Deer feeders are a popular tool among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. They attract deer to a specific location, making it easier to observe or hunt them.

However, store-bought deer feeders can be expensive and may not always meet your specific needs.

This is where DIY deer feeders come in. They are cost-effective, customizable, and can be a fun project for any outdoor enthusiast.

Why Make a DIY Deer Feeder?

Feeding deer is a common practice to attract them to your property for an easier hunting experience. The goal isn’t to overfeed the deer but to get them accustomed to visiting a specific area, making it easier for you to observe or hunt them.

Making your own DIY deer feeder has several advantages. The primary reason is cost. You can often make your own deer feeder cheaper than buying one, especially when you consider the cost of gas or shipping fees.

Also, a homemade deer feeder can be as simple or as complex as you want. You can customize it to your specific needs and preferences. Plus, there’s the satisfaction of creating an effective tool with your own hands.

Most Common Homemade Deer Feeder Designs

There are several common designs for homemade deer feeders. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Poor Man’s PVC Feeder

This design is simple and cost-effective. All the materials can be bought at your local hardware store for a low price, and the only tools needed are a drill and a hacksaw. The feeder works by gravity, with feed moving down the PVC pipe as it gets eaten.

It also includes a drain at the bottom to let out any rainwater that gets in, preventing the feed from becoming moldy.

But how to make a poor man’s PVC Feeder? Here’s a detailed guide:

Materials:

Following are the materials that you will need:

A 10-foot section of 4-inch PVC Pipe
4-inch PVC Cap
4-inch PVC Female Adapter
4-Inch PVC Plug
PVC Cement

Steps:

Cut the PVC pipe to your desired length. A length of 5 to 6 feet is usually sufficient.
Drill several 1-inch holes in the pipe, starting about 12 inches from the bottom and spacing them about 6 inches apart.
Use the PVC cement to attach the cap to one end of the pipe and the female adapter to the other end.
Fill the pipe with deer feed, then screw the plug into the female adapter to close the feeder.
Mount the feeder on a post or tree, with the cap end down and the plug end up.

5-Gallon Bucket Deer Feeder

This feeder uses a 5-gallon bucket to hold the feed, with a small hole cut into the bottom.

A wooden bridge is fitted across the inside of the bucket, suspending a length of an all-thread rod through the hole. A large tin can is suspended from the bottom of the rod, causing the feed to fall from the hole when the can is moved.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you make a 5-Gallon Bucket Deer Feeder.

Materials:

5-gallon bucket with lid
36-inch long 1/4-20 threaded rod
5x 1/4-inch washers
2-inch washer
Six 1/4-inch nuts
1×2-inch lumber, at least 15 inches long
Metal coffee can
Rope
Screws

Steps:

Drill a 1-inch wide hole in the bottom of the bucket.
Cut the wood to fit inside the bottom of the bucket, slightly longer than 10 inches long, and cut two 2-inch sections off the rest of the wood.
Drill a hole in the center of the wood a bit wider than the threaded rod. This will be the pivot point so it needs to be able to swing slightly.
Nail or screw the 2-inch sections vertically to the horizontal 10-inch section to form a bridge.
Drill a 1/4-inch hole into the coffee can or a similar object.
Assemble the hole-blocking portion by threading onto the middle of the rod one nut, one 1/4-inch washer, the 2-inch washer, another 1/4-inch washer, and then two nuts.
Use a nut and washer on either end of the can to attach it to the bottom of the rod.
Set the bridge into the feeder then insert the rod up through both holes and attach it with a nut and a washer.
Adjust the 2-inch washer up and down until it’s an inch or so below the bucket hole.
Tie the feeder to a tree so the can so deer find the can easy to bonk.
Fill it up with some deer feed.
Adjust the 2-inch washer height so each nudge allows some feed to drop but doesn’t cause a cascade.

Covered Deer Feeder

A covered deer feeder is designed to protect the feed from rain and other elements. This can be achieved by using a large drum with a lid, mounted on a wooden platform.

Holes are cut around the bottom of the drum, and PVC elbows are inserted to channel the feed into trays underneath.

