I bought 2 new feeders in August to try out. First one was a Texas Hunter 70# directional feeder. I bought it out of state to save sales tax. It was on sale $100 off and 1/2 price freight ($22). The total delivered with solar charger was $800. The second one was Wildgame Innovations (Aquq Pro) 75#. Bought it online for $328 delivered with solar charger. First impression: Texas Hunter is much stronger built, stronger legs, stronger cabinet. It throws the feed about 10' further and the timer has a separate housing outside the feed chamber. The Texas Hunter does not leave any feed in front of the feeder.
Both units have been in use for about a month. They feed twice a day 8am and 6pm. We have had three rain showers during this time. Both feeders have muddy coon prints on the outside of the cabinet. The coons have not got inside. I have had no problems with either feeder. Will post back in a few months.
I purchased an AquaPro a little over a year ago. I really wish I would have spent the extra money and bought a Texas Hunter. I've just had too many problems with the AquaPro. I'm up at the farm this weekend, and have found my AquaPro hasn't been working for a few weeks. It has a new leak. The water has been able to get into the feed,, again.. I can't determine where it's coming in from. It appears to be coming in from under the timer box. I've got to throw out half a bag of Optimal, because of all the mold. In my opinion, when you factor in the cost of feed thrown away, you really don't save any money with a cheaper feeder. It also appears that the disk that spins and feeds the primary distribution wheel, isn't turning any more. The feeder is under constant assault from coons. I've eliminated 20+, but there appears to be an unlimited supply..
Last edited by SetterGuy; 09/11/1605:39 AM.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
SetterGuy, I have 2 AquaPro feeders sitting in the shed, one was retrofitted with a Texas Hunter Feeder timer with Highflyers help. No leaks on mine, but timer woes, that's why the switch.
The Texas Hunter Feeder has worked flawlessly for me.
I'm just in my second year with the Texas Hunter dock feeder and it's flawless (as was mentioned above). The only experience I've had with Wildgame Innovations (WI) was with deer feeders and I can't get any of the motors and timing devices to last more than a year or two tops. WI has been a big disappointment in the Texas heat and humidity. Not sure what I'm going to go to in the future with respect to deer feeders, but I've got time to figure that one out.
As an aside, they (Game and Fish) are talking about banning feeding of deer in at least some parts of Arkansas due to CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease). The thought is that it concentrates deer and causes the disease to spread faster. Apparently we have too many deer concentrated in small areas.
I have three TH feeders and they've worked flawlessly the six months I've used them. Reliability is especially important to me since my BOW is an hour from home.
I am soooo glad I listened to everyone here and bought a TH feeder. I used a omnidirectional deer feeder on a tripod in 4 ft of water. It worked but grew old within about the 3rd time I had to paddle out to fill it. TH feeder has run EVERY DAY for a year and a half. I feed all through the winter here. I live on the property and watch it every day. It has NEVER given me an ounce of trouble. Well worth the investment!! You can't go wrong.
Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
A tip for the guys with the TH feeders. If you shut your feeder down over the winter (don't feed the fish) either bring the battery inside and put it on a battery tender, or leave it in the feeder and plugged into the solar charger, just turn all your feed times to "off". If you unplug the battery from the feeder and leave it there, it might freeze, or just draw itself down over winter.
A client in Texas was buying new batteries every year because he just unplugged the hot side. Now they are lasting many years because he's turning the feed times to "off" and leaving them plugged in.
Run the food out of them before you shut them down for the winter too.
A tip for the guys with the TH feeders. If you shut your feeder down over the winter (don't feed the fish) either bring the battery inside and put it on a battery tender, or leave it in the feeder and plugged into the solar charger, just turn all your feed times to "off". If you unplug the battery from the feeder and leave it there, it might freeze, or just draw itself down over winter.
A client in Texas was buying new batteries every year because he just unplugged the hot side. Now they are lasting many years because he's turning the feed times to "off" and leaving them plugged in.
Run the food out of them before you shut them down for the winter too.
I ran the motor in the empty feeder one second a day during winter.
Two of my TH feeder batteries played out in the past couple of weeks. Life span of the batteries was approx. 23 months running(feeding for 22 months). I went ahead and replaced the third feeder battery after two had played out. Seems to me that most of the batteries around me play out around two+ yrs. The TH feeders have pretty much been trouble free, even after adjusting the spinner plate to handle 1/4" feed. I am really happy Overtons recommended these feeders because at the time I had no idea on which brand to buy.
Tracy
Last edited by TGW1; 09/11/1604:55 AM.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
I'm just in my second year with the Texas Hunter dock feeder and it's flawless (as was mentioned above). The only experience I've had with Wildgame Innovations (WI) was with deer feeders and I can't get any of the motors and timing devices to last more than a year or two tops. WI has been a big disappointment in the Texas heat and humidity. Not sure what I'm going to go to in the future with respect to deer feeders, but I've got time to figure that one out.
Texas Hunter is an awesome feeder. I assembled an American Hunter under a 55 gal drum and I think it lasted 1 month, to their credit it had been over-run with fire ants and the motor couldn't spin anymore. My only problem with the Texas Hunter is the battery/controller door allows water to drip directly onto the battery and causes it to short out. I need to install weather stripping around the door.
Just a quick update. I hadn't been up here at the farm for 11 days. It appears my AquaPro hasn't released any food. It is showing some "error" code when it's supposed to feed. I will have to see if they will give me another free timer. Man I wish I would have spent the extra money and bought a Texas Hunter Feeder in the first place.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
SetterGuy... Good luck with that... I sent a faulty Aquapro time back and never received the new one. I unsuccessfully tried to contact a couple of times with no luck and (sadly) just gave up.
My feeder. 89 bucks plus about 70 bucks in PVC. I've had it cense 2010 same feeder still works great. I got about 175 bucks in it. Not downing the TH but a feeder the size of mine I could have like 5 of these on the pond.... Just saying... The other cool thing about this setup is I can move it around if I like I just have a rope and anchor on it. Works real nice when the water starts to drop.
RC
Last edited by RC51; 10/03/1608:27 AM.
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
I think I'll post on the forum, to see if anyone has a old TH feeder for sale.. I'm ready to give up on the AquaPro..
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
My feeder. 89 bucks plus about 70 bucks in PVC. I've had it cense 2010 same feeder still works great. I got about 175 bucks in it. Not downing the TH but a feeder the size of mine I could have like 5 of these on the pond.... Just saying... The other cool thing about this setup is I can move it around if I like I just have a rope and anchor on it. Works real nice when the water starts to drop.
RC
They now make these models with a directional spreader on the bottom. These are all I have ever used and find they are perfect for me. Now there is a pro hunter quick-lock that I have modded to be directional. This one has been flawless.
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