Introduction
Dealing with cows when you waiting to hunt is inconvenient. Because deers won’t get near the deer feeders when cattle are crowding there.
So, how to keep the cows away from deer feeders?
There are a few ways you can keep the cows away from feeders. An inexpensive solution is barb wires. Or, you can build a Triangular T-post fence around the deer feeders. If you have a bigger budget, investing in a hot wire fence is a great solution. But you have to consider a few things.
In this article, I will talk about the options to keep cows away from the feeder. There are pros and cons to each one as well.
Here are the methods that you can choose from –
Methods to Keep Cows Away from Deer Feeders
There are many types of fences for you to choose from. Depending on your preference and budget, every type of fence can provide great barriers for feeders.
I have suggested some fences you can use to keep the deer feeder safe from cows. Browse through and find out which one is for you –
Method 1: Barbed Wires fence
Barb wire fences are the cheapest of all the options I suggest in this article. You can easily build the fence on your own with some tools and barbed wire.
Barb wires are quite cheap and take less effort to build a cow-proof deep feeder. Although they have an injury hazard. The fence, if built around the entire buck range, will completely keep the cows away.
However, you can also build a small fence just around the feeders. If you build a fence and maintain 5 to 6 feet height, the feeders will be safe. A deep feeder fence to keep the cows out will not stop the deers from coming in. Because cows can’t jump that high but deers will get in at ease.
For further reduction of cost, you can use trees. Building the fences with trees will cut the cost of posts. Plus they are much more durable than metal posts.
Method 2: T-Post Fences
T-post fences are one of the longest-lasting fences. They are quite neat looking as well.
These fences are built with 4 to 6 lines of wires for durability. Because cows often lean in to lower the fences so they can get in. When more lines of wires are added to the fence, it will be more durable.
However, T-post fences are quite strong and withstand a lot of weight. When built with a frequent number of metal posts, they last for a long time.
Method 3: High Tensile Fixed-knot Wire Fence
High tensile fixed-knot wire fencing offers a durable fence for a higher up-front cost. These fences are the finest for deer since they maintain their shape. These wires last longer and require far fewer replacements and repairs.
The wires can go back to their shape after the animals lean into the fence. They also successfully keep the cows and hogs away.
High Tensile fences are made of galvanized parts, making them last up to 50 years. They are also very easy to build and maintain. Fences as high as 5 feet will keep the cows away from the deer feeders.
The only downside is its initial cost is higher.
Method 4: Synthetic Fence
Synthetic fences are made of PVC pipes. Which mimics the appearance and texture of wooden fences without the rot risk.
Synthetic fences are pricey, but they withstand harsh conditions and damage. This plastic deer fence is a pretty good investment for years to come.
Synthetic fences are some of the best fences for deer feeders. The cows will keep away from the feeders with fences as high as 5 feet.
Method 5: Hot Wired Fence
The best way to keep cows away from deer feeders is to save for the last.
Hot wires fence is the most expensive fence on this list. Because it uses an insulator and ground wires, It’s safe unless something comes into contact.
The electric fence around deer feeder is also used often. When a cow comes into contact, the electricity passes through it to go to the ground. As a result, the cow is shocked by electricity.
Hotwired fences use the basic law of electric currents. This law provides a psychological barrier for the cows to keep away. You also need to be careful of the mistakes when putting up an electric fence.
Since getting a shock, cattle or cows don’t get even near the fences. The more moisture in the soil, the bigger the shock.
The downside of this fence is the cost and being less effective in the dry season.
FAQs
Do cows mess up deer hunting?
Cows can mess up deer hunting. They can crowd the feeders where you will be interrupted in hunting. You can arrive early to avoid this situation. If you have pastures in your range, cattle will gather. And deers won’t hang around there for long. You can rotate the pasture to mitigate the issue.
Can you hunt around cows?
You can hunt deers around cows with no significant problems. Deers usually steer away from cattle on their own. You can use cattle to your advantage. If you have trouble aiming, I recommend using a fence. There are few options to explore in the case of building fences around deer feeders.
Is a deer feeder a good idea?
Deer feeders are great for attracting deer. Feeders can easily gather deers to gather in one place. It’s a great solution to get the deer of your dreams into easy shooting distance. You will only need to fill the feeder once- or twice per season. The maintenance is also easy for a 40-gallon feeder.
Conclusion
In conclusion, here’s a small tip on how to keep cows away from deers.
That is to spread around corn and feed across the range you’ll hunt in. Cows can’t feed on the ground because they lack a mandible to pick corn.
And deers can easily pick food up from the ground. You’ll have a better chance at hunting.
Was the article helpful? Let me know!
See you around until then!
