Building varmint cages

[hunter68]

I am making cages to mount to the outside of my 55 gallon barrels. Can someone tell me what is the best way to mount the cage to the barrel? Also, I have seen some wire "clips" that are used to mend wire together, where can I get these? Tractor Supply did not have any.

Does it make any sense to build cages for my 30 gallon barrels if I screw to the outside of the barrel? Will this caqe be big enough to deter coons? If not, any ideas?

What is the outside diameter for a 30 gallon barrel? I don't have a 30 gallon barrel here at the house. Would really like to have these ready when I get to the lease.

Thanks for the help!

hunter68

[Nitro1970]

I just used tie wire to hold it to one of my feeders. Worked out well the way the legs were put on the barrel. The other I used self tapping screws with some sort of clip thing that I'll just have to call a doodad for now cause I can't remember what they are called..

[Geezy Rider]

Not sure how well they show up in the picture but I used 1/4" electrical wire clamps from Lowe's to attach my cage. I used self drilling hex screws to attach the clamps to the barrel. I also put rubber washers under the clamps to keep water from getting to the holes and rusting them out. As far as securing the wire to each other I just cut each strand long so that I could wire one to another.

[howzitbra]

I built mine out of rabbit wire. Mine are square. I just cut the wire in 8 spots where would attach to the drum. I then curled the wire around a self tapping screw and screwed it on. When I mess with the battery or timer I remove 6 screws and let it hang by the other 2. Been working great for a few years.

[Smart]

I build my own as well and mount them using these clips I found at Lowes several years ago. They are also available online....



I have an odd small square bottom to my 600 lb BigHorns and I had to use a 55 gallon drum lid to be able to use a varmint guard large enough to keep them out. Just picture this as the bottom of a 55 gallon drum for illustration purposes.



I like to take two of those clips and mount them to the back side of the varmint guard so I can drop the guard down and have the backside swivel allowing me access to the entire feeder control unit.



I add in a bolt assembly to the front so that I can create a place to hook for closure like below. If this was a 55 gallon drum I would hook the top half of the wire to the feeder leg so that it would slip over the bolt and I could wingnut it down to tighten it.



I also add a couple of small "L" brackets to the bottom on the sides so that the coons cannot push the guard in from the side and get to the corn (very cheap insurance). The guard just slides right over them. (see them in above pic as well)



Here it is installed although I found out later that I didn't get the back of the guard in the lid grooves so it looks uneven. I fixed it after the pics. The sheet metal you see on the guard is on the blind side so that I keep corn from bouncing of my blind and getting the deer too close. It is not meant for coon protection although I am sure it helps...

[Sparzo]

Smart knows.

We used metal plumber's tape that has holes already in it down the center. We cut the tape 4 holes long, electrical taped two strips together with the holes lined up and secured 2 per side of the square cages with 3/4" 5/16 hex nuts except for the side that opens, which is a weak point. The raccoons got through the clips presumably from swinging on the cage. I think I could hang from the cages now. We'll see how long they last.

[Palmetto]

I used plumbers tape. cut a piece off, bend it over onto itself to where 2 holes line up.

heres what it looks like installed. pretty stout.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235487&highlight=varmint+cage

[DavidH]

I have seen some wire "clips" that are used to mend wire together, where can I get these? Tractor Supply did not have any.hunter68

I have gotten them at multiple hardware stores (not the lowe's/home depot/etc.) They are called "cage clips" and are used w/ a pair of pliers made to "close" them around the wire.

[SOTXBOWHUNTER]

Got a buddy that works at heb he gave me a metal fruit basket. I Turned it into varmit cage. http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...1&d=1317867183

[J.B.]

plumbers tape x2....build all of mine too

[Smart]

Got a buddy that works at heb he gave me a metal fruit basket. I Turned it into varmit cage. http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...1&d=1317867183

I hope it works for you but my coons would thank me for giving them something to hold onto while they spun my feeders dry...

[CACTUSEXP]

Fruit basket...Great idea....

[HOYTPRO2001]

I've found out that if the cage is not as big as the 55gal bbl. it will not keep coons from messing with the feeder. Don't skimp with $10 a bag corn unless you have deep pockets.

[hunter68]

Thanks for the info guys. Does anyone know the diameter of a 30 gal barrel?

hunter68

[super_dave]

1/4" tubing straps. Just vaseline the legs. It's so much cheaper and easier


Shank 'em!