The TH6VD digital power control unit features digital electronics, 4 available feed times, feed time durations from 1 to 20 seconds and a 360 degree 30-foot dispersal range. The black powder-coated, galvanized steel unit comes with adjustable mounting brackets (screws included), an extremely durable galvanized steel spinner plate, 2" drop funnel, high-torque 6V motor, and a unique sliding door design providing easy access to the timer. 4 year warranty. 6V battery not included.Price: $49.99
I would like to know.....................
WHO STOLE SUMMER?????????????/
What did you do with it?
And where are you hiding it?
It seems as though just last week we were celebrating the beginning of summer.
Looking forward to our yards and gardens.
Planning vacations.
Now, parents are celebrating "BACK TO SCHOOL!"
That could mean more time in our yards and enjoying the fruits of our labor, however.
Enjoying our backyard guests.
We've seen visitors come and go.
And all the feathered families we helped raise.
Now it's time to think of visitors heading south.
Keep your feeders cleaned and filled.
Very important is a source of fresh water.
Quite often a stranger will stop for a drink and you may be fortunate enough to see your guests.
You may want to keep a camera handy.
It's getting time to think about fall projects in our yards.
It's time to let annuals go to seed and let some perennials go as well.
Say................ do you have any grasses in your yard?
I'm not referring to the grass you mow, or the stuff "Cheech and Chong" made so popular either.
I'm talking about ornamental grasses.
Ornamental grasses for your birds.
No,I haven't flipped my lid.
Grasses are becoming more popular in landscaping, yet have you
thought of the possibilities for wildlife?
For birds?
Grasses come in many varieties from only a couple inches tall to 15 feet and taller.
They come with names like "Little Bunny" and "Giganteus"
"Flamingo" and " Little Zebra"
How about "Karley Rose" or "Karl Forrester"
Names are as unique as the grasses are.
Grasses can work as a ground cover, erosion control, a wind brake and look good while doing it.
Ornamental grass can make up a border, a barrier or become a focal point in your yard.
Grasses can also help feed and shelter birds.
This time of year, most grasses are flowering or have showy plumes.
Many of these plumes produce seeds for birds to munch on.
Foliage left up for the winter months provide wind brakes and protection from harsh winter winds
Birds may also make a mad dash to flee a predator.
Not to mention that the dry foliage and plumes can give depth and motion to an otherwise drab landscape.
In spring, birds will be using bits and pieces for their nests.
Cut back your grasses 2 to 4 inches from the ground before new growth starts.
Most grasses are hardy to zone 5 and many are hardy to zone 4
There are a few hardy to zone 3.
Once established, ornamental grass needs little care.
Grasses come in about every shade of green there is.
You can find shades of blue.
Grasses with shades of yellow
There are grasses with shades of red.
Grasses with horizontal stripes and some with vertical stripes.
Some varieties are drought tolerant.
Others may prefer moist conditions.
Most prefer sunny locations, while a few prefer shade.
The fact is, there will be a grass for your location.
You can even get annual grasses.
There are so many varieties to choose from I can't go through them all.
Check with your local garden center or nursery.
Have them recommend what is good for your yard.
Or, do some homework and see what you may prefer instead.
I have 6 varieties of grasses and I'm sure the collection will continue to grow as I find and make room for them.
You are sure to be hooked on grasses when you see a bird hanging onto a stalk and dancing in the wind.
An added bonus, grasses are deer resistant.
Check out the yards around you.
Hit the local garden centers and nurseries.
I'm sure you can find a grass for your yard.
Remember, fall is the best time to plant.
Well friend, it is time to get this letter sent out so I best get going.
Do have a blessed week and continue to smile.
Until next time.
Your friend,
Ron
http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
Ron Patterson has been caring for wild birds since he was 10 years old. He has discovered many things along the way.
An avid gardener as well, Ron is a Michigan Certified Nurseryman.
With his expertise in birds and gardens, he writes a weekly newsletter called "Backyard Birding Tips"
Corn: cracked, shelled, whole
If you are a bird feeder on a budget or if you are feeding hoards of birds feeding corn is one way to keep your birds happy.
Whole ears of corn offered on spike feeders or on hangers will make the woodpeckers and squirrels very happy. It's great fun to watch a squirrel trying to figure out a revolving corn wheel. Place your squirrel feeders as far as possible from your other bird feeders.
Shelled corn in hopper bird feeder or hanging tray feeders will attract cardinals, jays, ravens, crows, and grosbeaks.
