Bears, with their smarts, are always searching for their next meal. If you are anything like me, you probably love feeding the deer but don’t like the bears, you’re in the correct spot!

1. Confuse the Bears

Nature meets craftsmanship: Excellent baffles keep bears away.
Nature meets craftsmanship: Excellent baffles keep bears away.

Bears can be stopped from reaching feeders by installing baffles above and below them. I created baffles out of some old metal sheets, and they have worked wonderfully.

A few relevant products:

  • Sheet Metal Confusers: Set up long-lasting metal baffles to efficiently keep bears from getting to your feeders.
  • Poles for Confusers: Choose strong poles to increase protection and lift your feeders out of bear’s reach.
  • All Weather Feeders: To make sure they can handle outdoor conditions and keep bears away, use feeders that are weather-resistant.

2. Decide on Hanging Feeders

Improve your deer feeding with this well-made hanging feeder, which is both practical and classically styled.
Improve your deer feeding with this well-made hanging feeder, which is both practical and classically styled.

Hanging feeders on tree branches can keep them out of bears’ reach. I once installed a pulley system between trees, and it’s not only useful but also enjoyable to use!

These products might help:

  • Strong Pulley Fixture: A durable pulley system allows you to easily lift and lower your feeder. Perfect for easy feeding.
  • Tough Hanging Deer Feeder: Go for a long-lasting, weatherproof deer feeder that can endure the weather and keep bears away.
  • Flexible Rope Device: Use an adjustable rope ratchet to secure your feeder for effortless height adjustments and extra stability.

3. Use a Durable Design

Built tough: A bear-proof feeder that has stood the test of time.
Built tough: A bear-proof feeder that has stood the test of time.

Using metal enclosures or tougher materials can help make your feeder bear-resistant. Once, I crafted a feeder using some old steel mesh, and it’s still as good as new!

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Sturdy Steel Mesh Parts: Keep bears from getting to your feeder by securing it with strong steel mesh parts.
  • Strong Metal Enclosures: Make your deer feeder more durable and safer by using reinforced metal enclosures.
  • Strong Fixture Brackets: To ensure your feeder is stable against strong forces, mount it using heavy-duty brackets.

4. Use a Camoflauged Feeder

Learn to hide: A deer feeder concealed inside an amazing handcrafted tree stump.
Learn to hide: A deer feeder concealed inside an amazing handcrafted tree stump.

Hide your feeder inside something natural, such as a hollowed-out tree stump. It takes some work, but it gives your yard a magical feel.

Try these:

  • Hollow Log Decor: Use a hollow tree stump garden planter to turn your yard into a natural feeder disguise.
  • Tool for Wood Art: Make your own feeder with a flexible wood carving tool kit to get creative.
  • Outdoor Feeder Set: Create a sturdy, weather-resistant deer feeder that blends in perfectly with the natural environment.

5. Create a Native Blockade

Nature meets craftsmanship: A strong deer feeder protected by a natural barrier of thorny shrubs.
Nature meets craftsmanship: A strong deer feeder protected by a natural barrier of thorny shrubs.

A natural barrier can be created by planting thick shrubs around the feeder area. I put in some thorny bushes, and they have been quite effective at keeping bears away.

Useful items to consider:

  • Thorny Plant Pack: Keep bears away by planting thorny bushes to create a natural barrier that works.
  • Mesh for Plant: Use strong garden netting to protect and guide your bushes for optimal growth and security.
  • Plant food for Plants: Use organic fertilizer to encourage your shrubs to grow into a thick, impenetrable barrier.

6. Opt for Elevated Feeders

Improve your game by using this custom-built deer feeder to outsmart the smartest bears.
Improve your game by using this custom-built deer feeder to outsmart the smartest bears.

Increasing the height of your feeder by placing it on a high pole can be a real game changer. I recall constructing a feeder using a tripod stand, and it proved amazingly successful at preventing bears from accessing the treats.

Products that could assist:

  • Adjustable Tripod Feeder Support: Keep your feeder steady and bears away with a strong tripod stand.
  • High Deer Feeder Pole: Use this tall pole to lift your deer feeder, stopping bears from messing with it.
  • Long-Lasting Feeder Container: Ensure the food lasts longer by using a feeder box that is weatherproof.

7. Use Locking Tools

Lock it up: Simple solutions for a deer feeder that keeps bears out.
Lock it up: Simple solutions for a deer feeder that keeps bears out.

Strong locks and secure lids are a simple but effective solution. I put a padlock on my feeder’s lid, and it made a significant difference.

Items that may come in handy:

  • Tough Outdoor Padlock: Add a tough padlock to your deer feeder to protect it from harsh outdoor conditions.
  • Weather-Safe Box Lock: For added security and ease, keep your feeder keys in a durable, weather-resistant lock box.
  • Rust-Proof Security Cables: Further secure your deer feeder with strong, rust-resistant security cables to keep bears away.

8. Attach Shiny Items

Creative reflection: Creating a fashionable and functional bear-proof deer feeder.
Creative reflection: Creating a fashionable and functional bear-proof deer feeder.

Mirrors or reflective tapes have the potential to scare off and confuse bears. I put some old CDs around my feeder, and the reflections have been surprisingly effective.

You might like:

  • Reflective Tape Strips: Use reflective tape in your feeder area to deter bears with surprising reflective effects.
  • Dangling Reflective Mirrors: Hang these mirrors around your feeder to effectively confuse bears and scatter light.
  • Moving Reflective Decor: To deter wildlife with ease, set up spinners to produce constant reflective movement.

9. Fit it into the Surrounding Area

Learn to blend in: A deer feeder designed for the outdoorsman that disappears into the forest.
Learn to blend in: A deer feeder designed for the outdoorsman that disappears into the forest.

Bears may be less likely to notice feeders that blend in with the environment. I once painted my feeder to match the forest, and it seemed to help!

A few things you might like:

  • Camouflage Outdoor Paint: Use camouflage paint to help your feeder merge with nature and discourage unwanted wildlife.
  • Fake Bark Coverings: Make your feeder appear more natural by adding tree bark texture wraps to it.
  • Outdoor Nature Stickers: Get creative with nature-inspired decals to hide your feeder and improve its visual appeal.

10. Use a Fake Feeder

Creative deception: A decoy feeder that is smarter than even the smartest bears.
Creative deception: A decoy feeder that is smarter than even the smartest bears.

To draw bears away from the real one, set up a decoy feeder. It’s funny how frequently bears are deceived by the simple fake feeder I built.

Might be a good match:

  • Fake Deer Feeder: Use this decoy feeder to trick curious bears. It is intended to divert attention smoothly.
  • Outdoor Animal Lens: Use a wildlife lens to record funny bear reactions. The decoy feeder is ideal for monitoring.
  • Deer Feeder Fixings: With this fixings set, improve your feeder setup. Make your decoy believable and practical.