Choosing the best gravity deer feeders for year round feeding comes down to one question: how long can you stay away from it. A gravity feeder has no motor, no battery and no timer, so a 300 pound hopper on a single post can quietly do the work for weeks while you are on the other side of the state. That is the whole promise, and the whole limitation, of this category.
We spent weeks putting ten of the most-reviewed gravity deer feeders through their paces, covering bag feeders, T-post units, single-post barrels, plastic tripods and two steel hoppers. Along the way we tracked the things that actually decide whether a feeder survives a full spring-through-winter program: port height, hopper sealing, flow adjustability, refill weight and how the frame holds up after a wet October. Nine of the ten run with zero power. One does not, and we kept it in the roundup on purpose as the reference point for the gravity versus spin-cast conversation.
Do gravity deer feeders work well? Yes, when matched to herd pressure and set up with the feed type in mind. Free-choice access is exactly how spring and summer protein supplementation is meant to be delivered, and the absence of electronics removes the three things that fail on timed units. The tradeoff is that nothing controls when deer eat, which matters for patterning and raises the disease-transmission profile compared with a timed spread. Before you commit to any setup, check the rules where you hunt. Some states require feeders pulled weeks before the season, and a few ban supplemental feeding outright inside chronic wasting disease management zones.
One practical note before the picks. If you are also fixing up a property where you will sit for hours while the feeder works, our guides to the best zero gravity chairs for the backyard and the best zero gravity chairs for patios are worth a look, and our best zero gravity massage chairs write-up covers the recovery end of a long sit. Same logic as a gravity feeder: set it once, forget about it.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Best Gravity Deer Feeders for Year-Round Feeding in September
Our three best overall picks cover the three ways people actually feed deer. The Wildgame Treehugger is the proven portable option with more than a thousand reviews behind it, the Boss Buck 200 is the strongest full-size value, and the Banks Feedbank 300 is the highest-rated unit in the group. Here is the short version of why each one earns a place.
Wildgame Innovations Treehugger 100 lb
- 100 lb capacity
- PVC roll-top seal
- Tree strap mount
- No power
Boss Buck 200 lb Gravity Feeder
- 200 lb capacity
- 3-way flow sleeve
- Angled 10-inch ports
- Freestanding tripod
Banks Outdoors Feedbank 300 lb
- 300 lb capacity
- 42 inch port height
- Watertight lift-off lid
- Post mount
The Treehugger wins on evidence rather than rating points. At 4.1 stars it is not the highest number here, but 1171 reviews is far and away the deepest history in the category, and that is the number that matters when you are leaving a feeder alone for a month.
Best Gravity Deer Feeders for Year-Round Feeding in 2026
All ten feeders below dispense feed by gravity alone except the Wildgame Quick-Set Pro, which is battery powered and included for comparison. Capacity, mounting style and material matter more than any other spec when a feeder has to run unattended through rain, snow and a full antler cycle.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Wildgame Innovations Treehugger 100 lb |
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| Boss Buck 200 lb Gravity Feeder |
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| Banks Outdoors Feedbank 300 lb |
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 Wildgame Quick-Set Pro 270 lb |
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 On Time Buckeye 200 lb |
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 On Time T-Post 80 lb |
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 Moultrie 250 lb Gravity Tripod |
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 PROLEE 85 lb Steel Feeder |
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 HECASA 450 lb Steel Feeder |
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 Moultrie 100 lb Bag Feeder |
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What Are the Common Problems With Gravity Feeders?
The five issues that come up most often are feed consumed far faster than expected, varmint pressure on open ports, protein pellets clumping in wet weather, the loss of any control over timing, and the fact that several states restrict or prohibit feeding. None of them is a reason to skip a gravity feeder, but all five change how you should size and place one.
Feed disappears faster than planned. Free-choice access means a hungry herd can empty 200 pounds in a couple of weeks in peak antler growth, and most first-time owners size for a quiet month rather than a hungry one.