Cracked corn in ground feeder trays will attract quails, grouse, pheasants, ducks, dove, starlings blackbirds, house sparrows and cowbirds.
Corn has a couple of serious problems: First, it is the bird food that has the highest risk of becoming contaminated with aflatoxins, which is harmful to birds. Second, it is a favorite of bears, raccoons, and deer-none of which we need to be feeding.
To decrease the chance of contamination don't buy corn in plastic bags, do not let it get wet (I keep mine in metal trash cans and only keep 50 pounds on hand), and in very humid or wet weather only put out what will be eaten in a day. Make sure you clean up the old corn and dispose of it, the compost pile is a good place.
It is best to have all of your corn feeders away from your other bird feeders so the less aggressive birds will not be scared off. If you can, separate them with a screen of shrubs or trees.
Never use any corn that has any type of die on it because it is probably a poison. Do not feed any popped corn it spoils too easily.
If you have a snow or an ice storm cracked corn is a good way to feed a lot of birds quickly. Feed smaller amounts several times during the day to reduce waste and spoilage.
Suet
Suet is now considered to be most kinds of beef fat and is safe to feed to birds. Suet is very attractive to insect eating birds, including woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, chickadees, and starlings. Occasionally cardinals, wrens, thrashers, kinglets, creepers, and even some warblers will visit suet feeders. Suet is a high calorie energy source, that is easy for many birds to digest and metabolize, and is very important to birds in cold weather.
Raw suet goes bad quickly when the temperature is above freezing for any extended time. It is recommended tat you use rendered suet, which has been melted and has had the impurities removed. rendered suet can still get soft in the summer and coat the belly feathers of birds. If the bird is nesting the suet can clog the pores of the eggs preventing the embryo from getting enough oxygen.
Most of the suet cakes you can buy have a mixture of corn meal, cracked corn, peanuts, fruits or dried insects. Corn and peanuts can provide a medium for bacteria growth. Therefore, you may want to make your own suet cakes or make sure you are buying a high quality product. Always check the contents and the expiration date. I keep my suet cakes in the refrigerator until I use them.
I use several types of suet feeders including upside down feeders and combination suet/tray feeders.
I hope this article will help you in choosing bird food/seed and let you know what birds you; can expect to attract.
We are the owner of http://www.thebirdfeedingstation.com. The bird feeding station is your online source for feeding stations, including cardinal feeders, finch feeders, suet feeders, squirrel proof feeders, garden bird baths, optics for bird watching, and handcrafted bird houses.
American Hunter Sunslinger Feeder Kit with Solar Charger 6 Volt Solar Charger, Easy touch digital timer, Powder coated "No Blow" Slinger and Downspout, Easy to install, Mounting brackets, Self tapping screws for ease of installation, Reuires 6 Volt Rechargeable Battery which is not includedPrice: $79.99
What lovely, gentle creatures are deer, leaping though the forest, munching grass in the clearings...pulling the bark off your trees...nibbling your flowers...chowing down on your apples...raiding your bird feeders....oops! Suddenly, Bambi isn't quite so adorable. But, of course, they are only doing what comes naturally and, unlike humans, they are only destroying your garden to survive....not for the sport of it. An average deer eats 6-8 pounds of forage a day. And, on a more serious note, the more deer that are attracted to your garden, the higher the chances of them bringing in deer ticks that can carry the dreaded Lyme disease. Another repercussion of your yard and garden attracting deer, is that the dining deer may saunter off into the streets surrounding your home becoming a road hazard, causing harm to vehicle, human, and deer alike. So, what to do? There must be some humane method that protects both garden and deer, something that does not require constant re-administering, something that works day and night, rain or shine, winter or summer. The answer is a physical barrier.
Oh, no! Not some ugly fencing that detracts from the natural beauty of my garden or makes it look like a prison enclosure!
No, indeed. There is a wonderful product called "Deer Barrier" that will protect your plants (and bird feeding stations) from marauding deer. This special mesh fencing has no sharp edges and the openings are too small to get a deer's nosey nose stuck or entangled. It is made from strong, UV protected material that will withstand the poking of deer and other animals and will not fade, rust, corrode, or attract electricity. Its open mesh design and black color blend in with the surrounding landscape and does not detract from the beauty of your garden. "Deer Barrier" is available in rolls, 7' tall and either 100' or 350' in length. It is very comfortable to work with and easily attaches to trees or posts.
But I have a serious deer problem. A whole herd of them have discovered my garden. Is "Deer Barrier" strong enough for me?
