FEED THE FLOCKS
                                          By Bob Jamison

          ‘Tis the season when everything in God’s nature is hungry. So why not feed the flocks and it will add to your enjoyment and satisfaction immeasurably. However, there are some critters out there that are intent on distracting your pleasure in this venture. The following ideas might help.

          Masked bandits rank among the worst predators and their paths are littered with deer feeder parts, crushed bird feeders, displaced grain and frustrated good samaratins. The raccoons wear little black eye masks and carry a constant smirk that relays their mischievous ways.

          “Havahart” is a company that makes a varmint trap that works well. Though many others fall flat due to the dexterity and ingenious manipulations of ‘coon’s ability in raising the drop door on some traps. Persons that try to capture ‘all’ the varmints raiding their feeders could be disappointed because a seemingly constant supply or raccoons and the like often bring their whole family to join in the fun of taking apart delicate timers and mechanisms that dispense food.

          Automatic feeders usually designed to feed deer work great for other creatures such as birds. If you have deer around your home, it is always fun to watch them when the timer engages the device. Corn in these feeders is the usual food plus mineral pellets or worming medicine for the health of wild life. Check with your veterinarian for any possible harm of any medication.  In addition to these items it is a good idea to include between ten and twenty percent bird feed. Why, because whether you are in your living room or deer blind, it is always great to take along your camera or just enjoy the birds while waiting for that buck.
But remember, these too are targets for the ingenuity of tiny fingers. This writer has tried dozens of feeders and ‘coon security inventions that might confuse the brightest of these amazing mechanics to the point it is almost comical. Without the help of wrenches, screw drivers or pliers, it is not uncommon for the best of the best feeders bow to the disabling  raccoon. The most vulnerable (and, indeed the most popular) feeders have the dispenser and timer that is attached to the bottom of the container. You might just as well add to that a ‘coon calling speaker though it isn’t necessary at all.

          Feeders that don’t spin have a fairly effective door but most often ‘coons and squirrels can reach a ways inside the door and pull out corn by the hands full. I have even heard that the day & dark or off-and-on sensor will engage the feeder should the ‘coon hold his hand over the eye of the sensor.

          But “eureka” I have found one that works great! I have had a DIAMOND manufactured feeder for four months now and it has never been damaged by critters (even hogs). By chance, I noticed this feeder, the likes of which I have never seen, at the Day’s Feed and Mercantile store on Clayton and Main Street in Dayton, TX. It is made in Ingram, TX. Day’s store is one of their dealers.

          The patented invention of the Diamond feeder is simple as it is effective. The spinning device is protected by a steel plate the size of the container bottom and is bolted just below the feeding spinner. Varmints can’t reach the spinner inside the one inch opening between the container and the plate and they certainly are not likely to dismantle this one.

          I can see the ‘coon family now sitting around their breakfast room gorging down fresh Wood Duck eggs and discussing how the heck they can tear up this one. So now that you know my secret, don’t forget to add bird seed or at least milo seed to your corn. The pleasure you will get from this gift of nature like birds might well compensate the investment that you can enjoy for a long time.

Diamond Feeders