Moultrie Deer Feeder vs Wildgame Innovations Which Is Better

Moultrie Deer Feeder vs Wildgame Innovations. Which Is Better.

If you want the short answer, I pick Moultrie for reliability and easier parts support, and I pick Wildgame Innovations if you are trying to spend the least money and can babysit it more..

I have seen both put corn on the ground, but I have also watched both fail at the worst time, and one fails in a way I can fix in the field..

I started hunting whitetail with my dad in southern Missouri when I was 12, and I grew up too broke for fancy stuff.

Now I split my time between a 65-acre lease in Pike County, Illinois and public land in the Missouri Ozarks, and I still hate wasting money.

Decide Why You Are Running a Feeder Before You Pick a Brand.

If you are trying to hold deer on a small place, you need consistency more than you need “more corn.”.

If you are trying to pull a buck in daylight, forget the feeder as a magic button and focus on pressure, wind, and where the does live.

When I am trying to time deer movement, I check feeding times first because a feeder does not override their clock.

This connects to what I wrote about how deer behave in wind because a feeder that runs in a bad wind spot just educates deer.

If You Hate Breakdown Days, Pick the Feeder With Better Parts and Fewer Weird Failures.

Here is what I do on any feeder setup, no matter the brand.

I carry a spare spinner plate, a spare motor, a 7/16 wrench, extra cotter pins, and a cheap multimeter in my truck.

I learned the hard way that a “simple” feeder becomes complicated fast when you are 350 yards from the road with 42 pounds of tools.

On public land in the Missouri Ozarks I do not run feeders at all, but I still help buddies with theirs on private, and the same failure points show up every year.

Moultrie. My Take After Watching Them Run and Watching Them Quit.

Moultrie usually wins on the stuff nobody talks about, like how easy it is to get replacement parts and how the wiring holds up.

My buddy in southern Iowa swears by Wildgame because it was $60 cheaper, but I have found Moultrie is cheaper after two seasons of not replacing little junk.

Here is what I do if I buy a Moultrie kit.

I upgrade to a better battery on day one, and I seal every connection with dielectric grease and heat shrink.

I wasted money on $400 ozone scent control that made zero difference, so now I spend that money on boring stuff like batteries and straps.

That boring stuff fills tags.

Back in November 2019 in Pike County, Illinois, I killed my biggest buck, a 156-inch typical, on a morning sit after a cold front.

That buck did not come to corn, but the feeder kept does using the area, and that kept him checking it.

If you are new to deer basics, it helps to know what you are actually feeding and attracting, so I point people to what a male deer is called and what a female deer is called because management talk gets confusing fast.

It also helps to understand how smart deer are because a feeder in the wrong spot can make them pattern you instead.

Wildgame Innovations. Cheaper Up Front, but You Need to Be Honest About Maintenance.

Wildgame Innovations can work fine, and I have seen plenty of them throw feed for years.

The tradeoff is you are more likely to end up tinkering, and that is not fun two days before your vacation week.

Here is what I do if I run a Wildgame Innovations unit.

I keep the spin time shorter, I keep the feed level higher, and I check it more often so it does not run dusty and cloggy.

I learned the hard way that “set it and forget it” is how you end up with a dead battery, wet corn, and raccoon tracks everywhere.

And if you are hunting a tight property like parts of Kentucky, forget about fancy timers and focus on keeping raccoons from owning your feeder site.

Timers and Electronics. This Is Where I See the Biggest Real Difference.

I care about two things, consistent throw times and consistent throw distance.

If a timer drifts or glitches, deer notice fast, and you end up hunting an empty spot.

In East Texas I have dealt with long seasons and feeders everywhere, and the deer learn what a truck door sounds like.

That is why I want a feeder I can trust to run without me babysitting it twice a week.

Here is what I do on timer settings.

I start at 2 throws a day at 4 seconds each, then I adjust based on how fast the feed disappears and how many non-target critters show up.

When I am placing the feeder, this connects to what I wrote about deer habitat because a feeder on the wrong edge is just a raccoon dinner bell.

Battery Life. Pick the Setup That Matches How Often You Can Check It.

If you can only check a feeder every 10 to 14 days, you need a strong battery and a solar panel that actually keeps up.

If you can check it every 3 to 5 days, you can get away with more budget gear.

