What are some things deer love to eat that will attract them to the feeder while waiting for the hunt? Having corn in the feeder for bait is excellent, but there needs to be a little more incentive to drive the deer to the hunting turf. Mixing it with something that drives the deer wild will have them running in your direction. Apples tend to be the favorite pick among many hunters.
How Far Can Deer Smell Corn?
There is no scientific evidence on how far a deer’s sense of smell goes. However, it is suspected deer can smell up to ten times better than the human nose.
They use their nose to smell danger, other deer, and food and pick up a scent from approximately half a mile away, including the corn used as bait. Some footage shows the deer has picked up and followed the smell of corn pile baits for up to a couple of miles away.
Some factors play a role in how far away the deer can smell corn. Gender, age, and wind direction are the factors that are noticed by most hunters. If the wind is blowing in the direction of the deer, they will smell the corn for miles. It can be difficult to trick a deer when it comes to scents.
Deer love corn, especially Indian corn. Hunters use added attractants to the corn to ensure the deer will come to their feeder. It enhances the chances of an easy kill as it brings the deer to the habit of feeding at the same location.
Understanding the Nose and Brain of a Deer
Before we can look into the favored attractants added into corn, we must understand the interior of the nose of a deer. Millions of nerve cells make up different groups.
Each group can detect and decipher a specific scent. Now there are thousands of different smells that can attract or chase off a deer.
As the smell enters the nose, cell receptors trigger the reaction in the deer’s brain. It tells the deer if it is corn, other foods, danger, other deer, and any other scent used for survival.
This is why it is critical to have the appropriate attractant added to the corn and not have any different outside smells to scare the deer away. Their brain will keep them coming for food and alert them of imminent danger, and they will avoid the area altogether.
The Different Attractants Added to Corn
We have found the best attractants come with one of the deer’s favorite foods: apples. There are pros and cons to each, and we will cover what makes each stand out above the rest.
Lucky Buck Apple Flavored Mineral Attractant
- #LBM20
- 20 lb bucket
- Apple flavored
- No site prep, just dump it out
- Deer love the apple flavor, helps develop healthier & larger ra
The attractant comes in a 20-pound bucket and is perfect because it is already mixed with the corn. It is safe for the deer and will not cause them to overeat. The sweet scent of apples will keep the deer running back to the feeder.
Evolved Habitats Deer Co-Cain Black Magic
- Country Of Origin : China
- The Package Height Of The Product Is 1 Inches
- The Package Length Of The Product Is 1 Inches
- The Package Width Of The Product Is 1 Inc
There is a powder and a liquid attractant mixed in this 4.5-pound bag. It is a mixture of the manufacturer’s best-selling products, Deer Co-Cain powder, and the Black Magic liquid attractant. Its blend is designed to bring the deer to the feeder as soon as it is put down. The scent is a strong licorice smell and is used to mix with the corn only. It cannot be placed by itself.
Wild Game Innovations Acorn Rage
- Acorns are collected, crushed, and blended with a Special oil-enriched roasted soybean meal
- Real Acorn mixture
- Nutrient filled formula improves Deer health
- Acorns blended with oil-enriched roasted soybean meat
- Blends chestnuts with minerals and proteins
- Five pound
The choice of availability comes in 5.5 to 15-pound bags. The powder is made with natural acorns. This product was designed for the deer’s health in mind. It is a concentrated formula and ready to mix with corn. Some deer ignore corn, but they will not ignore it with this attractant added to the mix. The attractant is loaded with protein.
HME Scent Web Apple
- Patented scent, wick and a delivery System all in one.
- The Magnum propulsion will shoot a web up to 15 feet.
- Each can contains up to 300 feet of web and fits easily into a coat pocket
- It will remain active until it dries and becomes brittle
- Up to 300% more powerful than liquid scent products
This attractant is a spray that is used to put near or on the corn. The apple scent will draw the deer to the feeder. Its contents are made of a 300-foot web and can shoot up to 15 feet away. This helps with keeping the hunter’s scent away from the feeder.
Crooked Bend 25-Pound Food Plot Seed
- Soy beans will provide high quality protein to your deer heard!
- Turkeys, pheasant, and other wildlife will love the Sunflowers that grow tall and beautiful!
- Red and Crimson Clovers will amplify the soil heath!
- The Sugar Buns Corn attracts whitetail deer and other wild game animals!
- Sold in 25 pound bag. Covers 3/4 ac
Deer also are attracted to soybeans and sunflower seeds. This is another healthy blend to add to the corn that is loaded with protein. This product is designed as an investment to have a trophy deer when the time is right. However, it not only works for deer but for other wild games such as pheasants and turkeys.
Choosing What Works Best
When shopping for attractants to add to the corn, the goal in mind is to get the best for your buck; pun intended. Use what works, and it may take a few tries, but starting out with the best attractants can save time and money. It can also bring in that deer you have been waiting for to the feeder. Preference is the key, but what is proven works the best.
