Bear Proof Ground Feeder - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Booner Sooner · 07-04-2017, 09:18 PM

OK, for those of you romanticizing about black bears let me tell you that they are a real challenge if you are going to use feeders. While I don't hunt feeders I have attempted to use some over the last few years to get my kids on some deer. The last few attempts have resulted in a score of:
-BEARS: 3
-BOONER: 0

I'm trying a new tactic. Instead of hanging the feeder way up between two pine trees I'm going to go right at 'em and try to build a bear proof feeder.

I started with one side of an 8' steel telecommunications spool I got from Shake 'N Bake.

I cut it in half and welded 2" square tubing to the end of the one missing its base.

When you disassemble one of these spools there are braces between the two sides. I cut those down to size and used them to connect the two halves at the base.

The plan is to add more cross braces and mount the drum on top (securely).

Once that is done I'll be working on fabricating a sturdy cage to protect the thrower. Bought some 1" square tubing for that. The plan is to use 4-6 T-posts to anchor it before telling the bears to bring it on!

More to come.

BolilloLoco · 07-04-2017, 09:26 PM

Good luck!!!

Booner Sooner · 07-04-2017, 09:55 PM

Also, if anyone has advice on how to make this thing more resilient please jump in.

Bowtech38 · 07-04-2017, 10:33 PM

Wonder if you could hot wire it? Keep the bears and coons off of it

Booner Sooner · 07-04-2017, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowtech38

Wonder if you could hot wire it? Keep the bears and coons off of it

Interesting idea! I'd have to run a solar panel to charge it. This will be sitting out in the middle of a clear cut. If they got to the panel it'd be over.

Abcdj · 07-04-2017, 11:06 PM

We have some blinds made of the 2x2 steel tubing used in road construction signs. They have holes every inch so you can bolt them together.

We laid 2, 10 ft pieces on the ground and used 3 ft rebar in four spots to hold them down as a base

Then we used 16 footers for up rights for the box blinds. That were 6 x 6 ft apart.

We then used a 4, 8 ft pieces to connect the ones on the ground to the up rights at 90° angels

By the time you bolt steps on and the rest of the base it's THERE!

Bolted it all together and nothing animal wise could turn it over. It's like a real tinker toy set.

MadHatter · 07-04-2017, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booner Sooner

Also, if anyone has advice on how to make this thing more resilient please jump in.

Use that frame as your rebar, and pour concrete around it

Gladesgator · 07-05-2017, 04:35 AM

Dealing with bears for years in FL has shown me that bears can and do wreck most feeders even when I thought they were good to go.

I really like your idea for a feeder mount but would be concerned with two things,
1. the t posts holding it down, since the bears can get to it, they will learn to shake or push back it and forth making corn fall out.

2. The bigger bears may put holes in your drum allowing the corn to get wet.

Hanging your feeder from a tall 3" steel pipe anchored in concrete with a 90 degree arm at the top to hold the feeder with the winch in a steel box and cable running up inside the pipe is bear proof.

Good luck, hope I am wrong and it works well for you.

Texas Grown · 07-05-2017, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booner Sooner

Also, if anyone has advice on how to make this thing more resilient please jump in.

These seem to work pretty good

.
Cost is about the same as a good feeder too.

twosixteens · 07-05-2017, 12:26 PM

I hope that works it is amazing how strnot and determined a black bear can be.

Booner Sooner · 07-05-2017, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gladesgator

Dealing with bears for years in FL has shown me that bears can and do wreck most feeders even when I thought they were good to go.

I really like your idea for a feeder mount but would be concerned with two things,
1. the t posts holding it down, since the bears can get to it, they will learn to shake or push back it and forth making corn fall out.

2. The bigger bears may put holes in your drum allowing the corn to get wet.

Hanging your feeder from a tall 3" steel pipe anchored in concrete with a 90 degree arm at the top to hold the feeder with the winch in a steel box and cable running up inside the pipe is bear proof.

