Location

• If you plan to use the deer feeder to attract animals for observation or photography, you can build the feeder much closer to your house (and other buildings). If you are using the feeder to attract game for hunting, you must put the feeder far from any buildings, since you will be firing guns (or shooting arrows) in the immediate vicinity. Moreover, hunting is illegal on most residential land. But even if you're only planning to watch the deer, make sure the feeder is not too close to your house. Having a view from the living room window is nice, but ordinary home-area activity, especially in a neighborhood, is likely to spook deer that might be coming to feed.
  
  

Construction

• The simplest deer feeders can be built with a PVC pipe and joint, and are effective with corn and similar grain. More complex models allow the deer to trigger the release of feed themselves, but such complexities are not required. Unless you are planning to use carrots, apples or other such large items, the PVC model is simple and effective. The PVC feeder consists of a four-to-five foot PVC pipe, four inches wide, with a 45-degree joint at the bottom end, secured to a tree or other stable object. Even if you plan to use larger fruits or vegetables, you can cut them into one inch-sized pieces and use them with the PVC model feeder.
  
  

Feed

• The type of food you choose for your deer feeder can depend on the area where you live. Deer in different habitats eat different foods. Midwestern deer, living near farms, eat beans and corn in addition to browsing from the trees, while deer further west tend to eat more grass and sage. No matter where you live, however, corn is a safe bet. A salt lick next to the feeder also is sure to attract animals, although using salt licks as bait is illegal in some places, so check your local laws.