Your Guide: How Do I Attract Deer To My Yard Best Ways

So, you want to bring deer closer to your home? How do I attract deer to my yard? You can do this by giving them what they need: food, water, and a safe place to hide. Providing these basics makes your yard a nice place for deer to visit. You can use special deer attractants, plant the plants deer eat, put out deer feeders, or add a water source for deer. Making your yard inviting is key.

Deer are beautiful animals. Seeing them up close is special. Many people enjoy having them around. Your yard can be a stop for them. By giving them food, water, and shelter, you make your place appealing. This guide tells you the best ways to do this.

Image Source: blog.redmondhunt.com

Bringing in Deer with Food

Food is a big reason deer come to a yard. They are always looking for something to eat. Giving them good food sources is a top way to attract them. You can offer many kinds of food.

Finding the Best Deer Food

Deer eat many things. They like plants, nuts, and fruits best. What they eat changes with the season.

• Spring and Summer: They eat fresh green leaves, weeds, and farm crops. Clover, alfalfa, and young shoots are favorites.
• Fall: Acorns, nuts, and fruits become important. They also eat plants that are still green.
• Winter: When other food is hard to find, they eat twigs, buds, and evergreens. Corn and other stored foods become very helpful.

Knowing what deer like helps you pick the best deer food to offer.

Planting What Deer Love

One good way to attract deer is to plant things they enjoy eating. This is a natural way to feed them. It makes your yard part of their feeding path. These are called deer friendly plants.

Here are some plants deer eat:

• Trees and Shrubs:
  • Oak trees (for acorns)
  • Fruit trees (apple, pear, persimmon)
  • Berry bushes (blueberry, blackberry)
  • Arborvitae (though they can eat it down quickly!)
  • Sumac
• Forage Crops (can be planted in larger areas):
  • Clover (white and red)
  • Alfalfa
  • Winter Wheat
  • Oats
  • Brassicas (turnips, kale)
• Garden Plants (be prepared for them to eat these!):
  • Hostas (very popular with deer)
  • Some flowers (tulips, roses)
  • Vegetables (beans, peas, corn)

Planting a mix gives them food at different times of the year. Landscaping for deer means choosing plants they like. Place these plants where deer feel safe to eat. This might be away from busy parts of your yard.

Using Deer Feeders

Another way is to use deer feeders. These hold food like corn, pellets, or mixes. Feeders give deer a steady food source. There are different kinds of feeders.

• Gravity Feeders: Food falls down as deer eat it. Simple and easy to use.
• Spin Feeders: These throw food out at certain times. You can set a timer. This spreads food over an area.
• Trough Feeders: A simple open box or container. Easy for deer to access food.

When using deer feeders, place them in a quiet spot. Make sure they are allowed where you live. Some places have rules about feeding deer. Using feeders can help bring deer in regularly. But be careful. Too many deer in one spot can spread sickness.

Supplemental Feeding Tips

If you feed deer, do it smartly.

• Start slowly. Don’t put out large amounts of food at first.
• Keep the feeding area clean. Wet or old food can make deer sick.
• Feed regularly once you start. Deer will learn to come back.
• Consider deer food mixes. These are often better than just corn. They have protein and minerals deer need.

Feeding deer can make them less afraid of people. This is not always a good thing. They might get too bold.

Giving Deer Water

Just like all animals, deer need water. A good water source for deer can make your yard more appealing. Especially in dry times, water is a strong attractant.

Types of Water Sources

You don’t need a big lake. Even small water spots help.

• Small Pond or Water Garden: A natural-looking pond is perfect. Deer can drink from the edges.
• Bird Baths (Large): Some larger bird baths on the ground can be used by deer.
• Water Troughs or Containers: A simple bucket or trough kept full of clean water works.
• Natural Streams or Springs: If you have one nearby, protect its access points.

Make sure the water source is easy for deer to reach. The edges should not be too steep. Keep the water clean. Stale or dirty water is not healthy. Having water near food or cover is even better.

Making a Safe Spot: Creating Deer Habitat

Deer need places to rest and hide. Creating deer habitat means making your yard a safe space for them. They look for cover to feel secure.

What Makes Good Deer Cover?

Deer use different types of cover.

• Thick Bushes and Shrubs: Groups of dense plants offer good hiding spots.
• Tall Grasses and Weeds: In less formal areas, tall growth provides cover.
• Groups of Trees: Woods or thickets offer safety from weather and danger.
• Edges: The line where two different areas meet (like woods and a field) is often used by deer.

If you have space, let some areas of your yard grow a bit wild. A corner with thick shrubs or a patch of high grass gives deer a place to hide or bed down during the day. Landscaping for deer includes thinking about these safe zones. Avoid clearing too much brush or cutting back all tall plants. A mix of open areas for feeding and thick areas for cover is ideal.

Thinking About Deer Paths

Deer follow paths. They use routes between feeding areas, water, and cover. Try to figure out where deer might travel through your yard. Place food, water, or cover near these paths. This makes it easy for them to find what you offer.

Using Special Deer Attractants

Beyond food and water, you can use specific deer attractants. These are designed to get a deer’s attention. They often use smell. Natural deer attractants and man-made ones exist.

Scents and Lures

Deer have a great sense of smell. Scents can draw them in.

• Doe Urine: Especially during the mating season (rut), the smell of a female deer can attract males.
• Buck Urine: Can attract other bucks looking for rivals.
• Food Scents: Smells like apple, acorn, or corn. These can make deer curious.
• Mock Scrapes: Hunters use these, but they can attract deer to an area. You scrape the ground and add scents.

