In places like Pennsylvania and other area where bears are prominent setting up your normal deer feeder is just not an option. As I’m sure you know a bear can and will just about destroy your corn feeder if in reach. There are about a half dozen bears on the mountain that already thwarted my attempts at hanging a feeder up.

I saw something on the internet that pointed me in this direction. I found two trees about 10 to 13 feet apart, strung a 20 foot chain between them about 16 feet off the ground and connected the chain using quick links to hold it in place.  A pulley in the center of the chain helps hoist the barrel. To do that I used a 1200lb boat winch, you don’t need that much pulling power, but that’s just what I ended up using.

Started with a 30 gallon barrel, drilled a hole a couple inches down from the top…

…to insert a threaded rod.

Threaded rod in place, secured with washers and nuts. Also have a 3 foot chain and anchor shackles to hoist the barrel.

Drilled out a 2 inch hole for the corn to flow out, attached a Moultrie feeder funnel over the hole. Also attach the feeder spinner and timer housing.

Added the Feeder Funnel. Used some caulk (still white since it didn’t dry yet) to keep water out.

Bolted on the spinner brackets, will add the timer and spinner unit when I’m about finished.

Attached the boat winch to a 2×10 and attached the board to a tree with 3 ½ lag bolts.

Attached a pulley to the center of the 20 foot chain with a quick link.

Used a ladder and attached the chain to the trees with more quick links.

Attach chain to both trees and center your pulley.

Attach the end of the winch wire to the chain to lift the barrel.

Fill with corn.

Secure the lid.

Lift with the winch.

Attach spinner and timer housing, setup your timer.

Finish lifting, test height.

Sorry bear, you’re not getting this one!

The parts I used totaled about $147 – yeah, a bit high. Depending on where you get the parts, if you have them on hand already, using different, but equivalent parts may save you some money. For instance my three highest priced items were the 30gal. drum at $36, the chain $25, and the winch at $35. You’re almost at a hundred there, so some careful searching may save you a lot. For instance a buddy has a barrel laying around and gives it to you for free, you cut down to an 800lb winch, or you have an old chain in the garage, major savings.

One thing to consider, I looked at some already completed feeders online, they cost about $180, the quality isn’t as good, and you still have to pay for shipping and buy the winch. You’re approaching $250 by the time you finish getting everything you need. So this does save you some money, you can have the pride is saying you built it. I did save some money by already having the spinner and timer.

Parts list for Bear Proof Deer Feeder