Follow the guide below to make your own Covered Deer Feeder:

Materials:

The large drum with a lid
Concrete blocks, wood, or PVC pipe to build a platform
2-inch PVC elbow joints
12-inch drywall mud pans or similar trough-like trays
PVC cement (optional)
Screws or bolts
Rope or ratchet strap

Steps:

Drill 2-inch holes in the side of the drum, near the bottom.
Drill 2-inch holes in the middle of the side of the trays.
Trim the PVC joints so they don’t stick up too high inside the drum and shove the PVC elbow joints through the hole.
Stick the troughs onto the end of the PVC pipe.
Cement everything if you want.
Screw the trays into the drum next to the pipe (or use bolts if you want to be fancy).
Assemble a platform so the bottom of the drum is 2 feet above the ground.
Place the drum onto the platform and hold it onto the platform with rope or a ratchet strap.
Fill the drum up with a hundred pounds of feed and leave it be for a long time.

Homemade Wooden Box Deer Feeder

This design involves building a wooden box to hold the feed. The box can be mounted on a post or hung from a tree.

It’s a bit more labor-intensive than some of the other designs, but it’s sturdy and can hold a large amount of feed.

Here’s how you can make a Homemade Wooden Box Deer Feeder:

Materials:

1×12-inch lumber
2×4-inch lumber
Screws
Drill
Saw

Steps:

Cut the 1×12-inch lumber into four pieces: two 24-inch pieces for the sides, one 20-inch piece for the bottom, and one 22-inch piece for the back.
Cut the 2×4-inch lumber into two 24-inch pieces for the front and back supports, and two 20-inch pieces for the side supports.
Screw the side pieces to the bottom piece, then screw the back piece to the sides and bottom.
Screw the front and back supports to the bottom and back, then screw the side supports to the sides and bottom.
Fill the box with feed and mount it on a post or hang it from a tree.

Barrel Deer Feeder

A barrel deer feeder is similar to the covered deer feeder, but it uses a large barrel instead of a drum.

The barrel is mounted on a platform, and holes are cut into the bottom to allow the feed to fall out.

This design can hold a large amount of feed, making it a good option if you don’t want to refill the feeder frequently.

The following is a detailed guide to making a Barrel Deer Feeder:

Materials:

Large barrel with lid
Concrete blocks, wood, or PVC pipe to build a platform
2-inch PVC elbow joints
12-inch drywall mud pans or similar trough-like trays
PVC cement (optional)
Screws or bolts
Rope or ratchet strap

Steps:

Drill 2-inch holes in the side of the barrel, near the bottom.
Drill 2-inch holes in the middle of the side of the trays.
Trim the PVC joints so they don’t stick up too high inside the barrel and shove the PVC elbow joints through the hole.
Stick the troughs onto the end of the PVC pipe.
Cement everything if you want.
Screw the trays into the barrel next to the pipe (or use bolts if you want to be fancy).
Assemble a platform so the bottom of the barrel is 2 feet above the ground.
Place the barrel onto the platform and hold it onto the platform with rope or a ratchet strap.

Down Spout Deer Feeder And Food Recipe

This design uses a downspout to dispense the feed. The downspout is attached to a bucket or drum, which holds the feed.

When the deer push against the downspout, the feed falls out. Here’s how you can create a Down Spout Deer Feeder:

Materials:

Downspout
Bucket or drum
Screws
Drill
Saw

Steps:

Cut the downspout to your desired length. A length of 3 to 4 feet is usually sufficient.
Drill a hole in the side of the bucket or drum, near the bottom, that’s the same size as the downspout.
Insert the downspout into the hole and secure it with screws.
Fill the bucket or drum with feed.
Mount the feeder on a post or tree, with the downspout end near the ground.

PVC Deer Feeder

A PVC deer feeder is a simple and cost-effective design. It uses a length of PVC pipe to hold the feed, with holes drilled into the bottom to allow the feed to fall out.

The pipe can be mounted on a post or hung from a tree.

