Unlock Secrets: How Do You Attract Deer To Your Yard

Do you want deer to visit your yard? You attract deer by giving them what they need most: food, water, and safe places to hide. Providing these basic things in your yard can make it a welcoming spot for deer. This guide will show you simple ways to do just that.

Image Source: blog.redmondhunt.com

What Draws Deer Near?

Deer look for easy food. They need water. They also need safe spots to rest and hide from danger. If your yard offers these things, deer will find it. You can make your yard a good place for deer. This is about making deer habitat.

Food Sources for Deer

Deer eat many different plants. They look for plants that taste good and give them energy. You can plant things deer like. You can also add extra food sources.

Planting for Deer

Putting certain plants in your yard is a simple way to attract deer. Deer love to eat many kinds of plants.

• Kinds of Plants Deer Like:
  • Clover
  • Alfalfa
  • Certain types of grasses
  • Some bushes like sumac or elderberry
  • Fruit trees (apples, pears)
  • Nut trees (oaks for acorns)
  • Garden plants (if you don’t mind sharing!)

You can plant a mix of these things. This gives deer food through different times of the year. Some plants are good in spring and summer. Others are better in fall and winter.

Creating Deer Food Plots

For a bigger effort, you can make deer food plots. These are areas you set aside just for growing deer food. Making deer food plots needs some work.

• Steps for Food Plots:
  • Pick a sunny spot.
  • Test the soil. See what it needs.
  • Clear the area. Remove weeds and brush.
  • Prepare the soil. Plow or till it.
  • Add lime and fertilizer if needed.
  • Plant deer-friendly seeds.
  • Keep weeds out.
  • Protect young plants if needed.

Food plots give deer a lot of food in one place. This can make them visit your yard often. Think about planting brassicas for fall and winter. Things like turnips and kale are good. Clovers and chicory are great for spring and summer. They grow back after deer eat them.

Corn for Deer

Many people use corn for deer. Deer do eat corn. It gives them quick energy. You can put out corn.

• Using Corn:
  • Place it in piles.
  • Use a deer feeder.

Corn is easy to get. Deer find it fast. But corn is not the best food for deer all the time. It is like candy for them. Too much corn can be bad for their stomachs, especially in winter if their diet changes suddenly. It’s better to use corn as part of a larger plan. It is a good deer bait.

Using Deer Feeders

Deer feeders can help bring deer into your yard. They give a steady source of food. Feeders come in many types.

• Types of Deer Feeders:
  • Spin Feeders: These throw food out at certain times. You set a timer. They spread food over an area. This can be good for corn or pellets.
  • Gravity Feeders: Food falls down as deer eat from the bottom. These are simple. They work well for corn or other dry food.
  • Trough Feeders: These are open boxes where you pour food. They are easy to fill. But rain can ruin the food. Other animals can also eat from them easily.

Putting a feeder out gives deer a reason to come around. Make sure feeders are allowed where you live. Some places have rules about feeding deer.

Best Deer Bait for Feeders

What is the best deer bait for a feeder? Corn is very common. Deer like it. Other options work well too.

• Other Good Baits:
  • Deer pellets (specially made food)
  • Acorns
  • Apples
  • Sugar beets

Mixing baits can work. A little corn with some special deer pellets can be good. The smell of some foods is a strong deer attractant.

Using Deer Attractant Scents

Deer attractant scents can pull deer into your area. These scents copy things deer smell in nature.

• Types of Scents:
  • Doe Urine: Smells like a female deer. Can attract bucks, especially during mating season.
  • Buck Urine: Smells like a male deer. Can challenge other bucks or attract curious does.
  • Food Scents: Copy the smell of tasty food like apples or acorns.
  • Curiosity Scents: Smells that just make deer wonder what is there.

You can put scents on trees or bushes near your yard. Don’t put them right where you want the deer to stand. Put them so deer have to walk towards your yard to find the source. Use scents carefully. Too much can scare deer. Using the wrong scent at the wrong time of year can also be bad. For example, using buck urine outside the mating season might not work well.

