Raccoons getting my feeder help?

[jeffreyjwilliams]

It appears that raccoons have been causing havoc on my feeder. They were able to knock down the feeder motor. Any suggestions on raccoon proofing my set up? Barbed wire? Metal sheet around the tree?
Picture 1 shows it stretched out on the motor. Picture 2 shows the corn on the ground and no motor. Lucky the motor is in tact and will be re set up this coming week.

This is in Arkansas. The feeder is hung to avoid bears.

 

[mongo4567]

We use varmint cages, you can buy them or make your own. The cage needs to be strong enough and the mesh small enough.

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[KyCarl]

I use dog proof can traps and shoot them with a .22

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

It appears that raccoons have been causing havoc on my feeder. They were able to knock down the feeder motor. Any suggestions on raccoon proofing my set up? Barbed wire? Metal sheet around the tree?
Picture 1 shows it stretched out on the motor. Picture 2 shows the corn on the ground and no motor. Lucky the motor is in tact and will be re set up this coming week.

This is in Arkansas. The feeder is hung to avoid bears.

You are too close to the tree. Go about 5' off the tree or use a Tripod with slick poles. We hung feeders in the middle 10'-12' between trees and 8' high bottom of feeder. This Bear proofs them also. Use a pully system to fill it. If bears don't use tripod.

 

[Terry Lightle]

BANG!

 

[jeffreyjwilliams]

You are too close to the tree. Go about 5' off the tree or use a Tripod with slick poles. We hung feeders in the middle 10'-12' between trees and 8' high bottom of feeder. This Bear proofs them also. Use a pully system to fill it. If bears don't use tripod.

Yeah. I agree. The hanger I bought is obviously too short. I was looking for an option with my current set up (using razor wire around the tree or a piece Of sheet metal).

 

[Tex LR]

Jeff,

If you don't want to raise or move your feeder, you have a couple options.

1) Purchase and install "The Eliminator" spinner plate. Make sure you get the correct spindle size for your motor. This will cut off the food access for the corn bandits. This spinner plate works great and they can not physically spin it down from the funnel. Couple others mentioned varmint cages. You will need to do both or you will most likely find your motor on the ground again.

2) As someone earlier mentioned, place a few dog proof canister type traps in close vicinity. Bait them with "golden nugget" or just plain corn. Capture, remove, repeat.

Good luck.

 

[Greta06]

I saw a video the other day, guy posted coons were getting in his feeder. He installed carpet tack strips on the feeder legs and said it worked. Try a few around the tree base, would only take a few minutes to install and cheap.

 

[wyowinchester]

I like electricity.

 

[wyowinchester]

Metal wrap around the tree like you would for a wolverine.

 

[Critter Picker]

I use a 2 foot wide flashing tin on the trees where I put my wood duck houses.about 3 feet above the ground.so they can't get past it.

 

[DUCKMAN11]

Grease the feeder legs with bearing grease and a paint brush. Varmint cages usually just give them something better to hold onto. And move the feeder farther away from the tree.

 

[mrbb]

I second electric, like some e fence, solar powered and will work on bears as well

 

[Gstew1930]

Jeff,

If you don't want to raise or move your feeder, you have a couple options.

1) Purchase and install "The Eliminator" spinner plate. Make sure you get the correct spindle size for your motor. This will cut off the food access for the corn bandits. This spinner plate works great and they can not physically spin it down from the funnel. Couple others mentioned varmint cages. You will need to do both or you will most likely find your motor on the ground again.

2) As someone earlier mentioned, place a few dog proof canister type traps in close vicinity. Bait them with "golden nugget" or just plain corn. Capture, remove, repeat.

Good luck.

This is the best advice you're gunna get. I couldn't agree more with everything said here