Are you a hunter or wildlife enthusiast looking for tips on how to attract deer to your yard? You’ve come to the right place! Attracting deer and other animals can be an enjoyable pastime that adds some outdoor excitement to your backyard.
In this blog post, we will share our top strategies for luring those majestic creatures to your property so you can get even closer to nature. From setting up food plots, planting the right shrubs and trees, and providing water sources– these simple steps will help turn your yard into an inviting habitat for visiting bucks and does.
So if you’re ready to enjoy some of nature’s most beautiful creatures from the comfort of home, let’s dive into it!
What Scent Attracts Deer the Most?
Adding the right scent to your yard can help you attract deer. One of the most popular scents used to lure in deer is anise oil, which is a fragrant essential oil extracted from the root of a plant called Pimpinella anisum. Anise oil has a sweet licorice-like aroma and pungent taste.
While deer cannot actually smell the anise oil itself, they are attracted to the flavor of licorice that they find in it. The scent is strong enough to linger on plants and trees nearby and draw in deer from a distance. You can purchase anise oil online or at some hunting stores.
Other scents that attract deer include apple and raspberry. Apples have a sweet smell that attracts deer, while raspberries give off a fruity aroma that can draw in more deer to your yard. You may also want to try combining different scents together for a stronger scent.
Try mixing anise oil with apple or raspberry for extra potency. You can find these scents online or at hunting stores as well.
If possible, try to plant potted plants that have fragrant foliage in your yard. These may include honeysuckle, sweet clover, and alfalfa. Not only will these plants attract deer, but they can also serve as a snack for the animals if you are open to having them eat the plants in your yard.
By adding the right scent and planting the right plants, you can easily attract deer to your yard. The key is to find a scent that will be strong enough for deer to smell from a distance and that they will also find attractive.
With a bit of trial and error, you should eventually find success in attracting deer to your yard.
8 Methods on How to Attract Deer to Your Yard
1. Plant the Right Trees
One of the best ways to attract deer to your yard is to plant the right trees. Deer love to eat acorns, so planting oak trees is a great way to attract them. Other trees that deer like to eat include beech trees, birch trees, and maple trees. Planting these trees around your yard can help bring deer closer to you.
If you live in a more rural area, you may want to plant apple and pear trees as well. However, be aware that these trees can attract other wildlife as well, including birds and raccoons. Try taping aluminum foil around the trunk of your fruit trees to deter other animals.
2. Plant the Right Plants
In addition to planting the right trees, you should also plant the right plants. Deer love to eat a variety of plants, including clover, dandelions, and violets. You can find a complete list of plants that deer like to eat here. Planting these plants in your yard will give deer easy access to a variety of food sources.
Planting flowers can also help attract deer to your yard. Certain types of flowers, such as marigolds, zinnias, and hollyhocks, are especially attractive to deer.
Deers also enjoy eating tulips and hosta bulbs, so if you’re looking to attract deer to your yard, try planting some of these flowers. In addition to planting the right plants, you can also consider planting a variety of shrubs and trees, such as oaks, maples, and pines. These plants will provide deer with shelter, shade, and a variety of food sources.
3. Put Out a Salt Lick
Another way to attract deer to your yard is to put out a salt lick. Deers need salt in their diet, so they will be attracted to a salt lick. You can buy a salt lick at most sporting goods stores or online. Place the salt lick in an open area of your yard, away from any vegetation. Avoid placing it directly on the ground, as this can attract other animals, such as mice and rats.
Deer are also attracted to the smell of minerals, so if you can find a mineral block in your area, that will draw them in as well. Be sure to check local regulations before setting out a salt lick or mineral block, as some locations have restrictions on these items. Once you have the salt lick set up, keep an eye out for deer visiting your yard!
4. Put Out a Feeder
One of the easiest ways to attract deer to your yard is to put out a feeder. Deer feeders can be bought at most sporting goods stores or online. Be sure to fill the feeder with high-quality deer food so that the deer are getting the nutrition they need. Be sure to keep the feeder in a covered area so that the food won’t get wet or dirty.
Make sure you clean out the feeder regularly to prevent the spread of any diseases. Additionally, place the feeder away from your home or other buildings so that deer won’t become too comfortable being near human activity.
5. Create a Watering Hole
Deers need water just like any other animal, so creating a watering hole is a great way to attract them to your yard. You can create a watering hole by simply digging a hole and filling it with water. Be sure to keep the water fresh by changing it regularly.
You can also add some rocks or other materials to the water to give it a natural feel and attract more deer. Additionally, consider adding a small bird bath or fountain to the watering hole, as this can help keep the water circulating. This will also provide a source of entertainment for any birds that come to your yard.
6. Use Deer Decoys
Deer decoys are another great way to attract deer to your yard. Deer decoys are life-size replicas of deer that you can place in your yard. When placed in strategic locations, deer decoys can help lure deer into your yard. Deer decoys are particularly effective during the breeding season when bucks are more likely to be on the lookout for does.
You can also use these replicas to block deer from entering certain areas of your property. Be sure to place the decoys in a variety of positions and move them periodically for best results. Additionally, make sure to clean and store the decoys after each use in order to keep them in top condition.
7. Play Deer Calls
Playing deer calls is another effective way to attract deer to your yard. There are many different types of deer calls available on the market, so you can choose one that best suits your needs. Some popular types of deer calls include grunt calls, doe bleat calls, and fawn distress calls.
These calls are designed to mimic the sounds that deer make in the wild, so they can be effective at drawing deer into your yard. However, you should only use deer calls sparingly. Deer can become accustomed to the sound and ignore it if it’s used too often. Additionally, be sure to practice your deer calls regularly so that you can make them sound as realistic as possible.
8 . Use Scent-Based Products
There are many different types of scent-based products available on the market that can be used to attract deer to your yard. These products typically contain either synthetic or natural scents that are designed to attract deer. Some popular scent-based products include urine-based lures, cover scents, and attractants.
All of these products should be used sparingly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as too much scent can potentially repel deer. Additionally, if you are using scent-based products, it is important to remember that deer can identify and recognize distinct odors.
Therefore, if you want to attract deer to your yard, you should choose a scent that is unique and not familiar to the deer.
Conclusion
Deer are a popular topic of conversation among hunters and those who wish to keep them away from their property. If you live in an area with deer, it is important to learn how to attract them so you can either enjoy watching them or ensure they stay away from your plants.
By following the proper steps on how to attract deer to your yard, you will be able to have the deer population in your area that you desire.
