some places you will see animals all year, just because they are habitual i think. i know people that run them all year and they have deer, hogs, and turkey all year. i think they know its a guarantee and they always show. if there isn't a better more consistent source then they might come back even thru the summer. im sure opinions will vary and it may be different for different areas. some areas the hogs know when the dinner bell goes off and i think they are almost 'trained' or conditioned to the feeders.
The only time I see them completely abandon feeders is during the acorn season. Nothing you can do about it then as that is THE preferred food source. One thing you can do different...Get a bag of high protein goat feed from Tractor supply and a bag of deer protein pellets. They will flat tear it up. Anything you can do a little different than your neighbor may be the ticket sometimes to draw them int your spot
I run my feeder year round, I have deer, turkeys, and hogs every morning and evening. Even get a mess of dove and tree rats too. The only slowdown I see is during the peak of the day in summer, but it's just miserable hot out then.
i have noticed that my gravity feeders last longer during the summer. Lots more of natural browse. think of corn like chocolate cake. You might really like it, but if there is other things to eat, do you want to eat just chocolate cake?? summertime i mix my feeders 50/50 corn and deer pellets.
I don't see any reason to feed deer all year long,they usually find it within a week so I just save my money.Wher I hunt the hogs will move in overnight and take over too.
