Important Things To Check Before Using An Automatic Deer Feeder That's Been In Storage

Posted on: 20 July 2018

Last year, your automatic deer feeder served you very well. Maybe it even helped you land that trophy buck. But the thing has been in storage since last open season, which means you may have to give it a little attention before using the feeder again. Here are a few important things to check out before using your automatic deer feeder from a company like Boss Buck after it has been stored for a prolonged period. 

Does the deer feeder need to be lubricated?

Automatic deer feeders usually have a hopper that is either solar powered or battery powered. The feeder is set to distribute the feed by dropping more into a spinning hopper that shoots the feed out onto the ground. If you store away your deer feeder until next hunting season rolls around, the spinning hopper on the feeder can get a little sticky, which can cause some screeching and racket when the thing does spin in the field. As any hunter knows, deer are finicky creatures. If something is making an odd noise, they are probably going to steer clear of it, even if there is food involved. Therefore, it is always best to check your feeder to see if the moving parts need a shot of lubrication before it is placed in the woods.  

Is the deer feeder clean and sanitized?

The worst thing you can do is pull out last year's automatic feeder and drop in new feed without cleaning out the thing. Deer feed, which is mostly corn, can rot and decay just like anything else. Not only will this mean the feeder will radiate a bad smell that could deter the deer, it could potentially make them sick. Take a few minutes to thoroughly clean the feeder with a mild solution of soapy water and a little bleach, then rinse it out thoroughly and allow it to dry. 

Do the legs still feel stable?

During the process of hauling your automatic deer feeder to and from the woods, it is easy to bump against trees, brush, and all kinds of stuff that can work the legs loose on the feeder. If the legs on the feeder are not stable or have loose hardware, a misguided deer could easily knock over the whole thing, which means you will be out a lot of money in feed and possibly be left with a damaged feeder. Tighten up the legs on the feeder before you leave it in the woods to be safe. 

Share