Here is what I do for power.

I run a 12V 7Ah or 12V 12Ah sealed lead acid battery, and I replace it before it “needs” it, usually every 18 to 24 months.

My buddy swears by cheap Amazon solar panels, but I have found many of them stop charging after one wet spring.

If you are hunting the Missouri Ozarks and you are setting anything near thick cover, forget about a tiny solar panel in the shade and focus on battery capacity.

Rain, Wet Feed, and Mold. Decide If You Want to Fight This All Season.

Rain turns a feeder into a science project if the lid leaks or the barrel sweats.

I have hunted Buffalo County, Wisconsin hill country where weather changes fast, and wet corn problems show up even on “good” setups.

Here is what I do to cut down on wet feed.

I drill two small drain holes at the lowest point, I keep the lid strapped tight, and I never dump old dusty corn on top of fresh corn.

This connects to what I wrote about where deer go when it rains because they often shift beds, and a feeder site can go dead for a day or two after hard weather.

Raccoons, Hogs, and Bears. Pick the Brand That Lets You Add Protection Fast.

Raccoons are the number one reason guys think their feeder “doesn’t throw.”.

Hogs are the number one reason guys quit feeders in parts of Texas.

Here is what I do to protect a feeder site.

I hang it higher than feels comfortable, I use a varmint guard cone, and I clear brush so I can see what is working it on camera.

I process my own deer in the garage, taught by my uncle who was a butcher, so I do not like feeding raccoons that later show up in my trash too.

Cost. Do Not Compare Sticker Price Without Adding Repairs and Time.

Moultrie usually costs more up front, and Wildgame Innovations usually looks like the deal.

The mistake is acting like your time has no value.

Back in 2007 I gut shot a doe, pushed her too early, never found her, and I still think about it.

That taught me I hate avoidable mistakes, and cheap gear that fails creates avoidable mistakes.

Here is what I do with feeder budgets.

I buy fewer things and buy the ones I can keep running, just like my $35 climbing sticks I have used for 11 seasons.

If you want another low-cost angle, this connects to what I wrote about an inexpensive way to feed deer because feed sites are not the only option.

My Quick Rule of Thumb

If you can only check your feeder every 10 to 14 days, buy Moultrie and run a fresh 12V battery with a real solar panel..

If you see corn dust, wet clumps, and raccoon tracks at noon, expect the feeder to clog and deer to start showing up after dark..

If conditions change to heavy rain and 35-degree nights, switch to shorter throws and check the lid seal before you add more corn..

My Specific Product Experience. What Broke, What Worked, and What I Would Buy Again.

I am not a guide or an outfitter, and I do not get paid to pretend I love everything.

I have burned money on gear that did not work before learning what actually matters.

I have used Moultrie feeder components where the main win was simple field fixes.

I can usually find a replacement motor or spinner locally, and that matters during gun week.

I have also dealt with Wildgame Innovations setups that ran fine until the battery tray or wiring got corroded.

That is not always the brand’s fault, but it is the reality of sitting outside all year.

Placement Beats Brand. Do Not Put Either Feeder in the Wrong Spot.

A feeder does not fix bad access, bad wind, and bad entry noise.

It just makes deer associate that bad stuff with the one spot you want to hunt.

Here is what I do for placement on my Pike County lease.

I put the feeder 60 to 90 yards off the main bedding edge, not inside it, and I set my stand to hunt the trail, not the pile.

When you want a clean kill shot, this connects to what I wrote about where to shoot a deer to drop it in its tracks because feeder shots can tempt people into bad angles.

I hunt 30 plus days per year, and I still pass shots if the angle is wrong.

FAQ

Is Moultrie or Wildgame Innovations better for a small 40 to 80 acre property?

Moultrie is my pick if you want it to run without you hovering, especially on a small place where pressure matters.

Wildgame works if you can check it often and you accept more tinkering.

How far from my stand should I place a feeder for bowhunting?

I like 20 to 30 yards for a controlled broadside shot, but I do not aim at the feeder itself.

I aim to cover the downwind trail that deer use to scent check the site.

What is the biggest mistake people make with deer feeders?

They overfeed and create a nighttime pattern, then they hunt it hard and blow it up.

I learned the hard way that pressure ruins more feeder hunts than any battery ever did.