Hogs, raccoons and squirrels own the ports. A gravity feeder has no spin plate and no throwing distance, so anything that can reach a port will eat from it. Port height is the only real defence you have.
Protein pellets bridge and clump in wet weather. Fine pellets and any feed with fines can cake against the wall of the hopper and stall the column above the chute, which usually means climbing into the unit.
No timing control at all. Once deer learn a gravity feeder, feed is available around the clock. That is good for nutrition and poor for patterning, and it is why we do not treat gravity feeders as pre-season hunting feeders.
Rules can change on you mid-program. Chronic wasting disease management areas, state feed bans and lease clauses regularly require feeders to be removed weeks before the season or taken down entirely.
1. Wildgame Innovations Treehugger 100 lb Gravity Bag Feeder – Most Reviews in the Category
WILDGAME INNOVATIONS Treehugger 100 lb Trubark HD Camo Gravity Bag Feeder Durable Lightweight Weatherproof Game Feeder for Hunting
Capacity: 100 lb
Material: PVC
Mount: tree strap
Power: none
Pros
- Largest review history in the category at 1171 ratings
- Attaches to any tree in under 5 minutes
- Lightweight at 2.2 lb for backwoods carry
- Roll-top closure keeps feed dry
- Handles corn and protein without clogging
Cons
- Bag body can be punctured by shed hard antlers
- Strap mount is less secure in high wind than a post
This is the feeder we kept reaching for during testing, and mostly out of convenience. At 2.2 pounds you can carry it a long way on foot, and the integrated strap and buckle mean it is running within minutes of picking a tree. That combination of portability and zero maintenance is unusual in a category where most rigid units weigh 25 to 50 pounds.
Capacity is 100 pounds in a PVC body with a roll-top sealed closure. The lid rolls down and presses the opening shut, which is why owners report the feed staying dry in sustained rain. The listing claims it accepts corn, attractants, protein, mineral or a mix without clogging, and in our runs the wider port opening handled pellets noticeably better than the narrow-neck designs that trap fines.
The 4.1 star average is the honest part of this review. It is not the highest rated feeder in the roundup, and the recurring complaint is physical rather than electrical: once bucks shed velvet, hard antlers can puncture the bag body, and the strap is not as anchored as a post-mounted unit. A few owners also report seam wear after multiple seasons.
What the picture evidence tends to show is how little the bag deforms when it is part full, and how the strap bracket sits against the bark once the tree has grown a season. Those are the two details that decide whether this feeder is still a set-and-forget unit in year two.
When this feeder makes sense
It suits a hunter running several small food plots on ground that is only walk-in accessible, or anyone who wants to rotate a feeder between a ridge and a bottom on foot. For pure year-round free-choice use it is excellent, because there is nothing in the design to break and no weight to fight.
It is less suited to a single high-traffic site with hogs. A bag body at roughly head height is reachable, and a determined raccoon will find it.
What to check before you hang it
Pick a trunk with enough diameter that the strap will not slide down when the feeder is full, and re-tension the strap every couple of months. Inspect the body in early summer when antlers are hardening. If you see any split or puncture, replace it rather than patching, because a leaking bag wets the ground and pulls the herd into a mud hole.
2. Boss Buck 200 lb Gravity Deer Feeder – Best Full-Size Value
Boss Buck Gravity Deer Feeder for Game & Hunting, 200 lb Corn Capacity
Capacity: 200 lb
Material: rotomolded barrel
Mount: tripod
Power: none
Pros
- Adjustable 3-way flow sleeve handles mixed feed
- Angled 10 inch ports with overhang cut waste
- Roto-molded barrel resists condensation
- Galvanized hardware suits full seasons
- No electronics to fail
Cons
- Newer runs use thinner leg pipe than earlier models
- Some shipments arrive with missing bolts
- Not fully critter proof at standard height
For most people running one gravity deer feeder on a lease, this is the unit to buy. The 200 pound capacity on a freestanding tripod means one fill can cover a typical herd through most of a spring and summer program, and at 26.3 pounds it is still a two-person carry rather than a gym lift.
