[nontypical]

Thinking of buying or building one. My gravity feeders are costing me almost $200 a month. Any suggestions? My main concern is tree rats and racoons. I know they can empty these out to. My buddy has a varmit buster on his and seems happy. Any of you use automatic feeders?

 

[jason7655]

I just bought the 40 gal remington on sale at Academy.

My BIL said he filled his up at the beginning of season and it just now ran out.

The real difference is that you are only giving them a little bit at once so the varmits can't eat until their content.

I haven't got mine running yet so that's just going from what I've heard.

 

[Mule man]

I have three. My favorite is the Moultrie tripod. I fill it up about once a month. The battery lasts from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on the temp. I've used it for 3 years with no problems. I also have an American Hunter from Atwoods. It seems that it gets hung up more and doesn't throw the corn nearly as far. I also have a Moultrie 5 gallon feeder. It works really well for a $40 feeder. I just have to fill it up about once a week.

 

[nontypical]

I have three. My favorite is the Moultrie tripod. I fill it up about once a month. The battery lasts from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on the temp. I've used it for 3 years with no problems. I also have an American Hunter from Atwoods. It seems that it gets hung up more and doesn't throw the corn nearly as far. I also have a Moultrie 5 gallon feeder. It works really well for a $40 feeder. I just have to fill it up about once a week.

You use a varmint guard? Afraid the the critters are gonna tear my motor up trying to get to the corn?

 

[spit-n-drum]

You might try getting a clean 55 gallon drum ($10), a leg bracket kit ($20), 3 peices of conduit for legs (roughly $30) and a Kenco smart timer ($55) and assembling your own. I don't know that I could have bought a more durable one than I built.

 

[Gary R]

American Hunter can come with varmit guard. If there is any way to hang it, suspend a pulley from a rope.

 

[huntbigbucs]

Has anyone tried just sitting a 55 gallon barrel on the ground with a hole in the side as a gravity feeder?? I know this won't stop the varmits, but with that much corn, i am sure they could not put that much of a dent in it.

I am trying to come up with a long term solution to feed and have my camera on it without disturbing the area other than checking the cam.

 

[nontypical]

Has anyone tried just sitting a 55 gallon barrel on the ground with a hole in the side as a gravity feeder?? I know this won't stop the varmits, but with that much corn, i am sure they could not put that much of a dent in it.

I am trying to come up with a long term solution to feed and have my camera on it without disturbing the area other than checking the cam.

Thats what I am doing now. I am going through over 800lbs in 5 to 6 days. Thats why I am trying to change. Between deer, coons, tree rats and birds you would be suprised at how fast they can eat it. At one point last week I had 16 deer on the feeder at one time, The deer in my area are starving already. Had a doe last week lying down sticking its leg into the feeder trying to scrape the last bit out of it.

 

[huntbigbucs]

Thats what I am doing now. I am going through over 800lbs in 5 to 6 days. Thats why I am trying to change. Between deer, coons, tree rats and birds you would be suprised at how fast they can eat it. At one point last week I had 16 deer on the feeder at one time, The deer in my area are starving already. Had a doe last week lying down sticking its leg into the feeder trying to scrape the last bit out of it.

I could see that being a problem this time of year. How long did it take them to go through it during the summer months when more food was available?

 

[LX Shooter]

http://www.moultriefeeders.com/catalog.aspx?catid=tripods


Check out one of these..I've had mine out since Sept. with the same battery and the varmits havent even touched it.....:thumb:

 

[nontypical]

I could see that being a problem this time of year. How long did it take them to go through it during the summer months when more food was available?

Not sure because my food plots did so good I didnt put any corn out until October.

 

[nontypical]

http://www.moultriefeeders.com/catalog.aspx?catid=tripods


Check out one of these..I've had mine out since Sept. with the same battery and the varmits havent even touched it.....:thumb:

You using a solar panel? I really like that Pro series and it has a lifetime warranty on the motor.

 

[rjet]

You might try getting a clean 55 gallon drum ($10), a leg bracket kit ($20), 3 peices of conduit for legs (roughly $30) and a Kenco smart timer ($55) and assembling your own. I don't know that I could have bought a more durable one than I built.

That is what I do, I can build a real nice feeder for well under $100. This one does need some blocks under the legs to keep it from sinkin in the mud though.:smack:

 

[yjjeeper]

I have a Moultrie and set mine to only go off at about 7:00 in the mornings. Put out about 3-4 lbs of corn at a feeding. That way you attract the deer during the daylight and hopefully the corn is gone before the coons come in after dark. Squirrels don't make much of a dent in the corn supply.
I'll usually get a few turkeys coming in on it as well.

 

[Mule man]

Nontypical, I don't have any trouble with varmits. I have a trail cam on my feeder and have some good shots of coons about half way up. I have muddy paw prints on the legs but I think they are too slick for anything to climb--at least that has been my experience. I didn't even mount the varmit buster on my American Hunter tripod feeder. I sure like the Moultrie the best. It was around $100 at Wal-Mart 2-3 years ago. Good luck.

 

[nontypical]

Nontypical, I don't have any trouble with varmits. I have a trail cam on my feeder and have some good shots of coons about half way up. I have muddy paw prints on the legs but I think they are too slick for anything to climb--at least that has been my experience. I didn't even mount the varmit buster on my American Hunter tripod feeder. I sure like the Moultrie the best. It was around $100 at Wal-Mart 2-3 years ago. Good luck.

Muleman you know what model number your moultrie is? Thanks for everyones replies. Sure has helped. Thanks

 

[arkansasbowhunter]

get a live trap and trap them racoons off the feeder. thats what I do. pellet gun to the head works real good on them and is quiet.

 

[firecat]

my system may not be unique- 1/8 inch aircraft cable stretched between two trees about 14 ft up. a pulley and more cable on winch to pull up my 100 lb barrel. coons have to be really acrobatic and still can't score.squirrels have to jump 7 ft off side of tree just to land on barrel top and still can't get at spinner- don't try this with 55 gal barrel <weight>:twothumbs

 

[SR4]

I bought an On Time feeder at the local feed store about a month ago. Its called a peg leg, has a 30 gallon barrell on it I think (holds 200lbs of feed). Its digital and feeds up to 3 times a day and I can vary the length of time it spins out feed. I bought it on sale, only gave $60.00 for it. I think it was around 100.00 at regular price. The motor went out a week after I bought it and I thought I'd been took. Called 'em and I had a new motor 2 days later. They were really nice and I havent had any trouble since. Works great! Might check 'em out.

 

[soarkrebel]

I like game country because they are all alum.

I used to build and sell them and used game countrys. I have built many and sold for $125. I don't know if I could still do that with increases in prices.