Do deer get conditioned to a feeder schedule?

Yes, especially does, and bucks follow that during parts of the season.

If you want to understand why bucks show up when they do, read my breakdown of deer mating habits because rut timing changes everything.

Should I run a feeder during the rut or turn it off?

I keep it running, but I hunt sign and doe bedding first, not the corn.

In Pike County I have watched mature bucks ignore a feeder at 9 a.m. and cruise a downwind ridge instead.

Can a feeder help me recover a deer after the shot?

It can keep deer using an area, but it will not fix bad tracking choices.

If you do make a bad hit, start with my steps on how to field dress a deer after recovery, because clean work begins the second you put hands on the animal.

What I Would Buy Today If It Was My Money.

If I had $300 to $700 to spend and I only get to check it every other weekend, I would buy Moultrie..

If I had $150 to $350 to spend and I can check it every 3 to 5 days, I would run Wildgame Innovations and keep spare parts on hand..

That is the real split for me, not brand loyalty.

I am a bow guy first, and a feeder is just another tool, not the hunt.

Make This One Decision. Are You the “Set It and Forget It” Guy or the “Tinker” Guy.

If you hate messing with gear, do not buy the cheapest unit and then act shocked when it needs love.

If you do not mind tinkering, Wildgame can be a solid way to keep corn hitting the dirt without draining your wallet.

Here is what I do when I am honest with myself.

I match the feeder to how often my life lets me check it, not to what looks cool in the aisle.

Back in November 1998 in Iron County, Missouri, I killed my first deer, an 8-point buck, with a borrowed rifle.

I did not have a feeder, and I still learned quick that time in the woods beats gear every year.

Do Not Let a Feeder Make You Lazy About Scouting.

The mistake is sitting a feeder because it is “the spot,” even when the woods tells you the deer shifted.

If you are hunting thick stuff like the Missouri Ozarks, deer can move 120 yards and vanish like smoke.

Here is what I do once a week in season.

I check tracks, fresh droppings, and the first 30 yards of trails leaving the site, not just the camera pictures.

When I am trying to judge what kind of deer is actually using the area, I refer back to how much a deer weighs because weight clues can tell you if you are mostly feeding young deer or mature does.

When a buddy gets worried about deer getting “too used” to a site, I point him to how smart deer are because deer learn patterns, but they also tolerate a lot if you stop pressuring them.

My Last Warning. Do Not Shoot the First Bad Angle Just Because It Is “At the Feeder.”

A feeder makes deer stop, turn, and quarter in weird ways.

The tradeoff is you get more chances, but you also get more bad chances.

I learned the hard way that rushing a shot can cost you sleep for years.

In 2007 I gut shot a doe, pushed her too early, never found her, and I still think about it.

Here is what I do now.

I pick one or two exact lanes where I will shoot, and if they are not in that lane, I do not loose an arrow.

If you want to tighten that up, this connects to where to shoot a deer to drop it in its tracks

If you are hunting a straight-wall or shotgun-only zone like parts of Ohio, forget about long poke feeder shots and focus on a clean broadside inside 120 yards.

Keep It Simple. My Exact Checklist Before I Trust Any Feeder.

I do not care if it says Moultrie or Wildgame on the box if it is set up sloppy.

Bad setup makes good gear look bad.

Here is what I do the day I hang it.

I level it, I tighten every bolt twice, I tie off the lid, and I put a dab of dielectric grease on every connection.

Here is what I do the first week it runs.

I run it for 4 seconds, I watch the throw pattern, and I look for feed hitting legs, straps, or brush that will cause jams.

If I want to know what deer are likely doing around it during weather swings, I check where deer go when it rains because big rain can change which side of the ridge they bed on.

My Personal Wrap Up. What Matters More Than the Logo.

Moultrie is the brand I trust when I cannot be there, and I want parts I can get quick.

Wildgame Innovations is the brand I respect for getting a guy into the feeder game without taking out a loan, as long as he accepts more checking and more fixing.

I am not a pro staff guy, and I am not trying to sell you a story.

I am just a guy that hunts 30 plus days a year, processes his own deer in the garage, and got tired of gear failures stealing my hunts.

If you do your part on placement, access, and pressure, either one can help you hold deer.

If you do not, both brands will make the same sound, and it will be raccoons eating your corn at 1 a.m.