Automatic Deer & Hog Feeders with Timer: Hunter's Setup Guide | King of Feeders
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Automatic Feeders for Deer, Hogs, and Wildlife: The Complete Hunter's Guide
If you've spent any time hunting deer or wild hogs, you already know that consistency is everything. Animals are creatures of habit — and a well-placed automatic feeder with a reliable timer is one of the most effective tools you can use to pattern game, attract wildlife to a specific spot, and put yourself in a position to make a clean shot.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how automatic feeders work, what feed to use for each animal, timer setup, placement, and how to get the most out of your setup this season.
Why Use an Automatic Feeder for Hunting?
The goal of a hunting feeder isn't just to feed animals — it's to train them. When deer, hogs, or turkey hit a feeder at the same time every day, they build patterns. Those patterns put them in a predictable location at a predictable time, and that's when you're at your stand.
Studies on deer behavior show that automatic feeders with consistent schedules increase patterning predictability by up to 90%. That's not a coincidence — it's conditioning. The same applies to wild hogs, which are highly food-motivated and respond quickly to bait stations.
Animals You Can Target with an Automatic Feeder
Most hunters think of deer first, but the right automatic feeder setup works for a wide range of game:
- Whitetail deer — the most popular application in the US
- Wild hogs (feral pigs) — aggressive feeders, especially active at night
- Wild turkey — respond well to scattered grain on a timer
- Elk — in western states, pellet-based feeders for supplemental feeding
- Black bear — where baiting is legal, corn and grain attract bears effectively
- Raccoons, squirrels, and other small game — secondary visitors to any feeder
Always check your local and state hunting regulations before baiting. Deer baiting is legal in many states but restricted in others. Wild hog baiting regulations vary by state and land type.
Choosing the Right Timer: 12V vs. Conventional
The most important component of any automatic hunting feeder is the timer. Two main options dominate the market:
12V Battery Timer
The standard for hunting feeders. Runs on a 12-volt battery (or a 12V solar kit in remote locations), which means no power outlet needed. You can drop it miles into the woods, on a food plot edge, or in a swamp bottom and it will run reliably for months.
King of Feeders' automatic feeder with 12V timer was built exactly for this use case — motor-driven auger, programmable for up to 20 feed times per day, and compatible with any 12V battery system or solar kit.
Conventional (Plug-in) Timer
Best for hunting camps, ranch feeding stations, or setups near a structure with power. More reliable long-term for permanent installations.
WiFi Timer
Newer option — you control the feeder from your phone, check feed times, adjust schedules remotely. Useful when you're scouting from home and don't want to disturb the area by walking in to adjust the timer.
What Feed to Use — By Animal
| Animal | Best Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whitetail deer | Corn, protein pellets, soybeans | Corn in the East; protein pellets popular in Texas |
| Wild hogs | Corn (especially soured corn), grain | Sour corn by soaking for 2–3 days — the smell travels farther |
| Turkey | Corn, milo, wheat | Scatter on the ground near the feeder |
| Elk | Protein pellets, alfalfa pellets | Supplement feeding in winter |
| Bear | Corn, grain, sweetened bait | Where legal only |
Important for hogs: Wild hogs respond strongly to fermented and soured bait. Run your feeder at night (set timer for 10 PM – 2 AM) to hit peak hog activity and minimize deer competition.
Feeder Placement: Getting It Right
Placement determines whether your setup works or doesn't. Here's what experienced hunters consistently recommend:
Distance from Your Stand
- Bow hunting: Place feeder 35–50 yards from stand. Close enough for a confident shot, far enough to draw without being spotted.
- Rifle hunting: Push it to 100–150 yards. You have the range, and more distance means deer feel less exposed.
Wind
Always know your prevailing wind direction. Set your feeder so you are downwind of it — if deer or hogs smell you at the feeder, they won't return. No timer or feed will fix a bad wind setup.
Cover
Deer feel more comfortable approaching a feeder placed near or just inside a tree line rather than in an open field. If your feeder is in the open, give it time — it may take 2–3 weeks for deer to relax at the new location.