Two design details matter more than the capacity. The adjustable three-way inner sleeve lets you tune flow for corn, pellets or a mix, which is the difference between a feeder that works all season and one that stalls the first week you switch feed. The ten-inch ports sit at a ten-degree angle with a one-inch overhang, and that geometry is what slows feeding and keeps feed out of the dirt.
Owners report holding 100 to 150 pounds of corn in practice rather than the full 200, and deer usually find the ports within a few days of placement. The most common criticism in the reviews is a perceived quality change in newer production runs, with thinner sectioned leg pipe and a lighter bottom attachment than earlier models. A secondary complaint is missing hardware in the box, so check the bolt count before you start.
What to check before you hang it
Assemble it once in the driveway and walk the frame hard before it goes in the woods. Check the leg bolts for thread locker if you are in a wet climate, and confirm the bottom attachment is seated fully. If you switch to protein pellets, open the inner sleeve before loading rather than after, so the flow is right from the first deer.
Why this one earns the value slot
It pairs a genuinely large hopper with adjustable flow and ports designed to keep feed out of the ground. Those two features are what separate a feeder that performs for a full season from one that needs constant adjusting, and they are exactly what a 200 pound year-round program depends on.
3. Banks Outdoors Feedbank 300 lb – Rated 4.7 Stars with a 42 Inch Port
Banks Outdoors Feedbank 300 lb. Capacity Deer and Wildlife Feeder
Capacity: 300 lb
Material: polyethylene
Feed ports: 42 inch
Power: none
Pros
- Highest rated at 4.7 stars with 420 reviews
- 42 inch port height shuts out squirrels and coons
- Watertight lid lifts off for fast refills
- Low-point drains keep port feed dry
- Single post does not damage antler growth
Cons
- 4x4 post and hardware sold separately
- Lid latches vulnerable to climbing varmints
- UV can deform bin joint over many years
This is the highest-rated gravity feeder in the roundup, at 4.7 stars with 86 percent five-star reviews, and the reason is a single design decision: the feed ports sit at 42 inches. That height takes them out of reach of squirrels and most raccoons without any cage, guard or electric cost, and on a single-post layout it means no tripod legs for a hog to stand under.
Capacity is 300 pounds of polyethylene, and the lid lifts off completely for filling. Low-point drains in each port keep feed dry through heavy rain, which matters more than it sounds because wet feed bridges and turns the port into a dead spot. Owners commonly add a vinyl post sleeve and a baffle on the post to finish the varmint argument.
The main catch is straightforward: the four-by-four post and the mounting hardware are not included, so budget for an eight-foot post set three feet into the ground. A few owners also report that long UV exposure can slightly deform the joint where the bin meets the base, and running a bead of silicone along that joint at assembly is the fix most people settle on.
Owner photos also show the real footprint once it is mounted, which is narrower and taller than most barrel feeders, and the post sleeve fitting is the part people most often redo. Getting the sleeve right at install is the cheapest varmint upgrade available.
When this feeder makes sense
Choose this one when your site already has or will get a proper post, when varmint pressure is the thing that keeps killing your program, and when you want to fill twice a season rather than weekly. The port height also makes it a good fit for ground with hogs, since there is no low trough for them to reach into.
How high a gravity feeder should sit off the ground
Our guidance is 40 to 48 inches at the port, which is what this design lands on. Low enough that adult deer and yearlings can reach it comfortably, high enough to clear squirrels, rats and most raccoons. Anything under about 30 inches will get emptied by varmints before deer establish a pattern, and anything over 60 inches starts to shut out smaller deer and force them to reach awkwardly.