Not to worry--- if you are in a high-density deer population area where it seems like the "Deer Tour Bus" has let off all its passengers at your personal wildlife cafe and they are treating your garden like an all-you-can-eat buffet, there is a step higher for you in the Deer Barrier product line. You are a likely candidate for "X-treme Deer Barrier." This product has all the appealing features of "Deer Barrier" but is one foot taller and has twice the tensile strength. It is available in rolls, 8' tall and 100' in length.
Ever wonder what deer really love to eat? Here is a list of their personal favorites. (If you have these in your garden, you should very seriously consider using either "Deer Barrier" or "X-treme Deer Barrier.")
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea )
Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
EasternRedbud (Cercis canadensis)
Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Cornelian Dogwood (Cornus mas)
Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus)
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Apples (Malus spp.)
Cherries (Prunus spp.)
Plums (Prunus spp.)
Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.)
Evergreen Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)
Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
Hybrid Tea Rose (Rosa (x) hybrid)
Make sure the only deer in your garden are the decorative concrete kind. Use either "Deer Barrier" or "X-treme Deer Barrier" to keep the "wild" in wildlife and keep the wildlife in the wild!
Tina has lots of deer around her property and sometimes even in her garden. She knows that a good way to keep them out is with deer barrier or extreme deer barrier.
American Hunter E-40P 40 LB. Capacity hanging feeder, adjustable feed rate 1-30 seconds, 40 pound capacity plastic hopper, portable, provides easy relocation, easy to install, feeds at daylihg and again up to 12 hours later, galvanized metal slingerPrice: $39.99
Eliminates the problem of rodents and varmints chewing or breaking plastic parts. This complete kit contains both an aluminum spinner plate and funnelPrice: $14.99
Plastic tapeRed hopper w/lockable, flip lid. 200 lbs. capacity, approximately 4 months worth of feeding. Schedule up to 6 different feed times a day. Up-to-the-minute timer lets you precisely program start time. Customize feed aMounts w/variable feed settings (1-20 seconds run time). Diamond shaped Metal sPin Plate & funnel. Throws feed in a 40-ft. diameter circle. ABS plastic Kit housing is durable & user friendly. Operates on 6-volt Battery (not included).Price:
Tired of wind, raccoons, and squirrels wasting your expensive corn and protein feeds? The-Eliminator is the solution!Price:
Hi end scouting equipment available in flash version, features 5.0 megapixel images and camouflage housing.Price: $89.99
The SP6V1 6 volt eDRENALINE solar panel includes an aluminum mounting bracket and hardware, a polycarbonate front cover for years of trouble-free service, a mono-crystaline design and a protective steel flex-conduit and alligator style battery clips. 1 year warranty.Price: $29.99
In my last article, I mentioned the popularity of tube feeders
and what to look for.
Other feeders like hoppers and platform feeders serve a
purpose and need as well. Today I will discuss platforms
and what to look for in a quality platform feeder.
A platform feeder is self describing. It is a platform made of
wood or screening with four sides about two inches high.
Platforms usually sit on four legs or some are hung by a
cord or metal chain.
Platform feeders serve a purpose and can attract the
greatest variety of birds and other wildlife. Squirrels, deer,
chipmunks, rabbits and mice find grazing on your birdseed
as easy pickings and will continue to return.
Platform feeders are open to the elements where seed
can get wet and buried in the snow.
Platforms require more frequent cleaning as seed can
sprout and mold quicker. Not to mention that birds will
hop around in the seed, often leaving a calling card.
Others birds hop in and peck around, eating seed and
other birds droppings.
To many sickness and diseases are passed this way, that
is the main reason for keeping a platform feeder clean.
I personally put less birdseed out and clean it every other
day
What to look for when you are ready to purchase or build a
platform feeder.
Look for durability. Is the feeder made of recycled plastic?
If it is wood, is it made of cedar or redwood. Anything less
wont do. Recycled plastics will last a life time. Redwood
and cedar have their own anti bug and anti rot chemicals
built in so they too should last for years and years if taken
care of properly.
Look for or build with these quality products and make sure
it is held together with stainless steel or zinc coated screws.
Regular screws will rust away and staples will pull out
leaving your feeder a crumbled mess.
Are you planning on hanging your platform feeder? Make
sure it has a stainless steel or powder coated chain. Cords
will rot and can be chewed off.
Most important of all, is a screened bottom. Anything less
will not do. My platform has a removable screen. A screen
I can slide in and out. A screened bottom allows for drainage after a rain. It also allows me to remove it to scrub and sanitize as often as needed. Cleanliness is important.
