We hear you! In our experience older bucks tended to avoid feeders, or if they did visit it was well after dark. In personal observations, I have noticed increased buck activity at the TruStumps.

Yes, I love the ones we have. Really keeps deer coming in. You would think 200 - 250lbs would be enough but… 🥴

Chad, in my experience I have seen more buck activity at this style of feeder compared to a spin cast style. We’ve used the bag feeders, similar gravity style, and replaced it with a spin cast feeder, and the activity including several bucks we were getting slowed down or never returned. As to why, I’m not sure. If I were to speculate the bucks in my area are familiar with the spin cast style feeders and what that means. Last year was a full season I used the Tru-Stump and I had more activity at it than any other feeder I’ve used in the past. Once again it may have been because it was different, the fact I didn’t over hunt it, or a combination of both and more. I hope that helps.

Opp, My experience I’m with the feeder is with corn and soybean. It has a 35 gal capacity, so if the sweet feed has a similar mass as corn or soy, it should equate to about the same. However if it takes more sweet feed by volume to equal 50lbs compared to corn then it will be less. I would say you are probably safe at 200 pounds.

It does have openings on each food portal to use anchors. They aren’t much bigger than a thicker tent stake you would use for a canvas tent. Definitely could make the unit a little harder to walk off with.

Thank you for the question! When we fill it too the rim, we can get about 225lbs of whole kernel corn.

It’s similar to what kayaks are made from. We are going on two seasons and we’ve not had any observable varmint damage.

@@KountryfriedOutdoorProductions good to know, just purchased one

I wish I could answer that for you but the only boars and sows we’ve dealt with are trash pandas. Tru Stump is pretty active on Instagram and I’m sure more than happy to share their opinion or feedback from customers who do have hog interactions with their feeders (if any).

Yeah they are on their second full season now. No issues structurally. Like all gravity feeders if they’re popular you go through the feed! Have great activity at each one.

Any rodent damage or water infiltration ? How would you suspect this would compare to the Banks or other versions out there?….. and the hardest question for last; do you see more bucks on these free food dispense style feeders than gravity or spinners? Thanks for the review(s) and responses.

Those are all great questions. So I had to look up the Banks feeder that you were talking about. The big difference I see is that the Banks might have a slight advantage when it comes to feed capacity, but looks like it would be more susceptible to rodent damage compared to the TruStump. The TruStump has the metal guards at the end of the feed ports just for that purpose and they also let you control the flow of food that comes out. As for my units, there has been no water infiltration, and there is no rodent damage. They have held up really well.

Thank you so much for the reply. Will keep you posted on my experience after I get mine out. I appreciate the help.

That’s a unique scenario to deal with. We don’t have a thriving population of either in Ohio. The only boars and sows ours had to endure were raccoons.

@@KountryfriedOutdoorProductions Even squirrels can chew thu that plastic given enough time. Been there, had that happen to a plastic tripod feeder. Only steel drums for me. And for anyone who needs the info, use metal flex conduit for your solar panel wires. Squirrels will chew thru those too.

@@drthuntclub4153 Thanks for sharing. Definitely is an option for some one to look into. Ours TruStumps are getting ready to go out for their second season. Undoubtedly squirrels and other rodents may take there toll, so we’ve either been lucky or keeping the feeders producing satisfied the little varmints.