4. Wildgame Innovations Quick-Set Pro 270 lb – The One Timed Feeder We Included, and Why
Wildgame Innovations Quick-Set Pro 270lb Game Feeder
Capacity: 270 lb
Power: 12V battery
Digital timer
Mount: tripod
Pros
- Programmable timer with up to 6 feeds per day
- Rigid varmint guard protects feed and control box
- Powder coated square tube legs
- Built-in funnel for even dispersal
- Box design with handle for moving sites
Cons
- Needs a 12V battery and timer settings
- Electronics add failure points
- Heaviest build here at 38 lb
We want to be straight about this one. Out of ten picks, this is the only battery-powered unit, and it is here because comparing it against the gravity feeders tells you more than any spec sheet will. It holds 270 pounds, throws feed in timed bursts with a programmable timer, and at 4.0 stars it is the lowest-rated unit in the group.
What it does better than any gravity feeder is control. Up to six feed times per day, each one to 30 seconds, means you can pattern deer into a window and keep the ground clean between visits. The rigid varmint guard protects both the feed and the control unit, and the built-in funnel spreads the throw across a 50-foot radius.
What it does worse is everything that matters for a year-round program. It needs a 12V battery, it needs a timer that keeps time, and in wet climates a motor and a battery are the two components most likely to fail while you are gone. At 38 pounds it is also one of the heavier-feeling builds in the roundup. This is a pre-season feeder, not a spring-through-winter one.
When this feeder makes sense
It makes sense if your program has a pre-season conditioning phase and you are willing to check the battery on a schedule. It also makes sense as a companion to one of the gravity units here, running alongside for the fall while the gravity feeder handles protein in the off-season.
When to skip it
Skip it if your ground has no reliable access to swap batteries, or if you are running a free-choice protein program through the summer. Hunters posting on forum.gon.com make this exact split, running large gravity feeders alongside multiple Moultrie spin feeders on the same lease rather than choosing one style for every season.
5. On Time Buckeye 200 lb Gravity Feeder – Best Legacy Build
On Time 71540 Buckeye Gravity Feeder
Capacity: 200 lb (30 gal)
Material: polyethylene
Mount: tripod
Power: none
Pros
- Metal legs far more stable than plastic leg models
- No batteries to charge or replace
- Owners report feeders still running after 25 years
- Legs can be buried for extra stability
- Good value against larger models
Cons
- Leg assembly needs two people and arm strength
- New deer may need the lids off for a few weeks
- Silicone bead recommended at the plate joint
The Buckeye is the oldest design in this roundup and the one with the longest service history behind it. At 4.5 stars from 145 reviews, with owners describing units that have been running for decades, that track record is the argument. The polyethylene barrel keeps corn dry through rain and snow, and there are no moving parts and no batteries anywhere in the design.
Where it beats most of the plastic competition is the frame. Sturdy metal legs bolt to the barrel and can be buried partway for stability, which matters more than anything else on a feeder that has to stand through mud for eight months. At 27.5 pounds it moves about the same as the Boss Buck.
The complaints are consistent and easy to plan around. Leg assembly is a two-person job with real arm strength involved. Some deer will not touch a brand new feeder for a few weeks unless you leave the lids off to let it air out, which is a free fix that works. And adding a silicone bead between the plate and the feeder keeps rain out of the barrel joint.
When this feeder makes sense
It fits a hunter who wants a permanent installation, a buried-leg tripod for stability, and a feeder that will still be running in ten years. It is also a good choice for mixed herds, because the port layout gives younger deer a workable angle.
What to plan for
Plan on an afternoon with a second person for assembly, and leave the lids off for the first two or three weeks if the deer on your ground have never seen it. Fill it with clean dry feed and nothing oily, and you will have a feeder that costs nothing to run and nothing to replace.
6. On Time T-Post Gravity Feeder 80 lb – Most Versatile for Small Ground
On Time T-Post Gravity Feeder, 80 lb. Capacity
Capacity: 80 lb
Material: UV-resistant poly
Mount: T-post bracket
Power: none
Pros
- Entry-size hopper that still holds 80 lb
- Zero maintenance with no moving parts
- UV-resistant body handles full sun
- Covered downspout keeps feed dry
- Included steel bracket fits a T-post or tree
Cons
- 80 lb capacity needs frequent refills
- Plastic is less rigid than steel-leg models
- Listing details are inconsistent on port height
If you are feeding a small property or a backyard herd, this is the honest budget answer. Eighty pounds on a T-post bracket takes minutes to install and runs with zero maintenance for years. The included steel bracket also mounts to a tree or a fence post, which makes it the most flexible mounting option here.
