In places like Pennsylvania and other area where bears are prominent setting up your normal deer feeder is just not an option. As I’m sure you know a bear can and will just about destroy your corn feeder if in reach. There are about a half dozen bears on the mountain that already thwarted my attempts at hanging a feeder up.
I saw something on the internet that pointed me in this direction. I found two trees about 10 to 13 feet apart, strung a 20 foot chain
between them about 16 feet off the ground and connected the chain using quick links to hold it in place. A pulley in the center of the chain helps hoist the barrel. To do that I used a 1200lb boat winch
, you don’t need that much pulling power, but that’s just what I ended up using.
The parts I used totaled about $147 – yeah, a bit high. Depending on where you get the parts, if you have them on hand already, using different, but equivalent parts may save you some money. For instance my three highest priced items were the 30gal. drum at $36, the chain $25, and the winch at $35. You’re almost at a hundred there, so some careful searching may save you a lot. For instance a buddy has a barrel laying around and gives it to you for free, you cut down to an 800lb winch, or you have an old chain in the garage, major savings.
One thing to consider, I looked at some already completed feeders online, they cost about $180, the quality isn’t as good, and you still have to pay for shipping and buy the winch. You’re approaching $250 by the time you finish getting everything you need. So this does save you some money, you can have the pride is saying you built it. I did save some money by already having the spinner and timer.
Parts list for Bear Proof Deer Feeder
Bear Proof Deer Feeder Parts Quantity Total Price Price per Unit Purchased From Notes: 30gal Drum – 1 $36.00 $36.00 1st State Drum 27.5″ x 18.25″ – 33lbs Cable Winch 1 $34.99 $34.99 Amazon TEKTON 5552 1200-lb. Hand Winch Cable 3/16 Chain 1 $24.29 $24.29 Amazon Koch A01161 3/16 by 20-Feet Grade 30 Proof Coil Chain , Zinc Plated Wildgame Innovations Spinner and Timer 1 $0.00 $0.00 Already had one available. 1/4 Quick Links 3 $2.91 $0.97 Wal-Mart Peerless Stainless Steel 800lb working load limit 5/16 Quick link 1 $2.62 $2.62 Lowes Blue Hawk #0348549 Zinc Plated 1760 working load limit Anchor Shackles 2 $6.94 $3.47 Lowes Blue Hawk #0348297 Stainless Steel 800lb working load limit Single Pulley Round Eye 1 $5.98 $5.98 Lowes Blue Hawk #0348597 Zinc Plated 420lb working load limit Threaded Rod 1 $3.21 $3.21 Lowes Hillman 1/2 – 13 – 2 feet 1/2Washers 10 $2.00 $0.20 Lowes 1/2 inch zinc flat 1/2 Nuts 12 $2.40 $0.20 Lowes 1/2 inch zinc hex head Lag bolts 4 $2.92 $0.73 Lowes 3/8 inch x 3 -1/2 inch Washers for lag bolts 4 $0.72 $0.18 Lowes 3/8 inch x 1-1/2 inch 3 foot chain 1 $4.71 $1.57 Lowes 3/16 Inch proof, 880lb working load limit Tarp 1 $1.00 $1.00 Dollar Store 4 x 6 feet Plastic Pot 1 $1.00 $1.00 Dollar Store Moultrie Feeder Funnel 1 $0.99 $0.99 Academy Sports 3/8 Hex Head Bolts 3 $1.94 $0.97 Wal-Mart Bulldog -B52 3/8 x 2 inch Zinc Plated, includes bolt and nut, 2 per pack (anchoring winch to 2×10) 3/8 Flat Washers 1 $0.97 $0.97 Wal-Mart Bulldog 3/8 inch flat washers (for anchoring winch) 3/8 Fender Washers 3 $0.97 $0.97 Wal-Mart Bulldog 3/8 inch fender washers (for anchoring winch) Extras Alligator Clips 2 $1.50 $0.75 RadioShack 2 inch fully insulated Battery Holder 1 $2.99 $2.99 RadioShack 4 “D” battery holder Batteries 4 $6.00 $1.50 Sam’s Club Duracell Quantum Batteries Total $147.05