Good luck, hope I am wrong and it works well for you.

Thanks, Rick. Good info in there. I'll have this in the middle of a clearcut. Digging here is a no go unless you have a bulldozer. Otherwise your suspended feeder suggestion would be the way to go.

RebeccaCreekKid · 07-05-2017, 05:47 PM

We have 2 feeders suspended from tripods welded from 4" pipe. Flat plate up top, with an eye bolt holding a pulley, and a steel cable running to a winch on one leg. Barrel hangs about 8' off the ground.
Bear and hog proof, and would probably stand up to moo cows.
Be smarter than us though and use a small atv winch that will run off a small battery. Winching a 50gal drum full of corn 8' ain't no joke.

Booner Sooner · 07-05-2017, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebeccaCreekKid

We have 2 feeders suspended from tripods welded from 4" pipe. Flat plate up top, with an eye bolt holding a pulley, and a steel cable running to a winch on one leg. Barrel hangs about 8' off the ground.

Bear and hog proof, and would probably stand up to moo cows.

Be smarter than us though and use a small atv winch that will run off a small battery. Winching a 50gal drum full of corn 8' ain't no joke.

Sounds beefy. You have a pic to share?

7m STW · 07-05-2017, 08:08 PM

A friend of mine has a setup in Oklahoma that is on a single 4in pipe 12ft in the air on a winch that has passed the bear test. He greased the pipe when he leaves and has a big steal cage welded around the wench.

RebeccaCreekKid · 07-05-2017, 08:39 PM

Bowtech32 · 07-05-2017, 08:42 PM

I would think you would need heavy gauge steel and concrete post to keep the bears from messing it up. That is if you wanted it easy fill.

Darton · 07-05-2017, 08:43 PM

I have two 350 lb tripod feeders with a winch and timers if you are interested

Booner Sooner · 07-05-2017, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebeccaCreekKid

Attachment 861392

Is there a guard on that thrower? Seems to be bear-head height!

Booner Sooner · 07-05-2017, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darton

I have two 350 lb tripod feeders with a winch and timers if you are interested

Are they outfitted with ultra-high voltage bear tazers?

RebeccaCreekKid · 07-05-2017, 10:12 PM

I almost typed "beer proof feeder." Which would be tragic, as it would never get filled.

It's not winched all the way up in that photo. Once the bear(s) started showing up we raise it all the way, tired arms or no.

Never had an issue, but of course you could always build it a little taller. Let's see, height of the average bear*, divided by the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle, plus or minus the lengths of the..oh hell. Build it tall!

*Unless it's Yogi. He's not your average bear. Hey BooBoo!

Darton · 07-06-2017, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booner Sooner

Are they outfitted with ultra-high voltage bear tazers?

With a little ingenuity they could be

If you staked to legs down with T-Posts I think that would fix it

bm22 · 07-16-2017, 04:02 PM

Yea, If i was building a bear proof feeder I would build a regular style winch up feeder using 2 in drill stem pipe. It would be hard to put up but would never fold up.

texashunter56 · 07-16-2017, 04:15 PM

How would enclosing the whole barrel/feed control inside a cage built of 4x4 wire work against bears?

Booner Sooner · 07-16-2017, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texashunter56

How would enclosing the whole barrel/feed control inside a cage built of 4x4 wire work against bears?

I think 4x4 wire would be too big. I'm going to get some thicker paneling with smaller grid sizes like 2x2. We will see!

Okiehunter · 07-17-2017, 05:58 PM

I have been building feeders to fight bear for several years, this design is almost there.

Booner Sooner · 07-19-2017, 08:46 PM

Holy smokes! That puts it in perspective.