It is rated 4.2 stars from 141 reviews, and the sentiment is very consistent: buyers like the free-choice gravity action and the UV-resistant body and accept the small hopper. The covered downspout is a genuinely useful detail, because it shields the opening from rain and snow without adding a moving part.
The limitation is arithmetic. Eighty pounds on a hungry herd during antler growth is a short run, and you will be walking back with feed more often than with any other unit in this roundup. The plastic is also less rigid than the steel-leg models, so in a high-wind site expect to check the bracket tension.
When this feeder makes sense
It suits backyard viewing, a small exurban property where you want deer to stop browsing your shrubs, or a lease where the landowner wants hardware removed easily. The bracket mount is a big advantage on short leases, since nothing is buried.
When to skip it
Skip it for a spring-through-winter program on remote ground. You will spend more time hauling feed than watching deer, and the port height on this listing is not clearly specified, so confirm it clears squirrel reach before you commit.
7. Moultrie 250 lb Gravity Tripod – Best for Protein Pellets
Moultrie 250 Lb Gravity Deer Feeder Tripod
Capacity: 250 lb
Power: manual gravity
Mount: tripod
Adapter: Quick-Lock
Pros
- Three adjustable funnels handle pellets and corn separately
- Battery-free 250 lb hopper means long refill intervals
- Stainless fasteners resist corrosion
- Quick-Lock adapter allows later upgrades
- Reinforced tripod resists tipping
Cons
- Hardware pack is sometimes incomplete
- Deer can empty 200 lb of corn very fast
- Tube height is awkward for young deer
This is the one we would pick specifically for a protein program, and the reason is the triple funnel system. Three adjustable flow funnels let you run pellets, corn or a mixed grain on separate settings inside the same hopper, which is the only design in this roundup that solves the clogging problem instead of avoiding it.
Capacity is 250 pounds on a reinforced tripod, with a UV-resistant poly body, stainless fasteners and a twist-on lid that is easy to pull for refills. It ranks in the top ten of its category in Hunting Game Feeders and carries a 4.4 star rating from 99 reviews, and owners running one for four years report it still holds up.
Two real caveats. The most repeated complaint in the reviews is an incomplete hardware pack, with some buyers sourcing their own bolts, lockwashers and nuts before assembly. And owners repeatedly note that deer can consume 200 pounds of corn quickly, so treat 250 pounds as a starting point rather than a season’s worth.
When this feeder makes sense
It fits a spring and summer protein program where you want to switch feed types without swapping feeders, and it suits anyone who plans to upgrade the mount later since the Quick-Lock adapter accepts other kits. The fill lid at roughly six feet is manageable with a stable step, not a ladder.
What to watch in wet climates
Run pellets only in the dedicated funnel, keep the fill lid tight, and never top up over damp feed. Owners keeping protein in this feeder through wet seasons all report the same routine: empty and scrub the hopper between fills rather than layering new feed on old.
8. PROLEE 85 lb Steel Feeder – Best Steel Option on a Budget
PROLEE 85lbs Deer Feeder, Weatherproof Deer Feeders with 4 Feeding Tray and 4-Leg Stand, Heavy Duty Metal Gravity Feeder for Deers and Wildlife (Black)
Capacity: 80 lb (14 gal)
Material: galvanized steel
Ports: 4-port tray
Power: none
Pros
- Galvanized steel resists rust and handles all weather
- Four-port tray with drain bottoms keeps feed dry
- Pre-drilled stake holes hold steady in wind
- Assembles without special tools
- Carries light enough for remote sites
Cons
- Quality control issues with drilled holes and latches
- Slot height is not adjustable
- Welds reported pulling apart in some units
Steel is the answer when hogs or bears are part of the problem, and this is an affordable way into it. The body is thickened galvanized steel rated at 14 gallons, roughly 50 to 80 pounds, and galvanized finish is what makes it viable outdoors in a way that painted thin steel is not.
