I'm looking to buy some deer feeders for the first time. Looking for protein feeders in addition to corn. I received a wildlife exemption and supplemental feed is one of the activities. I've heard good things about texashunter.com.

Any other recommendations on places to buy or best set up?

All season feeders*

[This message has been edited by MisterHancock (edited 5/14/2012 9:14a).]

Texashunter makes a VERY good corn feeder, any well built protein feeder should suffice.

DVM

http://www.deerfeeder.com

Out of Arlington. I've been through more feeders than I want to remember, but since I started buying these, I've had ZERO issues.

I heard to stay away from gravity fed protein feeders because the deer will clean it out in no time, and you don't want a broadcaster because you don't want protein on the ground. Thoughts? Doesn't look like texashunter has a protein feeder with a timer to control when pellets are dispensed.

I use gravity protein feeders. the first couple of times i used it the deer when through 350 lbs in a couple of days so I adjusted the mouth/spout opening at the bottom where it could not free flow as much so easily and it really extended the amount of time it takes to empty the feeder. Remember you just want to supplement the deer with protein, not make it their primary food source.

Oh and I've had good luck buying feeders on craigslist just FYI

AgySkeet, just curious, how long were you able to make the protien last by turning down the spout and how does that work? I'd like to start supplementing with protein but I can't afford to go through hundreds of pounds per month.

LAMCO makes a protein feeder that spins protein into troughs, we used these with great success at one of my old deer leases.

DVM

What ever brand you get, I would recommend getting crank up feeders for corn. Much easier to fill and sturdier.
Most free choice protein feeders have an adjustment on the tube to control how easily the protein enters the feed spouts. It is there so that your feed doesn't pour out onto the ground. I have never heard of anyone using it to control usage, but I guess you could, to an extent.

I've looked at that LAMCO feeder and it looks great but its pretty spendy.

Also, if you have hogs, get some t-posts for the legs or build feeder pens. It will save you some future headaches.

We have six Lamco spin feeders and they are the best feeder I have ever used.

Do the troughs on those Lamco feeders pose a problem with coons and other varmits?

+1 on the LAMCO. We have a pair that we are using essentially year round for protein. The little trough keeps it up off the ground and it's secure from most coons, critters who cannot get their paws up under the lip.

Corn feeders are out of a guy from San Angelo
http://www.westtexasgamefeeders.com/

We have a pair of the WTGF Feeder with Ladder Platform (pretty solid and easy to climb up/down and use the step to balance a couple of bags of corn at a time.

The two that I love the most are the WTGF Feeder with Winch - the winch is fantastic. You just crank down the bucket, fill it up, and crank ir back up. Things are built like a tank and have been issue-free for years.

Honey Creek Ranch HCR based in Burnett has some of the best timers I have ever used. Very reliable and VERY easy to set and/or change your time and settings.

All Seasons Feeders

http://allseasonsfeeders.com/

RMC, Mine are All Season Feeders and I was able to extend from 3-4 days to 2-2.5 weeks by limiting the amount that easily flowed. Granted that was the performance last year when there wasnt hardly anything to eat on the ranch. I'm going to start feeding again June first. We have so much grass and forbes (not to mention grain crops) right now the deer really dont need that much extra help

Thanks for input everyone.

LAMCO's will pay for themselves in what you control in output. I had mine feeding 20 lbs daily on 1000lb feeders, the deer would literally come running and jump in the feed pen when it went off. I only had issues when it rained a bunch, the feed gets wet and moldy if the deer don't eat it. Other than that they are awesome feeders.

DVM

[This message has been edited by DVM97 (edited 5/14/2012 1:58p).]

You can also control or reduce consumption by increasing protein content.