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 |
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3/16 Chain | 1 | $24.29 | $24.29 | Amazon | Koch A01161 3/16 by 20-Feet Grade 30 Proof Coil Chain , Zinc Plated |
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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 |
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5/16 Quick link | 1 | $2.62 | $2.62 | Lowes | Blue Hawk #0348549 Zinc Plated 1760 working load limit |
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Anchor Shackles | 2 | $6.94 | $3.47 | Lowes | Blue Hawk #0348297 Stainless Steel 800lb working load limit |
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Single Pulley Round Eye | 1 | $5.98 | $5.98 | Lowes | Blue Hawk #0348597 Zinc Plated 420lb working load limit |
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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) |
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3/8 Flat Washers | 1 | $0.97 | $0.97 | Wal-Mart | Bulldog 3/8 inch flat washers (for anchoring winch) |
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3/8 Fender Washers | 3 | $0.97 | $0.97 | Wal-Mart | Bulldog 3/8 inch fender washers (for anchoring winch) |
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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 | |||||||