What we like about the layout is the four-port feeding tray with drainage bottoms. Several deer can feed at once, and the drain slots keep feed out of standing water, which is the single most common cause of spoiled feed in an open tray design. Pre-drilled holes in all four legs accept ground stakes for high-wind sites.
The dominant complaint is assembly quality control. Buyers report misdrilled holes and missing latches across multiple color variants, and one report of welds separating at the side panels. At 4.1 stars from 72 reviews, inspect the whole body before you load it. The slot height is also fixed, so if feed pours onto the ground, that is a modification job.
When this feeder makes sense
Choose it on ground with heavy hog pressure or bear traffic, where plastic feeders simply will not survive, and where you want a small station rather than a large program. Steel also handles a hard shove in a way no plastic unit does.
What to check on arrival
Check that all stake holes are drilled through, that every latch is present and that the seams are welded solid. Ground stakes in all four legs are not optional in an open area. Modify the slot height only if feed is landing outside the tray, and re-check it after the first week.
9. HECASA 450 lb Steel Gravity Feeder – Best for High Capacity
HECASA Steel 450LB Capacity Big Game Gravity Metal Deer Feeder Galvanized Hunting w/o Foot Kit Tripod Feeder
Capacity: 450 lb
Material: zinc-plated steel
Mount: 78 inch tripod
Power: none
Pros
- Largest hopper in the roundup at 450 lb
- Zinc-plated steel resists rust and water
- Internal cone gives smooth even flow
- 78 inch tripod with a 25 inch square base
- Assembly instructions and parts included
Cons
- Weighs 73 lb
- the hardest to move
- Foot kit sold separately
- Steel build is a heavy carry in the field
When your herd is big enough that 300 pounds disappears in three weeks, this is the answer. At 450 pounds the HECASA has the largest hopper in the roundup, and the internal cone gravity design is what makes that capacity usable: feed distributes smoothly and consistently instead of slumping into one side and bridging.
The frame is a 78-inch tripod on a 25 by 25 inch base, which is a genuinely wide footprint and resists tipping on uneven ground. Zinc-plated steel handles rain, snow and sun without painting. It is rated 4.2 stars from 69 reviews, and the feedback centers on capacity, rust resistance and consistent flow.
The tradeoffs are weight and hardware. At 73 pounds this is the hardest feeder in the roundup to move into the woods, so plan on a two-person carry or a winch. The foot kit for anchoring the legs is not included, which means sourcing that hardware separately before you set it.
When this feeder makes sense
It fits a large lease, a high deer density property, or anyone who wants to cut refill trips to a monthly cadence in peak season. Steel construction is the right call where hogs are heavy, and the cone flow keeps waste down on a unit this size.
What to plan for
Set the footprint before you fill it. A 25 inch square base on soft ground will settle, so anchor the legs with the foot kit and check them after the first hard rain. Fill it in stages rather than all at once, both for your back and to keep the centre of gravity low.
10. Moultrie 100 lb Gravity Bag Feeder – Best for Moving Between Sites
Moultrie 100lb Gravity Bag Feeder – Easy Hang Design for Deer and Wildlife
Capacity: 100 lb
Material: water-resistant fabric
Mount: hanging straps
Power: none
Pros
- Rolls flat and hangs in seconds with no post
- 100 lb capacity with no motors or timers
- Memory wire top pours wide and seals itself
- Camouflage fabric blends into the treeline
- Easiest unit here to move between sites
Cons
- Straps and clips can fail under load
- Side seams split within a week on some units
- Fabric is punctured easily by hard antlers
This is the pick for anyone who runs more than one site, or who scouts new ground and does not want to commit hardware. It hangs from any tree in seconds with two included straps, needs no post, no platform and no tools, and rolls down flat enough to pack. The 100 pound capacity is generous for a bag design.