Don't Hunt Directly Over It
The old-school approach of sitting on top of the feeder works occasionally, but experienced hunters know a better strategy: hunt the trails to and from the feeder. Deer and hogs become cautious over time at the feeder itself. The approach trail is where they're moving naturally — and where they're less alert.
Setting Up Your Timer for Maximum Results
The goal is to condition animals to visit at a time when you can legally hunt. Recommended schedules:
For deer:
- Morning: 6:00 AM — 30 minutes before legal shooting light
- Evening: 4:30 PM — 1.5 hours before sunset
This gets deer moving toward the feeder as they naturally leave bedding cover, and keeps them in the area during your hunting window.
For wild hogs:
- Night: 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM
- Hogs are primarily nocturnal — use a night-vision or thermal setup if you're hunting after dark
Tip: Run the feeder at the same time every single day for at least 2 weeks before hunting. Consistency is what builds the pattern.
Solar vs. Battery: Which Power Setup for Remote Locations?
If your feeder is in a remote location without vehicle access, you have two main options:
Standard 12V Battery: Reliable, simple, low cost. A fully charged 12AH battery can run a 12V feeder motor (averaging 5–10 seconds per activation) for 3–6 months on a standard schedule. Check and recharge every 6–8 weeks.
Solar Kit: Best for permanent setups you don't want to revisit often. The solar panel trickle-charges the battery continuously, keeping it topped off year-round. Ideal for Texas, Florida, and other sun-heavy states. King of Feeders offers a complete solar kit that pairs directly with the feeder mechanism.
The Y-Splitter: Feed Two Locations from One Feeder
If you're managing a food plot or hunting multiple animals in the same area, the Y-Splitter attachment lets you run one feeder mechanism into two separate output tubes. Useful for:
- Spreading feed across a wider area to attract more deer
- Feeding to two entry points on a food plot
- Hog setups where you want to attract multiple animals simultaneously
Why King of Feeders?
King of Feeders builds heavy-duty automatic feeder mechanisms designed for real-world conditions — rain, heat, freezing temps, heavy grain loads. The auger system handles corn, protein pellets, grain, and mixed feed without jamming.
All orders ship from Florida, so you're getting fast US delivery without waiting weeks for overseas shipping.
Available configurations:
- Conventional timer feeder — plug-in, simple, reliable
- 12V battery-powered feeder — the go-to for remote hunting setups
- WiFi timer feeder — app control from anywhere
- Solar kit feeder — off-grid, no maintenance
- Y-Splitter add-on — two outputs from one feeder
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times a day should I run my deer feeder? Two times per day is the standard — once in the morning and once in the evening, timed to coincide with natural deer movement. Running it more often provides less incentive for deer to come at a specific time.
How long does it take for deer to start using a new feeder? Typically 1–3 weeks. Deer are cautious with new objects. Place the feeder, fill it, and leave the area alone. Don't hunt it until you've confirmed deer are using it regularly on a trail camera.
Can I use the same feeder for both deer and hogs? Yes, but they compete — and hogs often dominate a feeder once they find it. Many hunters run separate feeders for deer (daytime schedule) and hogs (nighttime schedule) in the same area.
What's the best feed for wild hogs? Corn — especially soured corn. Soak dried corn in water for 3–5 days until it begins to ferment. The strong smell carries much farther than fresh corn and attracts hogs from a wider area.
Do I need a trail camera with my feeder? A trail camera isn't required, but it's highly recommended. Checking your camera remotely (many models have WiFi or cellular) lets you confirm what's hitting the feeder and when, without disturbing the area before your hunt.
Is baiting deer legal in my state? Regulations vary widely. Baiting is legal in many southern states (Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia) and restricted or banned in others (Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Minnesota). Always verify with your state wildlife agency before setting up a bait station.
King of Feeders designs and manufactures heavy-duty automatic feeders for hunters, farmers, and ranchers. All products ship from Florida. Questions? Call or text us at +1 (347) 837-9193 — we're available via WhatsApp, SMS, and FaceTime.