So if you were buying a feeder for deer, what brand and model would it be?

[gjs4]

I want to put a couple feeders out. May run them long term- it may be a trial that ends with them on the classifieds here in the spring when some food plots will come into the mix

As of now, i was looking at a Banks Stump and an all metal ground fill spinner (Texas Feeders). Would love for it to have feed for a month or more (being a vacant landowner), and not sure how much help (including a ladder or wheeler) to load them. Scared of what the squirrels and coons will do.

Gravity or Spin?
Which would you avoid ?
What make and model would you get?

thank you.

 

[Jackalope]

Just went through this decision myself. We can't feed on the ground so a Banks 140 gravity is what I went with. Looks solid and the single post design combined with some metal around the post should keep the coons out.

 

[Knelly]

We run both Banks and Boss Bucks, both gravity. The Banks that we have have been demolished by squirrels, they chew through the plastic behind the spout and when you fill it the corn all runs out. That's after having them out for multiple years. They do the same to the Boss bucks but they have a replaceable head, which the banks has a one pc molded. So we've had to patch up the banks over the years the best we can.

 

[Spencie]

Just went through this decision myself. We can't feed on the ground so a Banks 140 gravity is what I went with. Looks solid and the single post design combined with some metal around the post should keep the coons out.

Good luck with that! I run a Banks with the single post design wrapped in aluminum flashing. Coons still figure out a way to get up there but I don’t think they get a lot out of it. My biggest problem is squirrels jumping up on it. If it’s empty they will go inside and gnaw holes right through it. I even have a pic of me sneaking up on a squirrel that only has his tail sticking out of a port. I smacked him on the butt. Priceless!
I really like the Banks feeders. I am thinking about adding a restrictor plate to the poets so the deer can’t take the feed by the mouthful. They can still get as much as they want but will have to spend more time doing it. My hope is that the feed will last longer but they still feel comfortable about feeding from it.
I’m not a fan of spinners at all.

 

[Isaacorps]

I would go gravity as well, especially since you won’t be around full time. Too many moving parts to go wrong with the spin types and who knows how long it would be before you noticed. I also believe the deer can get spooked by/wise to them. I watched a buck circle a spinner for about 20 minutes while hunting my buddy’s place a couple weeks ago. He definitely didn’t like what he saw and when it finally went off he bolted up the hill 40 yards and blew and stomped for 5 straight minutes. Needless to say, that was if for that evening’s hunt.
I was going to go with a Banks feeder but didn’t want to spend the coin. I ended up making my own out of a 55 gallon drum, toilet flange, 3” PVC tee, and galvanized chain link fence posts. I bought a barrel band that’s made specifically for the 55 gallon drums, which was by far the priciest piece of the puzzle. I think I had less than $120 in it total. The deer took to it immediately. I can easily get 300 lbs of corn in it. I can write up a little instructional if there’s interest.

 

[Hedgelj]

Robot or human?

My brother has been running one for 2-3 years now with no issues and he changes the battery once a year. I just picked one up and it seems to be working fine.

 

[gjs4]

Please share more on that setup Isaacorps. Sounds like it’s great bag for the buck.

The pole mounted banks with the post (covered in pipe or flashing) seemed ideal. I loved the look of the stump one but from the sounds of it- squirrels would trash it in no time.

so what about all metal or primarily metal like the design above? Squirrels and raccoons shouldn’t be able to do more than pilfer, right? I saw those Shark Teeth things for the leg posts too….

Another newbie ask- are you guys filling this to the max? Using ladders or the back of a truck or utv? Forgive the learning curve- brand new to legal use of supplemented feeding.

 

[Jackalope]

I saw those Shark Teeth things for the leg posts too….

The best thing I've found for the legs is blue marine grease. You don't need a ton and it doesn't really wash off. You only have to put it on the top half of the legs. For spin feeders this is usually above a deer's back, for a gravity feeders your deer may have some blue greasy spots but the coons and squirrels can't climb it.

 

[Isaacorps]

The best thing I've found for the legs is blue marine grease. You don't need a ton and it doesn't really wash off. You only have to put it on the top half of the legs. For spin feeders this is usually above a deer's back, for a gravity feeders your deer may have some blue greasy spots but the coons and squirrels can't climb it.

This

 

[Jackalope]

We run both Banks and Boss Bucks, both gravity. The Banks that we have have been demolished by squirrels, they chew through the plastic behind the spout and when you fill it the corn all runs out. That's after having them out for multiple years. They do the same to the Boss bucks but they have a replaceable head, which the banks has a one pc molded. So we've had to patch up the banks over the years the best we can.

The Banks I just got has 4 removable heads. I'm thinking of blocking off the bottom of two attachment points with metal and only using two spouts on each side to make deer go broadside. Then I can save the other two also.

 

[Isaacorps]

Please share more on that setup Isaacorps. Sounds like it’s great bag for the buck.