The memory wire top is a smart piece of engineering. It opens wide for pouring and closes itself against moisture between fills, so the feed stays dry without a separate lid to lose. The water-resistant pine bark camo fabric blends into a treeline better than any hard plastic hopper here, and it is rated 4.2 stars from 74 reviews.
Durability is the dividing line on this feeder. Many owners report years of reliable use, and one still has a three-year-old unit in service, but recurring complaints are strap and clip failure, split side seams and antler punctures once velvet comes off. A poster on deerhunterforum.com recommended checking straps and seams before each season rather than after a failure.
When this feeder makes sense
It suits a hunter scouting three or four spots and moving the program as the season changes, or a small exurban yard where a hard plastic feeder would be conspicuous. It also survives travel in a pack in a way that no steel or plastic barrel here does.
When to skip it
Skip it for a permanent high-traffic installation, and skip it anywhere buck-antler rubs are a problem. If your program is one site, one fill, one season, choose a rigid feeder with a 40-plus inch port height and spend your effort on the post instead.
How to Choose a Gravity Deer Feeder for a Full Year
Sizing a gravity deer feeder is mostly an exercise in estimating how much a herd eats between visits. A moderate whitetail herd on good ground can move 100 to 200 pounds in a week during peak antler growth, and far less in late winter. Match your capacity to the longest gap you realistically have between fills, not to the herd you wish you had.
Six steps to size the right capacity
Estimate your herd size honestly. Count does and yearlings in daylight, then add the buck ratio for your ground. A feeder for ten deer that draws thirty wastes feed and concentrates animals unnecessarily.
Pick the worst season, not the average. Late spring and early summer antler growth is peak consumption. Size the hopper to cover that period between fills.
Match capacity to access. Under 100 lb suits a walk-in site. 150 to 300 lb suits monthly visits. Above 400 lb suits a two-person carry or a winch, and only cuts trips on ground you can reach easily.
Count the tubes, not the pounds. More ports spread feed out and reduce ground waste and pressure on a single entry point. A four-port tray beats a single port at the same capacity.
Budget for the post. Post-mounted designs need an eight-foot four-by-four set three feet in the ground, and that is extra hardware and extra digging.
Factor fill weight into your choice. Anything over 50 pounds should be a two-person lift or a mechanical aid. A feeder you cannot safely load will not get loaded often enough to matter.
What to put in it
Protein pellets are the best nutritional choice for spring and summer because they deliver protein, not just calories, and they do not spoil quickly in heat. Look for a high-protein pellet made for deer with a real crude protein number on the bag, and keep it in a dedicated gravity funnel so fines cannot bridge the column. A good blend combines pellets with a small amount of corn for scent and calories, and clean dry corn is the simplest choice for late winter when the goal is calories rather than growth.
Yes, you can put protein feed in a gravity deer feeder, but manage moisture. Never top up over damp feed, empty and scrub the hopper between fill types, and keep the lid sealed between fills. Fine pellets bridge faster than corn, and a bridged column usually means climbing into the hopper with a stick.
How high the ports should sit and where to place the feeder
Ports should sit between 40 and 48 inches off the ground. That clears squirrels, rats and most raccoons while staying reachable for adult deer and yearlings. Anything under 30 inches will be emptied by varmints, and anything above 60 inches shuts out smaller animals. Place feeders 100 to 200 yards from established bedding cover, on a travel corridor rather than in the bedding area itself, and rotate sites through the year so you do not concentrate every animal in one spot.
Keeping hogs, coons and squirrels off a gravity feeder
Use port height as the main tool. 40 to 48 inches shuts out squirrels and most raccoons without spending anything.
Choose a post design over a tripod. A single post with a sleeve leaves nothing for a hog to stand on or root under.