Are you going to paint or stain your platform feeder? If you
chose to do so, be sure to use a water base paint or stain.
Oils can penetrate birdseed or rub off onto feathers and
brought back to nests.
Birds and small wildlife are more susceptible to predators
when feeding from a platform feeder. Placement of all your
feeders should be close to protection. Place feeders near
your trees and shrubs for protection, yet in a place where
they are easy to get at and enjoy.
Always use a quality feed for your birds.
To sum it all up. You want a platform built to last and with a
screened bottom or platform. Taking that extra time or dollars
to buy or make your platform feeder is worth it in the long run.
Ron Patterson has been feeding and caring for wildbirds for more then 40 years. His experience of caring for birds and owning his own wild bird specialty store prompted him to become a Michigan Certified Nurseryman. As a nurseryman, he know what and where to plant to attract more birds to your yard. As one of America's backyard birding experts,Ron has a weekly newsletter called "Backyard Birding Tips" you can find Ron at [http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/] Email ron@backyardbirdingtips.com
To hunt whitetail deer before the onset of the breeding season, you need to make a close inspection of feeding areas and deer trails, as in preparation for winter and the ensuing breeding time, both the male and female deer feed more to gain weight. The breeding season or rut varies in different locations, depending on the intensity of the climate and availability of food. The hunting season changes likewise. Hence it is best to concentrate on the feeding areas, deer trails and water holes when you go whitetail deer hunting.
Organize Food Plots with Care:
Food plots are measured areas of land set aside to plant corn, clover, rye and other grains that are good as deer fodder. These plots vary in dimension and can be as small as a few square yards or as big as several acres. Deer prefer long and narrow food plots as they provide more security. Tempting deer by pouring grain in feeders or baiting is also an allurement. This can, however, be risky as there is a law against baiting in some states.
Where to Place the Stands for Effective Use:
Another successful tactic is to hunt in deer trails that have high traffic. These busy trails can be found between bedding and feeding areas. The stands are generally placed in the wooded part of the trails.
Deer are vary animals and can smell, hear or see hunters who are well hidden. Therefore, it is important to employ extreme caution as the deer are highly guarded even when they are under cover.
Here is a quick recap of the different tactics that hunter can employ in order to come up with a prize trophy before the breeding season starts:
• Plant the fodder crops well in time.
• Locate frequently used trails to feeding areas.
• Place the stands early so that the deer can get familiar with these additions to their surroundings.
• Concentrate on and keep close to feeding area, trails and water holes.
If you follow these instructions carefully your chances of getting a good memento before the rut will be greatly enhanced.
Click here for more information on regulations on hunting deer and check out: food plot for your library of resources.
Quality whitetail deer management has not been around for very long, but lately has taken off throughout the country. Areas that come to mind include Florida, Kansas, Iowa, the meca of bow hunting the northeast and of course Texas. Deer management has been around since the beginning since anytime an animal is harvested, its impact will be reflected in the health of the herd. With recent introduction of "quality" to the program, one wonders what does that mean? The hunting community now realizes the power we possess while in the field. And, how we help or hurt the herd is determined every time we step into the woods. Quality deer management has as many variables as there are fish in the sea. I will discuss supplemental feeding using feeders in this article.
I hunt in Texas under a state sanctioned MLDP program (Managed Land Deer Permits). The state gives us extra privileges with the expectations we will conduct ourselves with the health of the herd in mind first. We have fun with the end result in mind. Our ranch, as with most in Texas, utilize deer feeders to help accomplish that goal.
During deer season we will feed a corn/protein mix. The corn provides a strong attractant so we can make solid judgments on the right deer to remove based on predetermined criteria. The corn also provides a carbohydrate replacement which is crucial in order for bucks to maintain a healthy physiological being while they push themselves during the demands of the rut. Hopefully, the deer go into the spring season in decent shape. The better shape they are in coming out of winter, the larger the antlers will be the next season. Once spring is upon us, it is time to start feeding protein.
I convert all my spincast feeders to free flow gravity tubes by removing the timer mechanisms and installing the gravity tubes. A product call a deer feeder helper makes this a breeze, taking only minutes to convert. The optimal way of feeding protein is to use the spincast feeder and ensuring the pellets are contained or delivered into a trough or feed tube, which keeps the pellets off the ground and from being destroyed by moisture.
