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Down here, a feeder is about as common on a deer lease as a lawn chair. Spin feeders throwing corn on a timer, protein in a feed pen, a tripod or box blind looking down a sendero at it all. Done right, a feeder helps you pattern deer, get a good look before you shoot and keep deer coming to a spot you can hunt. Done wrong, it feeds every coon in the county and teaches the deer to come in after dark. Here's how to pick a feeder setup and where to put it.
Feeder types
Spin (broadcast) feeders
The classic Southern setup: a barrel or hopper with a motor and spinner plate underneath that throws feed in a circle at set times. You either hang the hopper from a limb, set it on a tripod, or buy a kit that bolts onto a barrel or bucket you already have. Kits are popular because the motor and timer are the part that actually wears out.
Gravity and protein feeders
Gravity feeders let deer eat from a trough or port whenever they want. They're more common for protein, often inside a feed pen that keeps cattle out. Protein is more about herd health and antler growth through the year than about getting a shot this weekend.
Hanging feeders
A smaller hanging feeder is easy to haul in and set up, and it works on a small place or a bow setup where you don't want a big tripod.
What's new: Bluetooth and app feeders
When we pulled Amazon's Game Feeder Best Sellers on October 20, 2026, the #1, #2 and #5 spots were Moultrie feeders and kits with Bluetooth app control, and their listings say they pair with Moultrie's Edge 3 cameras. The idea is that you can set or change feed times from your phone when you're near the feeder instead of fiddling with buttons on a ladder. Some of these listings also mention remote access when paired with an Edge 3 camera. Bluetooth by itself is a short-range connection, so read each listing and Moultrie's own info to see what you need to control the feeder from away.
Corn vs. protein
- Corn is cheap and deer love it. It's mostly energy, not nutrition, and it draws hogs, coons and turkeys too. Keep it dry; wet corn can mold.
- Protein pellets cost more and are a long game for body condition and antlers. A lot of folks run protein year-round in a pen and use corn on a timer in front of the stand during season.
Where to put the feeder
- Close to cover, but not in it. Mature bucks like to stage in brush before stepping out. An edge or a sendero with thick stuff nearby is ideal.
- Blind distance. Hunters on Texas forums commonly describe setting blinds about 25–50 yards off the feeder. Closer suits bowhunters; rifle hunters can go farther. Range it and know your distance before season.
- Play the wind. Put the blind where your usual wind blows from the feeder to you, not the other way around. Have a second spot for the opposite wind if you can.
- Easy, quiet access. You should be able to get into the blind without walking past the feeder or through the bedding area.
- Shade the hopper. Hot sun bakes feed and the battery. A little shade goes a long way.
Timers and feed times
Most hunters set one feeding shortly after daylight and one an hour or two before dark, a few seconds each. The point is to get deer used to showing up when there's still shooting light. If your cameras show deer only coming at night, try moving the evening feed time earlier or cutting back how much the feeder throws so it's cleaned up fast.
Varmints and hogs
Coons will climb a tripod and hang off the spinner plate to rake out corn. A varmint guard or spin-plate cage keeps them off it. Hogs are a whole other problem; they'll clean up a corn pile in minutes. A lot of Southern hunters end up with a dedicated hog stand and feeder away from the deer setup. Pair any feeder with a trail camera so you know exactly who's eating; our trail camera guide has 2026 picks.
Maintenance checklist
- Check batteries before season and after cold snaps.
- Clean out caked or moldy feed.
- Tighten the motor and spinner, and check for chewed wires.
- Keep the solar panel, if you use one, clear of leaves.
Gear we'd look at
Picks that fit this guide, chosen from Amazon's current best-seller and search listings; we haven't tested them hands-on, so check current details, sizes and variants on the listing.
- Moultrie All-in-One II feeder kit — #1 on Amazon's Game Feeder Best Sellers when we checked. The listing says it includes the motor and spreader, Bluetooth app control and quick-lock mounting.
- Moultrie Pro Hunter III feeder kit — The listing mentions up to 10 daily feed times, adjustable spread and being solar ready.
- Moultrie 250 deer feeder — A complete feeder rather than a kit. The listing describes Bluetooth app control with no subscription required.
- Wildgame Innovations Trophy Hunter 6V digital feeder kit — A long-running, button-programmed 6-volt kit for folks who don't want an app.
- Moultrie All-in-One 30 lb hanging feeder — A smaller hanging feeder; the listing mentions a collapsible design and weatherproof hopper.
Related: Ground blind vs. tree stand · Best cellular trail cameras
Sources
- Amazon Best Sellers, Hunting Game Feeders, checked Oct. 20, 2026.
- TexasBowhunter.com: South Texas bow hunting setups