Water Source for Deer

Deer need to drink water every day. If there is no water nearby, they will go somewhere else. Providing a water source for deer can be a big draw.

• Ways to Add Water:
  • Small Pond or Stream: If you have space, a natural water spot is best.
  • Water Trough: A simple farm animal trough filled with water works. Keep it clean.
  • Large Container: A big tub or container filled with water. Sink it in the ground to look natural.
  • Water Feature: A small fountain or waterfall can work. The sound of water can attract them.

Make sure the water is easy for deer to reach. The edges should not be too steep or slippery. Keep the water fresh. Dirty water can make deer sick. A good water source is a key part of creating deer habitat.

Mineral Licks for Deer

Deer need minerals to stay healthy. They get some minerals from plants. But they often look for more. Mineral licks for deer give them the extra minerals they need.

• Why Minerals Matter:
  • Help bucks grow antlers.
  • Help does have healthy fawns.
  • Keep bones and teeth strong.
  • Help with overall health.

You can buy blocks or bags of minerals for deer. Place these in an area where deer feel safe.

• Setting Up a Mineral Lick:
  • Choose a spot deer already use.
  • Clear a patch of ground.
  • Pour the mineral mix onto the dirt. Or place a mineral block there.
  • Rain will soak the minerals into the soil. Deer will lick the dirt.

Mineral licks are long-lasting attractants. Deer will visit them often. Check local rules before setting out mineral licks. Some places do not allow them.

Creating Deer Cover

Deer need places to hide. This is called deer cover. Cover makes deer feel safe. It protects them from bad weather. It also hides them from predators like coyotes or dogs.

• What Makes Good Deer Cover?
  • Thick bushes
  • Tall grasses
  • Areas with many trees close together
  • Swampy areas with thick plants
  • Areas with fallen logs or rocks

If your yard is just open lawn, deer might not feel safe staying there long. You can create areas of cover.

• Adding Cover to Your Yard:
  • Plant thick shrubs or hedges.
  • Let a part of your yard grow wild with tall grasses and weeds.
  • Pile up brush or fallen branches in a corner.
  • Plant evergreen trees that provide cover all year.

Place cover areas near food and water sources. Deer like to eat, then move a short distance to hide and rest. Creating connected areas of food, water, and cover makes a perfect deer habitat.

Thinking About Deer Behavior

To attract deer, it helps to know how they act.

• When Deer Move: Deer are most active early in the morning and late in the evening. They often rest during the day.
• How Deer Find Food: Deer use their strong sense of smell. They also remember places where they found food before.
• What Makes Deer Feel Safe: Quiet places, thick cover, and knowing escape routes make deer feel safe.

Keep these things in mind when you place feeders, water, or cover. Put things in quiet spots away from constant human activity.

Putting It All Together: A Deer-Friendly Yard Plan

Making a yard that attracts deer takes planning. You need to think about food, water, and cover.

Step 1: Look at Your Yard

Walk around your yard. What do you have now? Is there food? Water? Places to hide? Where do you see deer now, if any?

Step 2: Decide What to Add

Based on what you have, what can you add?

• Need more food? Plant a food plot, add a feeder, or put in fruit trees.
• Need water? Add a trough or a small pond.
• Need cover? Plant bushes, let grass grow tall in an area, or make a brush pile.

Step 3: Plan the Layout

Where will you put things?

• Put food, water, and cover fairly close together.
• Place feeders or mineral licks in quiet spots.
• Make sure deer can get to the areas easily.

Step 4: Start Small

You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two things. Maybe add a water source or plant a small patch of clover. See what happens.

Step 5: Be Patient

Attracting deer takes time. It might not happen right away. Keep your food, water, and cover ready. Deer will find them.

Step 6: Check Local Rules

Always check city or county rules about feeding or attracting deer. Some places have rules to prevent problems between deer and people.

More Details on Food Options

Let’s look closer at different ways to feed deer.