Place scents in areas where you want deer to come. Hang scent wicks from branches. Put them near feeders or trails. Be aware that using deer urine scents can sometimes spread disease (like CWD). Check local rules.

Salt Licks for Deer

Salt licks for deer are blocks or granular mixes of salt and minerals. Deer need minerals for their health. They are drawn to the salt.

• Mineral Blocks: Hard blocks placed on the ground or on a stump. They last a while.
• Granular Mixes: Poured on the ground. Can be mixed with soil.

Place salt licks for deer in areas away from your main house. Deer will visit them regularly. Make sure they are legal in your area. Mineral licks can be very effective deer attractants. They provide something important for deer health.

Natural Attractants

Some natural deer attractants are simply parts of plants deer like.

• Acorns: Placing piles of acorns can bring deer in, especially in the fall.
• Apples or Pears: A few pieces of fruit can draw them. Don’t use too much, it can cause stomach problems.
• Pumpkins: In the fall, leftover pumpkins are a favorite treat.

These natural items work because deer know them as food. They are often safer than processed foods or strong scents.

Designing Your Yard: Landscaping for Deer

Landscaping for deer means planning your yard layout with deer in mind. It’s not just about planting food. It’s about creating a space they feel comfortable in.

Key Landscaping Ideas

• Create Edges: Deer love the edge where woods meet fields. If you have space, create areas with different types of plants next to each other.
• Plant in Clusters: Groups of bushes or trees offer better cover than single plants spread out.
• Think About Paths: Design paths that allow you to view deer without scaring them away from their feeding or resting spots. Keep viewing areas downwind if possible (so deer don’t smell you).
• Buffer Zones: Plant thick shrubs or trees between areas you use a lot and areas you want deer to use. This gives them space.
• Connect to Nearby Areas: If your yard is next to woods or a field, extend the habitat into your yard. Don’t create a sharp line.

Making your yard a mix of open areas (like a lawn) and dense cover makes it more useful for deer. They can graze in the open and quickly duck into cover if needed.

Thinking About the Downsides

Attracting deer sounds great, but there can be problems.

• Plant Damage: Deer eat plants. If you don’t protect your garden or prized flowers, they will be eaten. This is a major issue with deer friendly plants – they are friendly because deer eat them! You might need fences or repellents for areas you want to protect.
• Ticks and Disease: Deer can carry ticks. These ticks can spread Lyme disease and other sicknesses to people and pets. More deer can mean more ticks in your yard. They can also spread diseases among themselves (like CWD).
• Vehicle Accidents: More deer near homes means more risk of hitting a deer with your car.
• Habituation: Deer can become too used to people. This can make them bold or even aggressive if they feel threatened.
• Legality: Check local rules. Feeding deer is not allowed in some places.

Weigh the good parts of seeing deer against these possible problems. If you decide to attract them, be ready to manage the downsides.

Putting It All Together: Best Ways to Attract Deer

To get the best results, combine different methods.

• Step 1: Provide Water: Make sure there is a reliable water source for deer, especially when it’s dry.
• Step 2: Offer Food: Plant plants deer eat or use deer feeders with best deer food. A mix of natural food sources and supplemental feeding works well.
• Step 3: Create Shelter: Design your landscaping for deer to include safe spots and cover (creating deer habitat).
• Step 4: Use Attractants Smartly: Use deer attractants like salt licks for deer or scents to draw them in initially or to a specific spot. Use natural deer attractants when possible.

Think about the time of year. What deer need changes. Offer food that is important during tough times like winter. Offer water during hot or dry spells.

Make sure the area feels safe. Avoid letting pets chase deer away. Keep noise down in the areas where you want deer to visit. Patience is key. It might take time for deer to find your yard and feel safe visiting regularly.

Remember to check local laws about feeding wildlife. This is very important.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

h4: Is feeding deer safe?
Feeding deer can be safe if done carefully. Use clean feeders and food. Don’t feed too much processed food. Be aware it can increase disease risk among deer and draw predators. Check your local laws, as feeding deer is illegal in some areas.

h4: What are the best plants to attract deer?
Some top plants deer eat include clover, alfalfa, acorns (from oak trees), fruit trees (apple, pear), and brassicas (turnips, kale). Hostas are also very popular if you don’t mind them being eaten.

h4: Do salt licks really work?
Yes, salt licks for deer are effective deer attractants. Deer need minerals for their health and are drawn to the salt. They can help bring deer to a specific spot in your yard.

h4: How far will deer travel for food or water?
Deer travel miles for food or water if needed. But they prefer to stay closer to safe areas. If your yard offers food, water, and cover nearby, they are more likely to visit often if they are already in the general area.

h4: Will attracting deer cause damage to my yard?
Yes, attracting deer almost guarantees they will eat your plants. If you have a prized garden or certain shrubs, you may need to protect them with fences or repellents if you also want to attract deer elsewhere in the yard. Landscaping for deer often involves choosing what you are willing to sacrifice to their appetites.

h4: What are natural deer attractants?
Natural deer attractants are things deer would naturally seek out, like acorns, fallen fruits, certain types of leaves and stems, and even just water sources. Planting native deer friendly plants is a way to use natural attraction.

h4: Are deer feeders better than planting food?
Both deer feeders and planting food work. Planting provides a more natural food source over time and helps with creating deer habitat. Feeders provide a concentrated, easy source but require buying food and can lead to deer grouping closely. Doing both can be very effective.

Attracting deer can be a rewarding experience. By providing the basics – food, water, and shelter – and perhaps using a few deer attractants, you can make your yard a favorite stop for local deer. Just be sure to think about the potential problems and follow any local rules. Good luck making your yard deer-friendly!