Big Game Feeders

In a recent issue of "Covey Rise", the director of Rolling Plains research center paints a compelling picture of why Big Game feeders are a factor in reducing quail coveys in areas where they are used. Issues cited are use of corn, which as tested contained various degrees of aflitoxins, highly toxic to quail sized birds, concentration of raccoons, and other predators. Quail readily become dependent upon the feeders, and nest and reside in the immediate area, making them more vulnerable to depredation. So if you like quail, might want to use mineral/protien blocks, which don't require a feeder. Save money on the feeder, and save a quail or two as well.
 
The three locations where I'll be using this feeder doesn't hold upland birds. One spot I would still consider "urban" just outside of Kansas City, the other two locations are farms where there is really no habitat for quail.
 
Just giving you a heads up, the entire state of Texas is a high density deer feeding zone, which is where this research was done. In or near Kansas City, with it's fescue monoculture, where I live just north of Liberty, we are overrun with deer, saw 1 covey of birds last fall, haven't heard a spring call in 4 years, used to be common. Good Luck.
 
oldandnew said:
In or near Kansas City, with it's fescue monoculture, where I live just north of Liberty, we are overrun with deer, saw 1 covey of birds last fall, haven't heard a spring call in 4 years, used to be common.
Click to expand...

It is my mission to thin out those deer sir, and some Easterns... :D
 
from KC to Topeka and within 60 miles either side of I 70- you don't need feeders unless you want to draw them in making them easy

deer or turkey arround feeders- not real fair chase- much like pay to hunt operations- they become dumb

you don't need feeders in the farm belt
 
It's not necessarily about that, it's more of "keeping up with the Jones'". Both adjacent neighbors at my primary deer hunting spot have resorted to feeding over the past few years. The deer can reach both properties from their bedding area without having to venture through the property I have permission to hunt.

I spent days on end last year sitting in the woods and watching squirrels at play. I hope to at least even the odds this year. If it takes some sort of an attractant beyond urine and other scents to accomplish that, so be it.
 
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