Forage Planting Deep Dive

Beyond basic clover and corn, many plants work well.

• Legumes:

  • Alyce Clover: Good for summer.
  • Cowpeas: Good in warm weather.
  • Lablab: Provides food high up.

• Brassicas:

  • Turnips: Deer eat the tops and the root bulb after frost.
  • Radishes: Fast growing, deer eat leaves and roots.
  • Rape (Canola): Hardy, grows well in cool weather.

• Cereals:

  • Winter Wheat: Good for fall and winter grazing.
  • Oats: Good in cooler months.
  • Rye: Very tough, grows in poor soil.

Mixing seeds gives deer more choices. It also helps if one type of plant doesn’t grow well one year. Using different plants gives food from spring through winter. This is smart planting for deer.

Table of Popular Deer Food Plot Plants

Plant Type	Best Season	Growth Habit	Notes
Clover (White)	Spring/Summer	Low, Spreading	Perennial, comes back each year.
Clover (Red)	Spring/Summer	Taller, Upright	Grows faster than white clover.
Chicory	Spring/Summer	Upright, Deep Root	Hardy, lasts into fall.
Turnips	Fall/Winter	Root & Leaf	Leaves first, then roots after frost.
Radishes	Fall/Winter	Root & Leaf	Quick growing.
Winter Wheat	Fall/Winter	Grass	Provides green food in cold weather.
Corn	Fall	Tall Stalk	Provides energy-rich grain.
Soybeans	Summer/Fall	Bushy	Deer eat leaves and beans.

Advanced Deer Feeders

Some feeders are more high-tech.

• Protein Feeders: These feed high-protein pellets. This is especially good for antler growth in bucks and health in does and fawns. They often have tubes deer put their heads into.
• Timed Feeders with Spreader Plates: These are the spin feeders mentioned before. You can set them to feed at dawn and dusk. This is when deer are most active. It helps deer learn to come at certain times.

When using deer feeders, fill them often. Empty feeders don’t help. Keep the area around the feeder clean. Old, wet food can grow mold and make deer sick.

More on Best Deer Bait

While corn is easy, better options exist for overall deer health and attraction.

• Specialized Pellets: These are made for deer. They have balanced nutrients. They can cost more but are better for deer than just corn.
• Sugar Beets and Carrots: Deer love sweet things. Cut up sugar beets or carrots can be a strong attractant. They don’t last long if left out.
• Acorn or Apple Flavored Baits: These copy natural food smells. They can be added to corn or pellets.

Think about what is natural in your area. If you have apple trees, deer might already look for apples. Adding apple-scented bait can work well. The goal is to make your yard smell like a good place to eat. This is where deer attractant scents come in too. Using a food scent near your bait can help deer find it faster.

Water Source Details

Making sure your water source for deer is good is important.

• Depth and Access: Deer need to be able to reach the water safely. A shallow edge is helpful, especially for younger deer.
• Cleanliness: Water can get dirty from leaves, dirt, and animal waste. Clean your water source often. Algae can grow in still water. Moving water from a small pump can help keep it cleaner and also makes noise that might attract deer.
• Location: Place the water source where deer feel comfortable drinking. Near cover is good. Away from busy paths or roads is best.

Even a simple bird bath is too small for deer. They need a bigger source. A small pool or a large tub is much better.

Mineral Licks Specifics

Mineral licks for deer should be put in the right place.

• Location: Choose a spot in the woods or a quiet edge of your yard. Deer will visit these spots regularly, often yearly.
• Type of Mineral: Deer mineral mixes have salt, calcium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals. Blocks are easy to use. Powder or granular mixes soak into the soil better. Deer often prefer licking the mineral-rich dirt.
• How Much: Follow the directions on the product. Don’t use human mineral supplements; they are not right for deer.
• Timing: Deer use mineral licks most in spring and summer. This is when bucks are growing antlers and does are raising fawns. But they can visit them any time of year.