To create a PVC Deer Feeder, follow the guide below:

Materials:

A 10-foot section of 4-inch PVC pipe
4-inch PVC cap
4-inch PVC female adapter
4-inch PVC plug
PVC cement
Drill with a 1-inch hole saw

Steps:

Cut the PVC pipe to your desired length. A length of 5 to 6 feet is usually sufficient.
Drill several 1-inch holes in the pipe, starting about 12 inches from the bottom and spacing them about 6 inches apart.
Use the PVC cement to attach the cap to one end of the pipe and the female adapter to the other end.
Fill the pipe with deer feed, then screw the plug into the female adapter to close the feeder.
Mount the feeder on a post or tree, with the cap end down and the plug end up.

Hanging Deer Feeder

A hanging deer feeder is designed to be hung from a tree or post. It can be made from a variety of materials, including buckets, barrels, or PVC pipe.

The feed is dispensed from the bottom of the feeder, either through holes or a spout.

To create a hanging deer feeder, follow the guide mentioned below:

Materials:

5-gallon bucket with lid
Drill
Rope

Steps:

Drill several 1-inch holes in the side of the bucket, near the bottom.
Fill the bucket with deer feed and secure the lid.
Tie a rope to the handle of the bucket, then hang the bucket from a tree or post. The height should be such that the deer can reach the holes but not the lid.

Gravity Feeder

A gravity feeder works by allowing the feed to fall out of the bottom of the feeder as the deer eat. This can be achieved with a variety of designs, including buckets, barrels, or PVC pipe.

The key is to have a mechanism that allows the feed to fall out slowly, so it doesn’t all come out at once.

Here’s how you can create a gravity feeder:

Materials:

5-gallon bucket with lid
PVC pipe
PVC elbow
PVC cap
PVC cement
Drill

Steps:

Drill a hole in the side of the bucket, near the bottom, that’s the same size as the PVC pipe.
Cut a short length of PVC pipe and attach the elbow to one end and the cap to the other end.
Insert the uncapped end of the PVC pipe into the hole in the bucket and secure it with PVC cement.
Fill the bucket with feed and secure the lid.
Mount the feeder on a post or tree, with the capped end of the PVC pipe near the ground.

Barrel Corn Feeder

A barrel corn feeder is a specific type of barrel feeder designed to dispense corn.

It works in the same way as a regular barrel feeder, with holes cut into the bottom to allow the corn to fall out.

Materials:

Large barrel with lid
Concrete blocks, wood, or PVC pipe to build a platform
2-inch PVC elbow joints
12-inch drywall mud pans or similar trough-like trays
PVC cement (optional)
Screws or bolts
Rope or ratchet strap

Steps:

Drill 2-inch holes in the side of the barrel, near the bottom.
Drill 2-inch holes in the middle of the side of the trays.
Trim the PVC joints so they don’t stick up too high inside the barrel and shove the PVC elbow joints through the hole.
Stick the troughs onto the end of the PVC pipe.
Cement everything if you want.
Screw the trays into the barrel next to the pipe (or use bolts if you want to be fancy).
Assemble a platform so the bottom of the barrel is 2 feet above the ground.
Place the barrel onto the platform and hold it onto the platform with rope or a ratchet strap.

Automatic Deer Feeder

An automatic deer feeder is designed to dispense feed at specific times. This is achieved by using a timer and a motor to release the feed.

Automatic feeders can be more expensive and complex to build, but they can also be more effective at attracting deer.

Materials:

5-gallon bucket with lid
Automatic deer feeder kit (available at hunting supply stores)
Drill
Screws

Steps:

Drill a hole in the bottom of the bucket that’s the same size as the spout on the automatic feeder kit.
Attach the automatic feeder to the bucket according to the instructions included in the kit.
Fill the bucket with feed and secure the lid.
Mount the feeder on a post or tree, with the automatic feeder near the ground.

Wooden Deer Trough

A wooden deer trough is a simple and sturdy design. It involves building a large wooden trough to hold the feed.

The trough can be placed on the ground or mounted on a platform.

