winter throughout the whitetail’s range. These are when deer feeders shine.
Feed Deer the Right Way
When feeding deer, it should be based on a long-term program, and not just a short-term fix for drawing deer in for a shot opportunity. This is especially true in winter, when deer are susceptible to feed-based blunders. The reason? Deer need to consume a new food for approximately one week (sometimes longer) before it can begin digesting and pulling nutrients from that food.
Deer are ruminants, and their gut microbiome can be delicate. Therefore, suddenly introducing corn mid-winter can be disastrous to the local deer herd. Corn is full of carbs and little fiber. In winter, deer primarily eat woody browse, which contains high-fiber content. Whitetails’ gut microbiome and microbial makeup slowly shifts based on diet, and a sudden, significant change can result in serious illness, or even death. A deer that wasn’t already consuming corn, and quickly fills up on it, can experience sudden buildup of lactic acid and subsequent dehydration, followed by mortality. A deer can die with a full belly of corn.
Of course, it’s OK to feed deer (even corn) in winter, but it must be done the right way. For example, if you plan to feed deer in winter, start feeding them months prior. Legalities permitting, rather than introducing corn during a mid-winter snowstorm, start feeding it in late summer or early fall, and gradually introduce it into the deer’s diet over time.
Fortunately, this concern is largely limited to the Northeast, and other areas, where corn isn’t a common ag crop. Throughout the Midwest, much of the Southeast, and elsewhere, deer already have access to cornfields, and their digestive system is already attuned to consuming corn. Therefore, feeding is not a risk factor.
The Best Deer Feeder Management System
A deer feeder controlled by your phone? The Moultrie Feed Hub does that. It’s the first deer feeder system that allows hunters and land managers to monitor and control their feeders from afar. Visiting feeders in person and manually lifting feeder lids to check feed levels is an unnecessary thing of the past.
Incredibly, Feed Hub allows hunters to conduct several tasks remotely, including:
Changing feeding times (up to 10 feed times per day)
Feeding deer on-demand
Checking feed levels
Checking battery status
Receiving clogged feeder updates
Receiving other feeder status changes
It even offers universal integration with Feed Hub, and it doesn’t need a Moultrie feeder to integrate. With most other brand feeders, the Feed Hub unit mounts directly into the feeder motor. With others, it requires a few more minutes to pair the cellular timer with the motor. Those interested in the Feed Hub system can purchase it in one of several package offerings, with the best fit depending on the current feeder status. Choose from the Feed Hub or Feed Hub Kit.
Feed Hub
Includes Feed Level Detector and Feed Hub Cellular Timer
Replaces existing manual feed timer
Allows for remote monitoring, status updates, settings changes, and more
MSRP: $99.99
Includes Feed Level Detector and Pro Hunter II Feeder Kit with Integrated Feed Hub Cellular Timer
Offers an all-in-one package for feeder management
MSRP: $149.99
Feed Hub Kit
The Feed Hub system has an integrated SIM card and connects to the strongest cellular signal in the area no matter the provider. Just turn it on and it automatically finds the strongest signal.
Connecting More Hunting Devices
With Moultrie Mobile, it’s all about being a “connected hunter.” This platform offers a suite of products that are all managed with one app. It’s a one-stop shop for all hunting needs. In essence, the Moultrie Mobile app is the hub for all activity. Control cellular-based trail cameras and deer feeders from this central, cloud-based location. Deploy the best deer feeder system for whitetail management and see better results this season.
...consider hunting in cover along the downwind sides of feeders”
“
...it’s OK to feed deer (even corn) in winter, but it must be done the right way."
“
Locating feeders near centralized areas of a property.
Deploying feeders in areas where these can be reached to re-fill without spooking deer.
Placing feeders in areas deer feel safest (outside of bedding areas).
Understanding feeders increase the longevity and quality of feed.
Offering feed closer to food and water sources.
Positioning feeders so they are reachable via ATV, UTV, or truck.
In fall and winter, offering deer high-carbohydrate and high-fiber feeds.
In spring and summer, offering deer high-protein feeds.
