Feeder about 100 yards from a county road, but mostly hidden unless you were driving and saw it from one particular spot. We do not hunt around this feeder, but was used more for observation. The lid got wonky a year of so ago and I quit filling, so it has just been sitting there. Last night I was out walking and happened by the feeder for the first time in months and noticed a large caliber hole through the front and a dent on side where the projectile almost came through, but stopped. It was dark and I tried finding the bullet, but could not. Will look again today.

My assumption is that if it was shot from the road, with the size of the entry hole and distance, it would have penetrated both sides. Wondering if maybe an errant shot from a greater distance and the shot was mostly spent? Only thing that makes question that assumption is that the entry and almost exit are almost parallel in trajectory, so not a shot that was dropping. FYI - cheapo feeder made of thin metal, so not something that I think would stop penetration from close.

Thought about calling the SO, but not sure they can do much since I do not know when this even happened.

Any guesses or suggestions?

Either what you said, or maybe the guy that was hunting it got mad because you quit filling it with corn and sent you a little message.

No guesses, but it's better than the 30 carbine slug I found embedded in one of the cabinet doors in my garage! Had to have come in while the garage door was open. And I live in a well-populated neighborhood.

Possibly a .45 caliber hole? 45 acp is going to lose a lot of steam in 100 yards. My guess would be that it was shot from the road by a pistol of some sort.

Yeah, I thought about that as well. Maybe the most likely scenario. The hole going in is pretty big, so 45 might make sense. Will keep looking for bullet.

You have a lot of faith in man if you think it was an errant shot. Agree that it was likely a pistol round and without a doubt it was intentional.

Interesting. Post some pic's so we can figure this one out.

Is there any possibility that it was shot when it was full of corn? If so....the corn would absorb most of the energy from most bullets/calibers.

If it was empty, then I have no idea.

Pretty sure it was empty when this happened. I haven't filled it in more than a year and have been by it a time or two and think I would have noticed sooner. Pretty big hole. Will get a photo later today.

Take a .45 round with you when you take the pic for reference.

This is why I have trail cameras on my place. I know what's there on 4 legs, it's the 2 legged ones I want to see. I found an accidental discharge (assuming) from inside one of my stands once. Irritating.

Yes, now looking in light of day, no way this was an accident from distance. Very good shot though if from road with handgun - dead center of logo and traveling a bit up. Still can’t find the bullet - could have fallen in hopper at some point and got slung.

Good shootin??

Sorry some redneck messed up your feeder.

Yep, from the placement, I'd say that was deliberate.

If you've allowed anyone to hunt your property other than you in recent memory, I would start there. Otherwise I'd get game cameras up in case you have trespassers/poachers.

They were aiming at the center of the logo. 100 yards? Maybe a .45-70?

If the bullet isn't in the feeder, or on the plate it should be under it. A nut and bolt and two washers and continue to use it.

When first looking at the topic, I had in mind of the
paper company leases that used to be scattered through
east Texas. They'd usually shoot the timer mechanism
though. You could forget leaving a camper or any
3 wheelers or 4 wheelers there. Camper would be
full of holes or a pile of ashes, and the atv's would
be dematerialized into the 4th dimension. Same
with any portable stands.
Most likely somebody local that has always trespassed
since they all know whenever everybody comes and goes

30/30

Just put some flex seal on it and move on. If real concerned put another cam out to see what may be going on.

Are you sure there wasn’t still some corn in it when it was shot?

Yes, it has been sitting empty for about a year, and that was not there a few months ago when I nabbed the battery for another feeder. The lid is jacked, so I quit filling so I didn't end up with rotten corn inside...plus I have gone to all stand a fill feeders and this was the last of the old ones I had to crawl up a ladder to fill, so was planning to junk anyway.

No way to solve, but appreciate all of the opinions. It will remain a mystery.

Definitely plug the hole with a bolt/washer/nut. Just a perfect entry invitation for those darn hornets!!!

I fixed a feeder once with a bullet hole using JB weld. Worked well. If you ever decide you want to fix the lid and use it again that would be a good option to patch the hole.

45/70 has a lot more azz than a 45 acp. It would have gone through and through.