Materials:

2×4-inch lumber
1×6-inch lumber
Screws
Drill
Saw

Steps:

Cut the 2x4s into four pieces: two 36-inch pieces for the sides and two 24-inch pieces for the ends.
Cut the 1x6s into three 36-inch pieces for the bottom and sides.
Screw the 2x4s together to form a rectangle, then screw the 1x6s to the 2x4s to form the trough.
Fill the trough with feed and place it in your desired location.

Automatic Bucket Deer Feeder

An automatic bucket deer feeder works in the same way as an automatic deer feeder, but it uses a bucket to hold the feed.

The bucket is fitted with a motor and a timer to dispense the feed at specific times.

Materials:

5-gallon bucket with lid
Automatic deer feeder kit (available at hunting supply stores)
Drill
Screws

Steps:

Drill a hole in the bottom of the bucket that’s the same size as the spout on the automatic feeder kit.
Attach the automatic feeder to the bucket according to the instructions included in the kit.
Fill the bucket with feed and secure the lid.
Mount the feeder on a post or tree, with the automatic feeder near the ground.

Do’s and Don’ts When Making a Homemade DIY Deer Feeder

Creating a homemade DIY deer feeder can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to keep a few key considerations in mind to ensure the safety of the deer and the effectiveness of your feeder.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to guide you through the process:

Do’s:

Do Use Safe and Non-Toxic Materials:

When constructing your feeder, ensure that all materials used are safe and non-toxic. Avoid using materials that can rust or degrade over time, as these can harm the deer.

Do Ensure Stability:

Make sure your feeder is stable and securely fastened. If your feeder is not stable, it could fall over and scare away the deer or, worse, injure them.

Do Consider the Location:

Place your feeder in a location that is easily accessible to the deer but not too close to roads or residential areas. This will help to keep the deer safe from traffic and potential conflicts with humans.

Do Regularly Clean the Feeder:

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria that can harm the deer. It also helps to keep the feed fresh and attractive to the deer.

Do Monitor the Feeder:

Keep an eye on your feeder to ensure it’s functioning properly and to monitor the deer activity. This can help you make any necessary adjustments to improve the feeder’s effectiveness.

Don’ts:

Don’t Overfeed the Deer:

While it might be tempting to keep your feeder constantly full, overfeeding can lead to health problems for the deer and can disrupt their natural feeding patterns.

Don’t Use the Wrong Type of Feed:

Certain types of feed can be harmful to deer. Corn, for example, can be difficult for deer to digest if they’re not used to it. Always research the best types of feed for deer in your area.

Don’t Ignore Local Laws and Regulations:

In some areas, feeding deer is illegal or regulated. Always check with your local wildlife agency or hunting authority before setting up a deer feeder.

Don’t Neglect Maintenance:

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your feeder in good working condition. This includes refilling the feed, cleaning the feeder, and checking for any damage or wear and tear.

FAQs

Are Deer Feeders Legal?

The legality of deer feeders depends on local laws and regulations. In some areas, it’s perfectly legal to use deer feeders, while in others it may be prohibited or restricted.

Always check with your local wildlife agency or hunting authority before setting up a deer feeder.

Which Food Should I Use to Attract Deer?

The best food to attract deer can vary depending on the season and the local deer population. In general, deer are attracted to foods like corn, oats, and specialty deer feed.

However, it’s important to note that feeding deer the wrong type of food or too much food can be harmful to their health. Always do your research and consider consulting with a local wildlife expert or hunting authority.

Are homemade deer feeders safe?

Yes, homemade deer feeders are generally safe for deer as long as they are built and used correctly. It’s important to ensure that the feeder is sturdy and secure and that it doesn’t have any sharp edges or parts that could harm the deer.

Also, make sure to regularly clean the feeder to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria.

Conclusion

Building your own DIY deer feeder can be a rewarding project that saves you money and gives you a greater sense of connection with the wildlife on your property.

Whether you choose a simple design or a more complex one, a homemade deer feeder can be an effective tool for attracting deer.

Just remember to always follow local laws and regulations, and to consider the health and safety of the deer when choosing your design and feed.