Creating a housing (bucket) around your timer connected to a tube works well for this. Eliminating untargeted animals is also encouraged as there is no need to supplement the diets of raccoons or feral hogs. Feed pens and varmint guards are always a must. There are hundreds of different types of protein feeders out there. These are used solely for supplemental feeding and not normally hunted over. Usually placed in sanctuary type locations.
They can be quite large and require auger type loading to be efficient. Loading 4000 pounds one bag at a time can be very taxing and costly. Buying bulk is always considerably cheaper. Protein pellets come in many different types. I recommend shopping for an affordable 16%-20% brand containing extra minerals to help with antler growth. Some are water repellant which is beneficial if you chose to dispense on the ground.
Protein pellets will tend to clog in spincast feeders due to moisture swelling the pellets, however, this is not detrimental if you use a feeder helper as you can simply unlatch the feeder helper and remove any obstruction or clog. If you chose to spincast your protein pellets, you might consider feeding after dark. Deer are nocturnal by nature and this helps ensure the protein is eaten promptly and not left to be ruined by the elements. I believe this also helps the whitetail trophy bucks to claim this as his territory, which hopefully could prove fatal if you done your part at the range.
Of course, there are many different mediums to use trying to achieve a healthy deer herd such as food plots, prescribed burns, removing excessive cedars and mesquite, and adequate harvesting of the deer. A game biologist is always key for those eager to hear his/her opinion and advise.
I hope you find this information useful and informative.
Happy hunting. Chris Nicholes
Chris Nicholes is an avid outdoorsman and a life long whitetail deer hunter. Please contact me through our website if I can be of any assistance to you. Thank you and may yours be the bigger, better buck. http://www.deerfeederhelper.com
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We know that not only adequate nutrition produces a healthy herd, but it also affects the quality of horns. Habits of nutrition and feeding of deer varies from place to another and from station to station, but understand the habits of its area is an important part of a successful management program.
The two variables that affect nutrition and diet of deer are the availability and quality. Subarctic deer are very sensitive and selective and have a wide range of food preferences and nutritional needs. It is easy to see why feeding options can be confusing. No single plant species maintains the levels of nutrients throughout the year, required by deer successful growth and reproduction; Therefore, it is important to be well informed about the different resources.
Browse: this classification refers to the growing soft part (stems and leaves) of woody perennials, trees, shrubs, vines and plants is usually called a "brush". These plants provide a large amount of protein and it is easier for the deer to digest. Review is normally available throughout the year.
Herbaceous: are plants often referred to as "weeds" or wild flowers. This includes all of flowering herbaceous plants are herbs. Herbaceous are highly nutritious; they contain high levels of protein, phosphorus and vitamins. Forbes is one of the favorites among subarctic because they are easily digestible; However, normally available only for a short period of time (most common during and after the "wet" season).
Mast: this is a classic deer food source and refers to the fruits of plants is defined as a species search. Mast includes things such as acorns, berries, fruits and similar articles. The deer migrate and it will move to the area as a mature fruit tree crops and fall to the ground. Masts are important in the diet of deer, but are seasonal and vary from year to year.
Grass: grass and herbaceous plants, grass and sedges and rushes. Pastures are less important to deer food category, but use will rise slightly during the spring and if there are pastures. During the winter months young, cool-season grasses such as wintergrass, Ballico and rescuegrass can be important sources of protein.
Grain crops: this kind of food includes elements of forage plant for agriculture, grazing, or specifically for wildlife in the form of food parcels. To improve the quality of the diet you should plant a season of cold and warm season food trace per square mile. Cold season crops typically include clover, vetch, wheat, oats and Ballico. Common warm season crops including peas and other legumes varieties and millet. Food and supplementary food parcels are not substitutes for the proper administration of population and Habitat.
Commercial sources: also known as supplementary feeding, this includes feeds dismissed as supplements (protein), or simply those considered attractive hunting of deer (maize). Complementary feeding is an important factor in the management of deer and a power source when native forage is insufficient in quantity or quality. The common attractive Texas deer hunting is whole corn distributed through previously timed deer feeders and subarctic hunting season. The most common dismissed supplement is protein and can be distributed through the free choice of feeders. It is important to note that supplementary feeding of deer is expensive, and unless it is done correctly, is of little or no benefit to the deer.
Nutrition is probably easier to control component in the production of quality bucks with horns of quality. They are highly adaptable and while food preferences and requirements vary considerably between regions, understanding of and nutritional needs will get on the right path to production for a herd of quality.
Deer season is around the corner, Administration of deer: surveying your Stock, common errors that deer hunters, location is everything, tomorrow: you're a day awayTags: hunting of deer, deer management
