It is probably just a matter of opinion. I would not use hog or livestock panels around feeders. I have seen them used. Sometimes they scare the deer some. I've even seen where a doe got her leg hung in one and died. It could happen with any fencing material though. I use  4 strands of barbed wire where it will keep the cows out but allow the deer to step thru it. A deer will crawl under or step thru a fence, if they can, before jumping one.

As far as when to start feeding, again that's an opinion also. If  I were you I would go ahead and start by the first of August if you bowhunt or the first of September if you gun hunt.

BBD! 

BBD! Shane

I agree with Shane on the panels. At times they can do more harm than good. You can go with anywhere from 3 to 5 strands of barbed wire. The main thing to consider is wire tension. Make sure it's on good posts and pretty tight.

As far as the feeder goes. It's been my experience that 90 days from the start of whatever season you are hunting is a good rule of thumb. That gives the deer, and any other animal you might be interested in hunting, time to get accustomed to the feeder going off and what it means when it does.

"Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can" Git-R-Done!

I have used hog panels, barbed wire, and no feed pen at all. All have worked fine for me. All three setups there were cows on the ranch. Pens made of  hog panels are what we are currently using because there are goats on the ranch, The pens are probably 20ft.x20ft. being the smallest and 30ft.x 30ft. being the biggest. They work just fine with the whitetail and exotics. Where I have used barbed wire, I made it just big enough to keep the cows from reaching the feeder. The deer could just step through the wire, but the feeder also threw out past the wire. Where I didn't use feed pens, I just anchored the feeder legs to the ground really good. Also had really good squirrel cages around the thrower so that the cows couldn't nudge them and damage them. Never had them knocked down. As far as when to start feeding I think it depends on where you hunt. In the hill country deer seem to be more acclimated to feeders. For example last year we set up a feeder on a creek bed just below our cabin. Literally 2hrs. later there was a Sika doe feeding under it. I've hunted other parts of the state where the deer never would come to the feeders. Most of the time I feed year round, If I didn't I would usually go up labor day weekend and get the feeders going. I hope this helps, good luck this season.

No matter what material you use around your feeder make sure there is a big enough space for the deer to feel comfortable jumping the fence into the pen. I setup 4 tposts about a month ago and the cattle knocked it down because I didn't put it far enough in the ground. I went back and drove them way down in and they've been doing great now. I only put up two strands of barbwire but made sure it was real tight. I'd go for the 90 days out too. I'd rather be safe then sorry. I think it takes the deer time to realize the feeders going off every day at specific times and for them to start patterning coming to it and feeling comfortable. Keep us posted what you decide to do.

Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

Here is a photo of my last one.

Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

One other thing to consider is that hogs won't be able to come into feed if you use cattle panels. Whether you want them to or not will help you make your decision.

Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

Thanks guys for all the advice. I like the 90 day rule on feeding but I'm still not sure about the fencing yet. Allen I will also use your advice on making sure to put the poles deep enough so they don't get knocked down. One last thing , does anyone have any pictures of a hog pannel set up ?