Remember to check local laws about mineral licks. Some states see them as baiting, which might be illegal during hunting season.

Enhancing Deer Cover

More ideas for creating deer cover.

• Native Plants: Use plants that grow naturally in your area. They are best for the environment and provide familiar cover for deer.
• Layers: Good cover has layers. Tall trees, then medium bushes, then low ground cover. This gives deer options depending on their needs.
• Size: Even a small patch of thick brush can help. Deer don’t need huge forests. An area the size of a large room or two can be enough for them to feel hidden.
• Connecting Cover: If possible, create paths of cover that connect different areas of your yard or connect your yard to nearby woods. Deer use these paths to move safely. This is key for creating good deer habitat.

Deer also use cover to bed down. This is where they rest. They often choose spots that face south in winter to get sun. In summer, they might choose shady, cooler spots.

Things to Be Careful About

Attracting deer is fun to watch, but there are things to consider.

• Deer and Gardens: Deer eat many garden plants. If you have a vegetable garden or prize flowers, you will need to protect them with fences.
• Deer Ticks: Deer can carry ticks. Ticks can spread diseases. Be aware of this if deer are spending time in your yard.
• Deer and Cars: More deer in your area can mean more risk of deer hitting cars.
• Local Laws: Again, always check local laws about feeding deer.
• Neighbor Relations: Your neighbors might not want deer in their yards. Talk to them.
• Dependence: If deer rely too much on your food source, they might struggle if you stop providing it.

Attracting deer should be done thoughtfully. The goal is to make your yard a part of a larger, healthy deer habitat, not just a feeding station that causes problems.

Bringing It All Together

To unlock the secrets of attracting deer to your yard, remember these main points:

1. Food is Key: Plant things they like (planting for deer), make deer food plots, use deer feeders, or put out corn for deer or other best deer bait.
2. Water is Needed: Provide a reliable water source for deer.
3. Cover is Crucial: Create safe places for them to hide (deer cover).
4. Minerals Help: Add mineral licks for deer for health.
5. Scents Can Attract: Use deer attractant scents carefully.
6. Think Like a Deer: Understand their needs and habits.
7. Start Small, Be Patient: It takes time to build a deer-friendly yard.
8. Be Responsible: Consider the risks and check local rules.

By providing these things, you make your yard a more attractive place for deer. You help in creating deer habitat right where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about attracting deer.

H5 Is it legal to feed deer in my yard?
This depends on where you live. Some cities or states have rules against feeding deer. This is often to stop the spread of disease or prevent too many deer from gathering in one spot. Always check your local laws first.

H5 Will attracting deer bring more ticks?
Yes, deer can carry ticks. If deer spend a lot of time in your yard, there might be more ticks there. Take care when walking in areas deer use.

H5 What is the single best thing to attract deer?
There is no single best thing that works everywhere. Deer need food, water, and cover. If your yard is missing one of these, adding that missing piece might be the most powerful attractant. A good food plot or a reliable water source in a dry area can be very effective.

H5 How long does it take to attract deer?
It can take time. Deer need to find the new food or water source. It might happen in a few days, or it could take weeks or even months. Once they find it and feel safe, they are likely to return.

H5 Can I use corn as the only food source?
You can, but it’s not the best for the deer’s health over time, especially in winter. Corn is low in protein. It’s better to use it as part of a varied food plan or as a temporary bait. Specialized deer pellets or natural forage are healthier.

H5 Where should I place a deer feeder?
Place it in a quiet area where deer feel safe. This is usually near the edge of woods or other cover. Make sure you can see it easily if you want to watch the deer.

H5 Do deer eat flowers?
Yes, deer eat many kinds of flowers and garden plants. If you have plants you want to protect, you will need to fence them off or use deer repellent sprays.

H5 What time of day should I look for deer?
Deer are most active around sunrise and sunset. These are the best times to watch for them visiting your yard or feeders.

By taking these steps, you can make your yard a welcoming place for deer and enjoy seeing them visit. Remember to do it safely and responsibly.