Codypatt1 · 07-24-2017, 12:44 PM

I hate them rascals! My only proven solution has been the hanging feeders between 2 trees method. Got to make sure they are stout trees also, preferably hardwoods if you have any in the area.

mfsasser · 07-24-2017, 02:32 PM

I have a video from our hunters up in the panhandle where we have a few bears, they used t-posts to try and anchor feeders. In the trail cam video you see a big black bear pulling t-posts out of the ground like it wasnt any trouble at all. Some of the posts were driven into the ground several feet! if i can find it i will post it. Pretty unbelievable!

Shane · 07-24-2017, 02:55 PM

I would bet that a bear could tip that over the first night if it's just anchored with t-posts. It's a wide base one direction, but very narrow the other way.

Okiehunter · 07-24-2017, 08:49 PM

The latest design has the legs are set at 22.5 degrees giving it a wide base. using t-posts and the legs screwed into the bracket it will take a heck of a bear to turn it over. They will destroy the spinner plate or rip the timer off the bottom is the only problem.

Quote:

I have been building feeders to fight bear for several years, this design is almost there.

07-04-2017, 09:18 PM	#1
Booner Sooner Pope & Young Join Date: May 2012 Location: Corinth Hunt In: Southeastern Oklahoma	Bear Proof Ground Feeder OK, for those of you romanticizing about black bears let me tell you that they are a real challenge if you are going to use feeders. While I don't hunt feeders I have attempted to use some over the last few years to get my kids on some deer. The last few attempts have resulted in a score of: -BEARS: 3 -BOONER: 0 I'm trying a new tactic. Instead of hanging the feeder way up between two pine trees I'm going to go right at 'em and try to build a bear proof feeder. I started with one side of an 8' steel telecommunications spool I got from Shake 'N Bake. I cut it in half and welded 2" square tubing to the end of the one missing its base. When you disassemble one of these spools there are braces between the two sides. I cut those down to size and used them to connect the two halves at the base. The plan is to add more cross braces and mount the drum on top (securely). Once that is done I'll be working on fabricating a sturdy cage to protect the thrower. Bought some 1" square tubing for that. The plan is to use 4-6 T-posts to anchor it before telling the bears to bring it on! More to come.

07-05-2017, 05:47 PM	#12
RebeccaCreekKid Spike Join Date: Oct 2016	Bear Proof Feeder We have 2 feeders suspended from tripods welded from 4" pipe. Flat plate up top, with an eye bolt holding a pulley, and a steel cable running to a winch on one leg. Barrel hangs about 8' off the ground. Bear and hog proof, and would probably stand up to moo cows. Be smarter than us though and use a small atv winch that will run off a small battery. Winching a 50gal drum full of corn 8' ain't no joke.

07-05-2017, 08:39 PM	#15
RebeccaCreekKid Spike Join Date: Oct 2016	Bear Proof Feeder

07-05-2017, 10:12 PM	#20
RebeccaCreekKid Spike Join Date: Oct 2016	Bear Proof Feeder I almost typed "beer proof feeder." Which would be tragic, as it would never get filled. It's not winched all the way up in that photo. Once the bear(s) started showing up we raise it all the way, tired arms or no. Never had an issue, but of course you could always build it a little taller. Let's see, height of the average bear, divided by the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle, plus or minus the lengths of the..oh hell. Build it tall! Unless it's Yogi. He's not your average bear. Hey BooBoo!

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07-04-2017, 09:26 PM	#2
BolilloLoco Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cypress Hunt In: Old Mexico, Washington County & Harris County	Good luck!!!

07-04-2017, 09:55 PM	#3
Booner Sooner Pope & Young Join Date: May 2012 Location: Corinth Hunt In: Southeastern Oklahoma	Also, if anyone has advice on how to make this thing more resilient please jump in.

07-04-2017, 10:33 PM	#4
Bowtech38 Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Belton	Wonder if you could hot wire it? Keep the bears and coons off of it

07-04-2017, 11:06 PM	#6
Abcdj Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Paris Tx Hunt In: Wilbarger county U.S.A.	We have some blinds made of the 2x2 steel tubing used in road construction signs. They have holes every inch so you can bolt them together. We laid 2, 10 ft pieces on the ground and used 3 ft rebar in four spots to hold them down as a base Then we used 16 footers for up rights for the box blinds. That were 6 x 6 ft apart. We then used a 4, 8 ft pieces to connect the ones on the ground to the up rights at 90° angels By the time you bolt steps on and the rest of the base it's THERE! Bolted it all together and nothing animal wise could turn it over. It's like a real tinker toy set.

