Why would you want to use an electric protein dispenser vs the predominant gravty feed that's been used? I need to buy one, which is why I'm asking. Doesn't appear to be a wasteful method (gravity), but maybe it is and I just don't know it.

Charlie

Typically I believe for measured amounts to be fed to livestock of sorts. Other people use them to regulate how much protein they are feeding. Instead of just guessing, you will learn how long you can allow before making a trip to fill your feeder. Which is great if you've got a 7 hour drive. Or if you cant afford to free choice feed protein to a large number of deer, and are only wanting to use it as an attractant.
Im sure theres other reasons as well.

Most people I know that use them do it because they either do not want to pay to keep a free-choice going full time, or can not get to their place often enough to keep it filled. The timed models allow you to feed a controlled, measured amount.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the dispenser/timed protein feeders can help prevent deer from becoming nocturnal and also minimize loss to raccoons and other nocturnal animals.

I had never considered this as a potential. That alone would be all the justification needed.

Charlie

www.thehammerfeeder.com

The only feeder on the market that allows BOTH timed and free choice feeding.

How much??

Options and prices are on the website. Contact information there as well.

I went and found it, $320 for a complete set up. Might be the difference in having a giant buck NOT be nocturnal....

Sold 175 in the last 12 months and many have been repeat buyers. From the average Joe hunter to the high fence ranch managers, the concept is catching on.

Still considering myself to be a novice deer hunter... I was surprised to learn how WT deer either don't range a whole lot or come back to largely the same place to eat, based on camera activity.

If you agree with the above, is it possible to help the nocturnal thing with more dusk/dawn/day feeding if you're on a larger lease with everyone else offering free choice? If it's free choice everywhere else, am I a man alone or do the deer in my area figure it out?

Charlie

Charlie, I hunt on a 20K acre low fence lease that has been fed for many years. Some folks free choice it and others do timed feeding. When the free choice feeder runs empty, those protein addicted deer will travel in search of a reliable source. Often times, staying at the new feeder until it is no longer a reliable source of feed.

Myself and others on my lease that use The Hammer feeder will tell you that our deer will only be nocturnal if we let them be. We've spent retirement funds developing this device because, as hunters, we believe so strongly in its results. Hunting outfits are even using The Hammer feeder to get mature bucks patterned and out of their nocturnal patterns.

Visit the "Feeding" tab on our website for some real world info.

Thanks, I read your study, certainly looks compelling.

Charlie

Allow me to recommend The Lamco 1500# timed feeder.

Not a bad feeder but The Hammer has advantages over it. Lamco 1500# for $1500 versus a 2000# All Seasons with The Hammer for $1200. The Hammer doesn't have a feed tray with it's issues. The Hammer doesn't need a rain sensor to halt feeding during rain events. The Hammer only feeds what is required to fill the tube, therefore, never over feeds. The Hammer can feed free choice for as much of the day as you wish or as little as one tube full a day.
Waaaay more benefits with The Hammer Feeding System.

The "hammer" doesn't have 21 feet of available trough space for multiple deer to eat at once

Or 21 feet of trough to hold wet protein and varmints. In theory, you may be right, but just how many deer have you actually seen eating at the Lamco at one time? Do they guard the feeder and prevent other deer from getting their share before the dispensed amount is gone? What makes my feeding method better is that I can feed free choice for a couple hours twice a day and they all take their turn. When they get their fill, they move on and another takes it's place. I've seen as many as 23 bucks in the feed pen at one time, taking turns feeding. Unlike the Lamco,The Hammer has "logic" built into the design to cover the day to day variations in how much feed deer consume, without giving easy access to varmints.

I've seen 8 bucks eating at one time from my feeder on a few occasions. The mature deer start guarding the protein about half way through bow season.

That's a good number of deer eating at one time. Do you think that 8 deer are cleaning up the feed or do other deer get their share as well?
I found it difficult to regulate a heavy feeding regimen with a spin type feeder, due to the many variables. It's easy to feed smaller volumes.
What makes The Hammer better for me is that no matter how many deer show up, they can eat all they want for the time the feeder is free choice. Feed stays in the tube, protected from the weather until they eat it.

My best guess is the same 8 bucks always eat at the 5 am feeding time (cannot see antlers on the opposite side of the feeder via game cam)

Seems to be a mix result of does and bucks at the 10 pm and 1 am feed times.

Have never had issues with protein getting wet inside the trough since the deer are there 15 minutes before just waiting on it to drop and I've also witnessed zero raccoons eating the protein. They do hang on my corn feeder frequently

What is your estimate of how many pounds per feeding?

Not near enough I'm afraid. The most I ever drop at one feeding was 10 lbs (30 lbs a day)

30# a day at one feeder is a respectable effort at supplemental feeding. That's enough for 10-15 deer to get the biggest part of their daily requirements. Sounds like you have your feeding strategy working well for you.

Titan

Where is your lease at? The low trough seems like it's place mat and setting for the usual varmit collection?

I've seen/read about the Lamco, Sweeney and HB. All have the same low trough design that just seems wrong given all the effort most of us go through to keep the riff-raff out. Diamond and another one, dump the protein into a separate trough. The All Seasons Electric Protein just appears awkward for the deer to get at.

Charlie

Val Verde County (will be moving to Terrell County next season)

My Lamco has always been inside of a feed pen so no hogs to deal with and for whatever reason the coons have never paid any attention to the protein. There is never any protein sitting in the troughs as the deer eat it as soon as it's dropped.

The Hammer Feeding System is just another way to manage your feed. Seems like the folks who keep coming back to buy more of our product would be a good testimony and a lot of our customers are repeat buyers. Use whatever works for you but at least take the time to understand what makes The Hammer different.

I like the timed protein for two reasons,
A)I can try and keep my bucks from being nocturnal.
B)I don't have to use a pen to keep the hogs from getting into it,only feeds in the daylight and if a hog does decide to show in the daylight-he is dead.
I use the Allseasons 600 stand and fill and am very happy with it so far.

All Seasons Feeders are great and the people there are even better.