mossman
Outdoorsman
Reged: 05/28/07
Posts: 57
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What is your experience with coons and protein? Will they eat protein pellets as much as they will eat corn?
Second question....the feed store near my lease has a protein that will not obsorb water. They have told me that this protein will be ok to use in a typical feeder. Does anyone out there have experience with this? 
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Edited by mossman (06/29/08 11:13 PM)
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deerfeeder
Pro Tracker
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1088
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My experience has been that coons will eat some of the protein because there are often pieces of ground up corn in it if not some whole kernels. They just don't eat as much or make as big a mess with protein pellets. Don't make the mistake of adding corn to protein in a free choice feeder like I did. The coons emptied the feeder onto the ground ate the corn and then pooped on the protein.
Protein pellets with weather shield (or some other brand name) are usually more expensive to start with. I asked a nutritionist from one of the Big feed companies in west Texas about it and his reply was basically that the same stuff that makes it not absorb water will also slow down digestion in the deer since the enzymes can't break it down the way they should. Was that protecting his brand or not, I don't know.
My other experience with protein in spin feeders is that you can't feed enough to make it worth while or to expect any results that justify the expense. The fines in any protein product I've used also tend to eventually get into the motor and usually will end up binding it. Not all motors, but enough to make it an added expense. 
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mossman
Outdoorsman
Reged: 05/28/07
Posts: 57
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Yeah...I think it was called weather shield....or water shield. The price is only like...$3-5 more per bag than corn. I may just go with corn...and then make a feeding trough for the protein. That way I can put ONE bag at a time in it. Thanks for your advice.
Gosh darn COONS!!!! They are all over our lease! Most of the pictures I get back from game cameras are of COONS. Oh...I do have a varmit zapper on the feeder...
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FoxTrot
Pro Tracker
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1541
Loc: Temple
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A varmint zapper??? Sounds like I need one of those.
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"Tell me that i can't do it.
Tell me that i shouldn't even try. Tell me
It's impossible. Tell me
The risk is too high, the challenge
Too much, or the feat
Too tough. Tell me that i won't do it
And i Will."
SAYiWON'T
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deerfeeder
Pro Tracker
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1088
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Over the years I've seen probably 12 to 15 feeders with varmint zappers on them. Most of those were HCR feeders or HCR mechanisms and out of 12 to 15 feeders only one was working for about 6 months before it cratered too. One ranch had 8 of them and the varmint zapper zpped everyone of the control boxes. Disconnected the varmint zpper replaced the control boxes and not another problem. JMO, varmint cages and pvc pipe on the legs works much better and is cheaper in the long run. Other brands of varmint zappers migh work better.
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www.deerleaseservices.com
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mossman
Outdoorsman
Reged: 05/28/07
Posts: 57
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My Varmit zapper has been working for a year now. I put the battery in last year around this time and just this past Thursday everything was working. The solar charger was working (obviously) and my buddy tried to clean out some of the corn around the spinner...and um.... let's just say he won't forget how a varmit zapper feels.  OUCH @#$%@#^@$%
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deerfeeder
Pro Tracker
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1088
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I'm glad it works. Who makes it? I know how the feel, the only one that ever worked got me...once. And no that's not why it quit working.
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mossman
Outdoorsman
Reged: 05/28/07
Posts: 57
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American Hunter...from bass pro. I got it last year and it came with a "free" varmit zapper. I do have to say...I am VERY impressed with the Solar charger. It has been out there for a year and it is on it's first battery.
Should I make a feeding trough for protein...or am I wasting my $$$ on the coons?
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deerfeeder
Pro Tracker
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1088
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If you mean trough like in water trough or a trough for sheep to eat out of I would say a qualified yes do it. TTractor Supply has some smaller ones that are reasonable or you could use something like a mineral tub. Whatever you do I would recommend more than anything to put some sort of roof over it. I don't care what the feed saleman says nothing is waterproof. Also, it would probably depend on how often can you get to your lease to check it? If you can check it every couple of days or so it should be a good deal. If you can't get out but once a month then in an open trough you will end up with coon poop and or possibly moldy protein for moisture. If there is anyway you can afford a protein feeder it would be an all around better deal. The coons are going to get some of the protein, so will birds, so will the deer and who knows what else. The coons just won't get as much as they will if there is corn around. Try it if you can do it cheaply and if they are hitting it too hard quit. It is going to come down to what you think is best. Good luck with it.
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hwy84
Light Foot
Reged: 12/12/07
Posts: 49
Loc: FAIRFIELD;TEXAS
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