Protein Feeder Question

[RMW]

These are sweet, going to get me a couple

[mikemorvan]

If you go the free choice route, at least get a feeder you can put CoonHoods on. CoonHoods will pay for themselves in about two months.

[mjhaverkamp]

Just my opinion. There are positives to both. If you have deep pockets and can afford to keep them filled 24-7 via paying somebody or making a lot of monthly or bi-weekly trips then sure free choice does more for a deer. But to say timed protein doesn't help with anything is just regurgitated old school thinking. Some kind of supplement feeding that is consistent will always help compared to nothing. Its just common sense. As much as 24-7 free choice no, but nothing? No as well. I see videos of nice ranches using timed protein feeders and growing very nice deer. Home they are consistently easy to keep feed end with some semblance of control and are putting out feed. Forum They don't run out in week two or three like some free choice 800-1200lb feeders and you can't get back until week 4 or 5 sitting empty for those 2-3 weeks.. Blogs and very importantly, they get deer on your time if they want their part. There a prominent ranch down south that FND hunts with and their manager says there is nothing better at getting mature deer out in the day time than a timed protein feeder. So ....not only do you help supplement the deer in the offseason and up your game some there. You also up your game around your feedpen during season ... For us on a budget it's a win-win and we've been killing some pretty solid deer the past few years for us since most of us got with the timed protein program helping supplement mother nature... I think I'm on year 6 and 6 of our 7 members are doing the same

Sure some protein is better than none, my protein feeders will be away from hunting areas, I will not put them in the same pen as a corn feeder, we will not hunt over them, we will let them run out about November unless food is scarce, we will have summer and fall food plots to go along with the protein, food plots are much better imo. We will have cameras set up on the protein feeders so we can monitor them for feed consumption. This is the way our new place will be set up. As far as the lamco timed feeders, I really like them but to say the coons will not get any of the protein is not correct, i have pics of coons having a big party at mine lol.

[coker737]

Hunting NO FENCE, I was going to get Protein Feeder but bought two Hay feeders from a Brother TBH. Loaded with Alfalfa. The Deer Came

[Ishi&Elvis]

I am not able to feed free choice, so it will be a timed feeder for me. Mornings only, as I want deer that want to eat to show up in early light and finish. I am not interested in feeding coons. I am wanting to avoid having to get on a ladder, so a stand and fill is most likely my route. From pictures it looks like deer are able to access from a tube easier than a tray, especially with antlers. Thanks for the replies, much obliged and helped me make a choice.

[sharpstick35]

I'm spending $6k per year per feeder if they are free choice protein. $1,200 per year per feeder for corn. and as far west as I am, a food plot isn't an option.

[Smart]

Sure some protein is better than none,

They why not say that versus "but if the deer do not have free choice i do not see protein helping with anything except for an attractant"

my protein feeders will be away from hunting areas, I will not put them in the same pen as a corn feeder, we will not hunt over them,

Good choice for you. You certainly hear of a lot of ranches doing it that way so it's proven effective. Timed just seems like the better choice for us that live 4-5 hours from our place and don't have a ranch hand or a service to keep our stuff filled. Plus we want to use them to our advantage. I certainly don't want to compete against my protein during the season but we also want to supplement through the rut and winter. Our west Texas deer need all they help they can get.

As far as the lamco timed feeders, I really like them but to say the coons will not get any of the protein is not correct, i have pics of coons having a big party at mine lol.

I don't think I have ever seen anybody claiming that coons can't get any protein from a timed protein feeder's trays but they are at lease relegated to the deer's leftovers, if there are any, and they can't endlessly scrape it out on the ground to waste trying to get new out of the tubes (without coon hoods). If I have coons "partying" in my timed protein trays at night, consistently, then it would seem like to me my deer either aren't eating enough or I am are feeding too much for my deer populations.

[RiverRat1]

Our biologist told us that clearing cedar (and some brush) in the right areas will grow more protein than you could ever put out in a feeder.
Any opinions on that?

[Ishi&Elvis]

I did just that RR1 over the summer. Cleaned up all the cedar in a couple of areas that will grow forbs and green stuff. I will be interested to see how it goes if I get some rains this spring. Biologist is most likely correct, but I plan on supplementing whatever I get with some protein of my own.

[mjhaverkamp]

Our biologist told us that clearing cedar (and some brush) in the right areas will grow more protein than you could ever put out in a feeder.
Any opinions on that?

Yep, this and summer plots if you can grow them, I have been told that feeding protein year round free choice may get you 10 inches of extra antler growth, so feeding it part time or in limited amounts would seem to not get you much, you don't put cattle in a feed lot and then limit their food, this was from a biologist. It really comes down to genetics and age, all this other stuff will at least keep the deer around your property.

[Smart]

Our biologist told us that clearing cedar (and some brush) in the right areas will grow more protein than you could ever put out in a feeder.
Any opinions on that?

Our landowner is grubbing cedars during the summer each year. Hopefully that is the truth and we are in the right areas

[Smart]

Yep, this and summer plots if you can grow them, I have been told that feeding protein year round free choice may get you 10 inches of extra antler growth, so feeding it part time or in limited amounts would seem to not get you much, you don't put cattle in a feed lot and then limit their food, this was from a biologist. It really comes down to genetics and age, all this other stuff will at least keep the deer around your property.

Well I guess if your deer were in a feedlot situation that analogy would hold some water.

[mjhaverkamp]

Well I guess if your deer were in a feedlot situation that analogy would hold some water.

LOL, I guess you go by SMART for a reason.

[bloodtrailer28]

You need another one? I have one way in the back corner of my ranch that I need to get out (will be a PIA) and sell to someone. Just been procrastinating doing it for a long time.

What you got and how much are you wanting for it? Been needing another one for the ranch.

[topher]

I have 1-500 lb all season feeder. It will be gone in 2-3 weeks.
I’m 4 hours away and I go to fill up feeders every 6 weeks. So the protein sits empty for 3 weeks. My budget on the feed bill is already high running 4 timed feeders.

I can buy a timed protein feeder to make it last for the 6 weeks or let the one I have now stay empty for 3 weeks until I get back.

Which way is best? Thoughts n opinions are welcomed