How to attract deer- 6 Tested Ways

Are you an archer or bow hunter looking for the best ways to attract deer? Not only is it important to know how to set up your equipment correctly and use proper form when shooting at a target, but also how you can draw deer in for longer hunting trips. From using scents and calls during mating season, to setting out bait throughout the year – there are many different tricks that can help bring the deer closer – and this blog post will delve into them all! There are some tricks and tips that you can use to attract the deer and make bow hunting much easier. So, lets get started.

1-Food Plots 

One of the most effective ways to lure deer onto your property is by planting food plots. Any animal can get attracted by food and deer is no exception. To ensure that you are giving the deer herds around your hunting zone the best nutrition possible, it’s important to recognize that whitetail deer require protein and fiber in their diets. By providing quality food sources like corn, protein pellets, acorns, soybeans, and more to deer in your area, you will be not just attracting them but also sustaining them as well. Deer travelling through your zone for feed will start to become more frequent and will spend longer periods of time there because of the dependable food sources available – all with supplies from your own pantry. Investing in quality groceries for the deer is one of the best way to attract deer.

You can plant clover, alfalfa, or other high-protein foods in a large area as bait for deer. Some hunters prefer to grow annual grains such as oats or wheat, while others opt for perennial plants like clover or chicory which will provide food year after year. By providing a reliable source of food, you’ll create an environment where deer feel safe, making them more likely to come back again and again. 

2-Scents & Lures 

Another great way is using scents and lures during hunting season. Deer have an incredibly powerful sense of smell, so using scents like doe urine or synthetic musk can be very effective at drawing in bucks from far away. Additionally, there are lures available that contain essential minerals and vitamins that help keep bucks healthy throughout the winter months—which makes them more likely to frequent your property when they need a boost of nutrients. 

3-Cover & Shelter 

In addition to food sources, another key factor in attracting deer is providing cover and shelter on your land. By planting trees around the perimeter of your property or creating brush piles near feeding areas, you’ll give the animals a place to hide from predators while they feed. Likewise, having water sources nearby also makes it more likely that deer will come back again and again because they’ll be able to quench their thirst without having to venture too far away from their hiding spots. 

4-Salt Licks

Attracting deer to your property can be easy as long as you are aware of a few simple techniques. Placing salt licks around the area is an effective way to draw in deer and other animals. Himalayan salt licks are both affordable and reliable, making them an ideal choice when looking to draw the deer’s in. The intense flavor of this type of salt makes it irresistible to the majority of wild creatures, making it a no-brainer for any property with interest in attracting deer. For anyone wanting to bring deer into their area, placing Himalayan salt licks can surely make a difference.

What type of salt lick is best for deer?

Salt licks provide essential minerals to deer that they can’t find in their normal diet. I personally recommend trying Himalayan pink salt. You can also try combination of rock salt (sodium chloride) and trace mineral salt. Rock salt ensures that the vital electrolytes are replaced, while trace mineral salt provides additional minerals like zinc and phosphorus which gives them added strength, better overall health and more energy. Positioning your salt lick strategically – away from traffic and highly visible areas – will also help to attract wild deer, allowing them to absorb all the awesome benefits that the perfect mix of salts can provide.

5-Making your Yard Deer Friendly

In order to attract deer to your yard, be sure about certain things. Keep pets away from any area you may want to attract deer to; even the slightest trace of a dog can spook them. Make sure that the grass on your property is kept at a good height – not too low that it’s uncomfortable for them, but not too tall that they feel exposed and vulnerable. Additionally, if you have fences up, consider taking them down as they may act as an obstacle and detraction. Finally, plant trees and shrubs that deer adore; things like berry-producing trees and plants as well as ones with aromatic scents are sure to draw in the local wildlife!

6-Build big buck bedding cover

Selecting the perfect location for a bucks’ bedding is essential. Take it from me — land management and deer habitat will have a strong influence on the size of your bucks. I recommend positioning the bedding area somewhere far from human activity, but close to the center of your property. Any slight rise or shelf will do. If you can find a ‘head of the hollow’, that’s ideal, since bucks like to bed high but move low in the afternoon in search of food or does to chase. To create an environment they won’t be able to resist, I suggest using a chainsaw to cut down significant amounts of low value trees — mostly ones that may already be injured, bent, diseased or otherwise compromised. Make sure to leave some standing and simply use a hinge-cut technique for others so as not to destroy them completely. With these changes, you will soon feel encouraged by an increase in buck activity!

Sum up  

Bow hunting for deer is a thrilling experience for any hunter—but it takes time and knowledge before you can consistently bag these elusive animals. Luckily, if you follow these tips on how to attract deer onto your land—from planting food plots and using lures & scents to providing cover & shelter—you’ll dramatically increase your chances of success! So get out there and start setting up the perfect habitat for bow hunting season! Good luck!

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