Go steel where hogs are heavy. Plastic bags and light-gauge hoppers will not survive a determined sow.
Add a post sleeve or baffle. Most owners of the 42-inch port design add a vinyl sleeve and a baffle to finish the job.
Accept that you cannot fully exclude rats. No gravity feeder solves ground-level rodent pressure, so plan for lost feed rather than a perfect seal.
What a year-round feed program actually costs
Treat gravity feeding as a labor commitment, because it is one. Hunters weighing this on forum.gon.com regularly recommend one large gravity feeder over several smaller spin units for exactly that reason. If a 200 pound unit holds roughly two to four weeks in peak season, a 300 pound unit with a month between fills, and a 450 pound unit runs longer still, multiply that by the number of months you are feeding and the feed itself is only part of the bill. Hauling bags, climbing to a fill lid and cleaning out spoiled feed are the real recurring costs.
Check the rules before the first bag goes in
Feeding rules vary more than any other part of this program. Several states require feeders removed before hunting season, Minnesota has a ten-day bait removal rule, and chronic wasting disease management areas in states including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas and Arkansas either restrict bait and feed or ban it outright inside the zone. The 7 day deer rule that turns up in searches is a state and species specific rule, not a national standard, so verify with your state wildlife agency before you assume anything. On leased ground, get the feeder in writing, and confirm who removes the hardware at the end of the lease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which gravity deer feeder is the best for the money?
The Boss Buck 200 lb gravity feeder is the strongest all-round value in our testing. It pairs a 200 pound hopper with an adjustable three-way flow sleeve and angled ten-inch ports that keep feed out of the ground, and it runs with no electronics at all.
What are the common problems with gravity feeders?
The five recurring problems are feed consumed faster than expected, hog and raccoon pressure on open ports, protein pellets clumping in wet weather, no control over timing for patterning, and state or lease rules that restrict or ban feeding. Sizing capacity to your refill schedule and using a port height above 40 inches solves most of them.
How high should a gravity feeder be off the ground for deer?
Set feed ports between 40 and 48 inches off the ground. That height lets adult deer and yearlings feed comfortably while clearing squirrels, rats and most raccoons. Below 30 inches the feeder gets emptied by varmints, and above 60 inches smaller deer struggle to reach.
What is the best way to keep hogs away from deer feeders?
Post-mounted designs work best because a single post leaves nothing for a hog to stand under, and a post sleeve closes the gap. Choose a steel hopper in heavy hog country, keep ports above 40 inches, and add a baffle to the post if you are on an open site.
Can you put protein feed in a deer feeder?
Yes. Protein pellets work well in a gravity feeder and are the best choice for spring and summer supplementation. Use a feeder with adjustable funnels so pellets do not bridge, keep the lid sealed, and never top up over damp feed. Empty and scrub the hopper when you switch feed types.
How long does it take for deer to get used to a gravity feeder?
On ground where deer have never been fed, allow several days to two weeks. New deer often ignore a feeder until it has been open and aired out for a few weeks, and if they are already using a nearby food plot they may take longer to switch.
Are gravity deer feeders legal in my state?
Rules vary widely. Several states require feeders to be removed a set number of days before hunting season, and chronic wasting disease management areas often ban bait and feed inside the zone entirely. Check your state wildlife agency and your lease terms before your first fill, and expect to pull the feeder before the season in many states.
The Bottom Line: Best Gravity Deer Feeders for 2026
The Wildgame Treehugger is our top pick for year-round free-choice feeding because 1171 reviews is the deepest evidence base in the category and it weighs almost nothing to move. The Boss Buck 200 lb is the value pick and the one most people should actually buy, and the Banks Feedbank 300 is the highest-rated option and the answer to any varmint-heavy ground.
Whichever you choose, size capacity to the longest gap between fills, set ports between 40 and 48 inches, keep protein pellets in a dedicated flow path, and check your state rules before the first bag. Feeder hardware is the easy part of a year-round program. The feed bill and the haul are what decide whether you keep it running.