Bear proof feeder help

**Geetch** · 06-19-2017, 10:17 AM

Bears are getting expensive. I started with tripod feeders. Bears tore them down, bent the legs, crushed one of the feeders, or just bent the spinner plate to let the corn out.

No bueno, so I bought these things, thinking that they would be out of reach of the bears. 5540_pd1870439_1.jpg 5540_pd2457903_1.jpg

The feeders are about 10-12 feet off the ground by my guess. I couldn't touch the legs when the feeders were suspended so I thought I was fine. I was wrong.

The bears seem to have climbed one of the trees for some reason and also popped two of the winches. Just got the chains off that wince holder somehow. One winch was up at the top of the hanger. They also got to the spinner plate on one and bent it. Not sure how they could do that given the height. Must've been a hell of a bear.

So, I need to:
1. Get the winches out of reach.
2. Figure out a way to stop them from climbing the tree the feeder is in.

This was my plan and wanted to get thoughts on what you've done for bears.

1. Put metal flashing on the pine trees eight feet up to keep them from climbing it. Waste of time and money? Will they just tear it down?
2. Relocate the winch to be eight feet off the ground. Going to be a pain in the ass to use.
3. Switch to something else the bears won't eat.

Is there truly a bear proof feeder?

**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2017, 10:26 AM

I know it wouldn't be this time of year, but do y'all have a bear season down there?

**nitro5x6's** · 06-19-2017, 10:32 AM

I have a little experience with bears...

No such thing as a bear proof feeder or something they won't eat.

Best program is to stop the feeding program for a while until the bear (s) move on to someone else's place.

**Geetch** · 06-19-2017, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Duck cutter

I know it wouldn't be this time of year, but do y'all have a bear season down there?

The yankee transplant hippies cried about it, so no more bear season.

**Geetch** · 06-19-2017, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by nitro5x6's

I have a little experience with bears...

No such thing as a bear proof feeder or something they won't eat.

Best program is to stop the feeding program for a while until the bear (s) move on to someone else's place.

That was my fear. They are pretty smart creatures.

**DJA** · 06-19-2017, 10:45 AM

Take tan write in bait pile, wait for bears to arrive, shoot tannerite.

**Glenn** · 06-19-2017, 10:51 AM

No such thing.

**Geetch** · 06-19-2017, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Glenn

No such thing.

I get that, question is what can I do to make them resistant? metal flashing on the tree help?

**Glenn** · 06-19-2017, 11:07 AM

They'll just rip it off.

Bears gonna bear.

Only option is for yeti to start making corn feeders.

**dbenn454** · 06-19-2017, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Geetch

I get that, question is what can I do to make them resistant? metal flashing on the tree help?

Hot wire around the tree and feeder? Barb wire? Razor wire? Make it hurt to climb the tree.
I would think you're going to have to make the bear decide on its own that the corn just isn't worth it. I don't think you could create any obstacle that the bear wouldn't eventually bypass unless it hurts too bad to keep trying.

**Gut_Pile** · 06-19-2017, 11:22 AM

No experience with bears, but a guy on QDMA Forum who lives in Florida said this has helped him.

**CUducks648** · 06-19-2017, 11:26 AM

Need pic of said bear to see what size we are talking.

**Downeast** · 06-19-2017, 11:40 AM

Local club in NC built a trough like feeder out of metal plate and set it in a concrete slab. I had a pic of the thing at one time. It was bear proof and held about a ton of corn. Kind of overkill but it worked.

**JABIII** · 06-19-2017, 12:01 PM

Bears should be treated like coyotes, hogs, armadillos, and muslims.

**2thDoc** · 06-19-2017, 12:14 PM

ohh.....so just make up a bunch of silly legislation about them?

**JABIII** · 06-19-2017, 12:31 PM

Yep. If a bear is caught messing with anything on your land, he can be fined $1000 or sent to live in Sumter for 6 months.

**Glenn** · 06-19-2017, 12:39 PM

E-gads, man! You'd banish a critter to Sumter just for tryin' to make a livin'?

You're a hard man.

**Palmetto Bug** · 06-19-2017, 08:21 PM

Feeders alone are enough of a pain in the ass to keep running but I would think you could keep them at bay with a battery powered fence charger. There aren't many creatures that won't change their habits when they discover electricity.

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