07-05-2017, 04:35 AM	#8
Gladesgator Eight Point Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cushing,TX Hunt In: Rusk County, FL and AR	Dealing with bears for years in FL has shown me that bears can and do wreck most feeders even when I thought they were good to go. I really like your idea for a feeder mount but would be concerned with two things, 1. the t posts holding it down, since the bears can get to it, they will learn to shake or push back it and forth making corn fall out. 2. The bigger bears may put holes in your drum allowing the corn to get wet. Hanging your feeder from a tall 3" steel pipe anchored in concrete with a 90 degree arm at the top to hold the feeder with the winch in a steel box and cable running up inside the pipe is bear proof. Good luck, hope I am wrong and it works well for you.

07-05-2017, 12:26 PM	#10
twosixteens Ten Point Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: North Texas Hunt In: Young County Mostly	I hope that works it is amazing how strnot and determined a black bear can be.

07-05-2017, 08:08 PM	#14
7m STW Six Point Join Date: May 2015 Location: Midland Hunt In: Webb Co.	A friend of mine has a setup in Oklahoma that is on a single 4in pipe 12ft in the air on a winch that has passed the bear test. He greased the pipe when he leaves and has a big steal cage welded around the wench.

07-05-2017, 08:42 PM	#16
Bowtech32 Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Collinsville Hunt In: Quanah, Hardeman Co.	I would think you would need heavy gauge steel and concrete post to keep the bears from messing it up. That is if you wanted it easy fill.

07-05-2017, 08:43 PM	#17
Darton Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lake Eufaula, OK Hunt In: Oklahoma	I have two 350 lb tripod feeders with a winch and timers if you are interested

07-16-2017, 04:02 PM	#22
bm22 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: houston Hunt In: Cotulla,TX	Yea, If i was building a bear proof feeder I would build a regular style winch up feeder using 2 in drill stem pipe. It would be hard to put up but would never fold up.

07-16-2017, 04:15 PM	#23
texashunter56 Ten Point Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Texas Hunt In: All over Texas in Goliad, Live Oak, La Salle, Pecos to Kansas to Alberta and beyond	How would enclosing the whole barrel/feed control inside a cage built of 4x4 wire work against bears?

07-17-2017, 05:58 PM	#25
Okiehunter Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Blanchard, OK Hunt In: Colorado, Push county OK	I have been building feeders to fight bear for several years, this design is almost there.

07-19-2017, 08:46 PM	#26
Booner Sooner Pope & Young Join Date: May 2012 Location: Corinth Hunt In: Southeastern Oklahoma	Holy smokes! That puts it in perspective.

07-24-2017, 12:44 PM	#27
Codypatt1 Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Terrell / Poetry Hunt In: SE OK	I hate them rascals! My only proven solution has been the hanging feeders between 2 trees method. Got to make sure they are stout trees also, preferably hardwoods if you have any in the area.

07-24-2017, 02:32 PM	#28
mfsasser Four Point Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Beeville Tx. Hunt In: Bee Co., Presidio Co., Mavrick Co.	I have a video from our hunters up in the panhandle where we have a few bears, they used t-posts to try and anchor feeders. In the trail cam video you see a big black bear pulling t-posts out of the ground like it wasnt any trouble at all. Some of the posts were driven into the ground several feet! if i can find it i will post it. Pretty unbelievable!

07-24-2017, 02:55 PM	#29
Shane Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Abilene, TX Hunt In: Mismatched camo	I would bet that a bear could tip that over the first night if it's just anchored with t-posts. It's a wide base one direction, but very narrow the other way.