Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Texas Hunter Feeders And Coons?

I’m thinking about buying a Texas Hunter Feeder. Are they coon proof?

I've had Coons all over mine...never an issue. I'd say it's as close as one could get.

Same here. Little paw prints all over them after a rain, but they didn't get to the goodies.

Same here. Coon tracks all around but can't get in the feeder. Have been using mine daily for about 6 years!!

Coons constantly are checking mine out, one I watched spent a lot of time messing with the control door latch before it met its demise. I added a lynch pin to that control door latch an extra level of security. I’m very pleased with the feeder overall. Thanks.

Bryan

Have had mine since 2014 and no bandits

I use a smaller Texas Hunter hanging feeder. Last summer was the first time coons had raided it. It's my own fault, based on the placement of the feeder. The coon figured out how to stand in the right spot (as they always do) so he could reach the spinner plate and knock feed into his paws. I think the larger stationary feeders are built a little different than that, which might make this type of 'robbery' very difficult. But I've had great success with this little feeder and it has been working well for me the past 5 yrs. Only replaced the battery last year for the first time.

DrLuke, sounds like this type of feeder is easier on batteries. I'm lucky to get 2 years on mine.

Do you let yours run all winter? I do one time a day for 1 sec through winter. No battery issues.

The hanging TH feeder uses a single corn slinger, so it takes a lot less juice.

Have you observed them feeding on your cold days? Or do the benefits of the fish getting SOME supplemental feed during winter far outweigh the negatives of wasting a little food and stimulating extra plant growth with those nutrients that missed your fish food chain?

I did put a solar trickle charger on it (the one TH sells) and that probably helps. Also, I typically only feed 3-4 sec throws twice a day, when I feed (~ May to Sept, depending on water temp), so lower power use too.

Water below 50, feeder is empty. I just leave batt in through winter and let it run once a day to exercise batt and motor components. I believe it's better than sitting all winter with nothing moving.

Interesting debate on this point. I keep feeding small amounts all winter, but others say it wears out the battery and motor. Also, does exposure to the cold have an impact on battery life? Some say it is a negative, but others store their batteries in the freezer!

my fish do not touch my feed during the winter - so my feeder goes empty but I let it still spin every day - I have dealt with years of deer corn feeders and learned to let them continue to spin (assuming it is solar powered) and that gets the longest life out of the batteries.

I have owned a number of Texas Hunter fish feeders and they are the best there is IMO - totally coon proof and reliable

I like the idea of letting it run a little thru the winter, Snipe mentioned above that he does too, I have a 20 yr old Sweeney feeder that someone gave to me and it still works like a brand new one, the original solar panel is still charging the battery great, but leaving it sit thru the winter I did have to buy a new controller this spring. I think i will let it run thru the winter next year.

Coons are a mess, they cant do much with it but they try hard, I retrofitted a plastic chute to direct the feed out a little more then up and they chewed it off right even with the metal, the bottom had a few rust spots and pretty thin and they ripped it off but I replaced it with a piece of aluminum so no problems anymore.

Thanks for the replies.