The pole mounted banks with the post (covered in pipe or flashing) seemed ideal. I loved the look of the stump one but from the sounds of it- squirrels would trash it in no time.

so what about all metal or primarily metal like the design above? Squirrels and raccoons shouldn’t be able to do more than pilfer, right? I saw those Shark Teeth things for the leg posts too….

Another newbie ask- are you guys filling this to the max? Using ladders or the back of a truck or utv? Forgive the learning curve- brand new to legal use of supplemented feeding.

Sure. It’s a pretty simple setup and stupid easy to build.
1.) Procure food grade 55 gallon drum ($15-$20 on Marketplace.)
2.) Buy this barrel band…
Boss Buck Barrel 55 Gallon Band https://a.co/d/7wFu5QJ
3.) Buy a 3” toilet flange, 3” PVC tee, a short length of 3” PVC, (2) 3” PVC caps, and (3) 1 5/8” galvanized chain link fence posts.
4.) Cut a hole in the bottom of the drum large enough for the flange to fit through. Mark and drill holes for bolts and washers to secure flange to drum.
5.) Cut PVC to length and glue to tee and flange(I cut it just long enough for the tee to butt up to the flange).
6.) Cut additional PVC pieces and glue into each side of the tee (1”-2” past edge of tee to allow for installation of caps).
7.) Cut PVC caps in half and glue 1 each to bottom side of each side of the tee. This acts as a stop to prevent the corn from spilling out unchecked.
8.) Secure band to barrel.
9.) Deploy barrel to feeding location and mount on posts. You’ll need to cut the posts to length so the mouth of the tee is 36”-38” above grade. Seems low but that’s the sweet spot for comfortable feeding.

I also sprayed the tee and underside of the barrel where I cut the hole with some rubber spray seal to inhibit rust and prevent moisture intrusion.

This is obviously before cutting the legs but you get the idea…

 

[bowhunter1023]

If buying one tomorrow, it would be a Banks 300. I will likely have one for behind my house next season.

 

[cspot]

I converted a spin feeder by using the toilet bowl flange like @Isaacorps did. Only difference is I just put an elbow on it so it only has 1 opening. Works pretty well.

 

[gjs4]

 

[Jackalope]

View attachment 167146

I saw that on Amazon. I also saw the giant bag of 400 fasters as it all ships flat and I thought that's a recipe for a leaky feeder and moldy corn.

 

[gjs4]

This was another one I was pondering.

Thinking I’ll try the diy one and a post mounted Banks (the stump one has to be a mess with waste)- legs covered in grease of course-

 

[Sgt Fury]

I saw that on Amazon. I also saw the giant bag of 400 fasters as it all ships flat and I thought that's a recipe for a leaky feeder and moldy corn.

That was my first thought as soon as I seen it also…water getting in all of those seams….caulk would only last a season or two…if that long.

 

[gjs4]

And that’s something I didn’t think of. Pretty sure the Mrs ordered me one for Christmas based on a few questions and some over the shoulder looking.

 

[gjs4]

yup- just had a convo. She is buying me a feeder for an early Christmas present. (She is in love with our Ohio s venture as well… though couldn’t give a chit about hunting beyond venison).

So I will build a DIY one… what’s everyone’s pick for an Amazon one?

 

[giles]

Sure. It’s a pretty simple setup and stupid easy to build.
1.) Procure food grade 55 gallon drum ($15-$20 on Marketplace.)
2.) Buy this barrel band…
Boss Buck Barrel 55 Gallon Band https://a.co/d/7wFu5QJ
3.) Buy a 3” toilet flange, 3” PVC tee, a short length of 3” PVC, (2) 3” PVC caps, and (3) 1 5/8” galvanized chain link fence posts.
4.) Cut a hole in the bottom of the drum large enough for the flange to fit through. Mark and drill holes for bolts and washers to secure flange to drum.
5.) Cut PVC to length and glue to tee and flange(I cut it just long enough for the tee to butt up to the flange).
6.) Cut additional PVC pieces and glue into each side of the tee (1”-2” past edge of tee to allow for installation of caps).
7.) Cut PVC caps in half and glue 1 each to bottom side of each side of the tee. This acts as a stop to prevent the corn from spilling out unchecked.
8.) Secure band to barrel.
9.) Deploy barrel to feeding location and mount on posts. You’ll need to cut the posts to length so the mouth of the tee is 36”-38” above grade. Seems low but that’s the sweet spot for comfortable feeding. View attachment 167134

View attachment 167136


I also sprayed the tee and underside of the barrel where I cut the hole with some rubber spray seal to inhibit rust and prevent moisture intrusion.

View attachment 167137View attachment 167138
This is obviously before cutting the legs but you get the idea…
View attachment 167139

A few pieces of 2" pvc over them legs would work. Stacked 6" pieces