American Hunter Outdoor Products opened it's doors in 1978 and began producing feeders and feeder accessories at a time when there were few feeder manufacturers in the USA. Their products include spin feeders and trough feeders and they have developed tripods and battery operated timers to complete the feeder setup to meet your specific game feeding need. Their on going research brings new technology to their line of weather proof feeders with accessory options like varmint guards that keep unwanted pests from stealing feed and solar power units to control feeding times.
The American Hunter Outdoor Products R-50 feeder can has a fifty pound capacity. It comes complete with an R-KIT (analog clock) and the spinner can be set to feed up to 24 times per day. Time setting pins and self tapping screws to attach the accessory to the base of the can were included. The directions that accompanied the feeder were clear and assembly was simple. Optional accessories available with this particular unit are: six volt five amp rechargeable battery, Varmint Buster Zapper, Solar panel, and a remote control. This fully functioning unit can be shipped directly from American Hunter Outdoor Products at a price of $69.95 and is also available at retailers like Bass Pro for a comparable price, if not a bit less. I did an online search just before Christmas and found Bass Pros' price for this product to be $40.95 I also found American Hunter Outdoor Products timer units are available at Cabelas online store. Take a look at what American Hunter Outdoor Products has to offer in their extensive product line.
At the edge of a small clearing that is pressed all around by hickory and white oak I set up an American Feeder Outdoor Products R-50 feeder can to supplement the group of deer that graze the parcel on their way deep into the timber. We feed corn or a combination of corn and molasses through the winter to give the deer another source of food when green vegetation is scarce. The battery powered R-50 puts us at ease with the constant delivery of feed at our pre selected setting for several days. This leaves the deer undisturbed and fed continuously. In addition, this unit is effective at thwarting any varmints from stealing paws full of free bounty. My favorite part of deer feeding with this unit is the additional food source it offers to those left behind after a deer season gives up its harvest.
As a direct result of responsible conservation efforts the hunters, of the early archery and recent gun season, have taken does from this herd. The reality is that harvesting does will sometimes leave small fawns to fend for themselves. The smallest pair of fawns to frequent this area has barely outgrown their spots exchanging them for winter coats. I continued sighting these two youngsters as I hunted the late portion of archery season and that prompted me to place my Ameristep feeder in the area after I ended my hunting there for the year. This pair, a button buck and a large eyed doe are so much smaller than the rest of the deer herd. They look a bit awkward, he with his blackened round nubs that almost announce his buckhood and she in the sagging skin that covers her tiny body and just hangs there waiting for her to grow into it. They have prevailed remarkably well despite being on their own. Several weeks ago during a hunt in this area the two of them walked past me and grazed a mere 12 feet away. They only turned to look at me when I laid my bow aside and began snapping pictures! It was no decision for me to let them pass. They starred at me and fed a while in the leaves then they turned to watch me a while before continuing on. I wanted to wait for a mature buck or a mature doe to put in the freezer and I felt an awe at this pair and their survival so far, not to mention I know I was gazing into the eyes of next year's deer herd. Who knows how many points the button buck will grow into and the saggy baggy coat covering such a young doe may well be a place of development for next springs fawn.