Whitetails can eat up to 5 or more pounds of food per day, and up to 2,000 pounds per year. Areas with great habitat can support that, but feeding deer can supplement their diet.
There are numerous best practices when feeding deer. A feeder is usually the better option, as it keeps feed dry and fresh until dispensed onto the ground. Oftentimes, dumping large volumes of grain onto the ground leads to rotten and lower-quality corn, yet deer still consume it. A feeder that dispenses corn at regular intervals is a healthier option.
There are many different types of deer bait. Apples, beets, carrots, corn, pears, manufactured feeds, and more, are all great selections. However, corn, protein, and feed mixes are the superior options, and work best in available spin-cast deer feeders.
Then, choose the right deer feeder. It’s good to choose a feeder (or feeders) with capacities that match the local deer herd. Depending on habitat quality and available food sources, it’s good to have one feeder for every 20–30 deer. Gravity feeders are popular, but spin-cast feeders tend to be more effective, as it distributes feed out around it, rather than forcing deer to nose up to the feeder. (Those who deal with a lot of hogs might fence around spin-cast feeders or select free-choice tube-based feeders that keep feed out of reach.)
Next, pick a good spot to deploy the feeder. Food plots, ag field edges, staging areas, trail intersections, and other good treestand or hunting blind locations are great areas to post a deer feeder. (Deer feeders can serve as insurance policies for failed ag crops, food plots, and mast crops, as well as in areas with poor natural food sources.)
Incorporating deer feeders into hunt plans is a good choice. It can attract and hold deer. It might even help create shot opportunities. But those who implement deer feeders intelligently are more likely to find the success they hope for.
For example, depositing a lot of human scent around feeders is ill-advised. This can minimize deer usage, and even discourage whitetails from using the area over time. A quality feeder ensures feed lasts longer. It requires fewer trips to monitor, maintain, and refill. Therefore, less human intrusion equals better deer activity, consumption, and hunting opportunities.
A lot of hunters hunt right over bait stations. This can work quite well. That said, rather than hunting directly over baited areas, consider backing off. Instead, hunt travel routes that lead from bedding areas to bait stations.
Hunting travel routes that lead to and from bait stations is better for several reasons. First, mature bucks are more likely to hold up in cover away from baited areas, and then move in after dark. Hunting these travel routes can still produce an encounter even if they don’t make it to the feed before legal shooting light ends.
Next, during the rut, consider hunting in cover along the downwind sides of feeders. It’s common for bucks to travel along these routes to scent-check for receptive estrus does around feeders, or that recently visited one.
Deer feeders are effective year-round but are especially impactful when other food sources are more limited. Think Texas in times of drought (when things aren’t green), or fall and winter throughout the whitetail’s range. These are when deer feeders shine.
When feeding deer, it should be based on a long-term program, and not just a short-term fix for drawing deer in for a shot opportunity. This is especially true in winter, when deer are susceptible to feed-based blunders. The reason? Deer need to consume a new food for approximately one week (sometimes longer) before it can begin digesting and pulling nutrients from that food.
Deer are ruminants, and their gut microbiome can be delicate. Therefore, suddenly introducing corn mid-winter can be disastrous to the local deer herd. Corn is full of carbs and little fiber. In winter, deer primarily eat woody browse, which contains high-fiber content. Whitetails’ gut microbiome and microbial makeup slowly shifts based on diet, and a sudden, significant change can result in serious illness, or even death. A deer that wasn’t already consuming corn, and quickly fills up on it, can experience sudden buildup of lactic acid and subsequent dehydration, followed by mortality. A deer can die with a full belly of corn.
Of course, it’s OK to feed deer (even corn) in winter, but it must be done the right way. For example, if you plan to feed deer in winter, start feeding them months prior. Legalities permitting, rather than introducing corn during a mid-winter snowstorm, start feeding it in late summer or early fall, and gradually introduce it into the deer’s diet over time.
Fortunately, this concern is largely limited to the Northeast, and other areas, where corn isn’t a common ag crop. Throughout the Midwest, much of the Southeast, and elsewhere, deer already have access to cornfields, and their digestive system is already attuned to consuming corn. Therefore, feeding is not a risk factor.
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