Stand and Fill VS Crank Up Feeders

[jweir99]

Looking to add a feeder to my new hunting spot and was curious what the majority of bow hunters prefer when hunting off the ground (6 feet up in my case) - a crank up feeder or a stand and fill style feeder?
We've always used crank up feeders with good success when gun hunting from ground blinds. This new spot is specifically a 6 foot elevated bow blind, and was planning to put a feeder about ~20 yards from the blind. Interested in hearing which style feeder folks prefer and why!

Cons I've read about stand and fill style feeders:
- Potentially blocks shot opportunities
- Doesn't broadcast corn as far as a crank up
- Prone to being knocked over by cows or hogs

Pros I've read about stand and fill style feeders:
- Easy to fill
- Easier to setup
- Anything else?

[DUKFVR]

Get you a stand and fill. Stake it down if necessary. You will never go back to a crankup. A good s&f will throw corn plenty far. You can also get directional throw feeders.
I went to all S&F feeders. I will NEVER have another crankup.

[Bullseye07]

Neither. I hang my feeder in an oak tree about 10 feet in the air. Broadcasts corn well vs a smaller pile. Cows can't bump it empty or damage it. Haven't had issues with critters. Don't have legs to shoot around either.

[ReydonPete]

If you've have good luck with the crank up maybe you should stay with that style
I agree with a point of the stand and fill can possibly block a shot.

[RascalArms]

Stand and Fill VS Crank Up Feeders

I will never go back to a crank up or tripod feeder climbing **** ladders again!
Stand and Fill or in my case..."Stand on Tailgate and Fill" feeders are the only way to go IMO. Never had an inside where I couldn't get a shot off so far.
One of my 85gal SNFs on sled.

[hammer63]

Another vote for S&F with directional unit. Love mine.

[sqiggy]

Get you a stand and fill. Stake it down if necessary. You will never go back to a crankup. A good s&f will throw corn plenty far. You can also get directional throw feeders.
I went to all S&F feeders. I will NEVER have another crankup.

I would have to disagree. We have one S&F on our place. It does not throw corn very far. If the hogs ever figure it out, it will be on the ground in a matter of seconds. We call this stand the Miracle stand, cuz it's a miracle this feeder is still standing!! Also, you have to stand on the back of the 4 wheeler to fill it. Not very safe if your boots are muddy and slick. And it will block a shot if your target is on the other side and you're only 6ft up. On my crank ups, only thing you would have to worry about on the shot is not to hit a leg.

[DSDC]

We just recently switched to all Stand and Fill feeders and love them. Faster and easier to set up and fill! Stake them to the ground and even if cows rub on them they are less likely to tip over.

[Rglass2323]

Cables WILL break! I was very nearly killed by a full feeder coming down on me when cable snapped. I won't go near one again!

[elliscountyhog]

Stand and fill! If hogs make a mud hold under it just drag it out. I am converting all my feeders to stand and fill.
So if anyone has the All Season or HB or similar quality and want to sell I am looking.

[Kdog]

You don't save much by having a winch up feeder. Cranking that thing up isn't all that easy.

[Patriot-2000]

I went to a "Winch-Up" feeder and don't have to worry about any ladders (Me & Ladders aren't friends after a falling accident) plus 12' in the air spreads the corn good ....

[sqiggy]

You don't save much by having a winch up feeder. Cranking that thing up isn't all that easy.

Double pulley system, a 3yr old could do it!!
Another thing to consider, can you drive a truck right up to a stand and fill?
Need to move it, how much trouble will that be? I can break down my crank up in about 10 mins and set back up in same amount of time, without any help and don't have to stake them down. All of our feeders you can't get a truck to and I don't like to stand on the back of my 4 wheeler and dump 300lbs of corn in each one. Slipping off the 4 wheeler isn't an option. Yes, cables will break, but if you prep it while new, they will last a long time. Also, a quick inspection of the cable before you crank it back up goes a long way. Been running crank ups for over 15 yrs now, only had one break when I got it to the top. I also knew it was about to break due to the condition of the cable. I didn't have a replacement at the time and took the chance it would hold one more time. I lost!!

[Kdog]

^^^^^^^^^^^ Ok, well I guess that isn't the one my friend has.

[Chance Love]

We have both. Well, our stand and fill are standing on the tailgate and filling. I used to prefer the crank-ups (still have 2) but I like the stand and fill better. Especially with a directional unit. Check out Mitch's (Krivoman) feeders on here. I'd like to eventually convert all feeders to his directional units. You can position them so no feeder or legs will ever block a shot. And they will CHUNK some corn out!