I made one for some Barred owls on my property here in Fl. Took them 2 years to start using it, but they finally did. Set up a trail cam as well, got some pretty cool footage of the prey they bring to the babies. Mounting was a challenge, it weighed about 25 lbs. I screwed a long lag bolt partially into the tree and threw a rope over it and hoisted the box up that way. Much easier than toting it up a ladder. Make sure you put about 3 inches of wood shavings in the bottom. They don't make their own nest, without shavings or something like grass, etc in it they won't use it. Great job btw, the piece of curved PT on the back was a great idea. P. S. Correct hole size should be 7x7 minimum. Barred owls are huge, I'd make your entrance a bit bigger. The 3.5 size you mentioned is for a Screech owl which are much smaller.
Thanks, the lag bolt is a good idea. I just took a look at my box last week while deer hunting. I didn’t see any signs of owls, but I heard owls “hooting” in the woods where the box is hung. I’ll have to check the wood shavings inside.
@@oxford821 Sometimes squirrels or something else will set up shop in there first, hard to prevent that. Once the owls set their sights on it they will run the squatters off in short order.
Looks awesome!! I really don't think you'll have any problems with the chemicals in the Polyurethane on the outside of the box. However, they do make a water based outdoor polyurethane which I'm going to try. BTW... You can do some awesome BBQ with that left over Pecan wood!!
Thanks, I have a couple crates full of scrape pecan wood I’ll try in the BBQ! This winter I’ll make some wren and bluebird houses to put around the fields out of the wood also.
I made one for some Barred owls on my property here in Fl. Took them 2 years to start using it, but they finally did. Set up a trail cam as well, got some pretty cool footage of the prey they bring to the babies. Mounting was a challenge, it weighed about 25 lbs. I screwed a long lag bolt partially into the tree and threw a rope over it and hoisted the box up that way. Much easier than toting it up a ladder. Make sure you put about 3 inches of wood shavings in the bottom. They don't make their own nest, without shavings or something like grass, etc in it they won't use it. Great job btw, the piece of curved PT on the back was a great idea. P. S. Correct hole size should be 7x7 minimum. Barred owls are huge, I'd make your entrance a bit bigger. The 3.5 size you mentioned is for a Screech owl which are much smaller.
Thanks, the lag bolt is a good idea. I just took a look at my box last week while deer hunting. I didn’t see any signs of owls, but I heard owls “hooting” in the woods where the box is hung. I’ll have to check the wood shavings inside.
@@oxford821 Sometimes squirrels or something else will set up shop in there first, hard to prevent that. Once the owls set their sights on it they will run the squatters off in short order.
@@Mopar-yd3ly Right on, I have lots of raccoons around. I investigate!
came out looking pretty good.
Thanks Joe!
Great Job I just made one then made 4 more for my Golf Culb he in Vienna Vir. was trying to send picture but won't let me .
Thank you and good luck with your boxes!
Looks great. Be interesting to see if they nest in it. Definitely looks heavy
Thanks, I think I’m gonna mount a cell trail camera up the tree facing the box to see what happens!
Looks awesome!! I really don't think you'll have any problems with the chemicals in the Polyurethane on the outside of the box. However, they do make a water based outdoor polyurethane which I'm going to try. BTW... You can do some awesome BBQ with that left over Pecan wood!!
Thanks, I have a couple crates full of scrape pecan wood I’ll try in the BBQ! This winter I’ll make some wren and bluebird houses to put around the fields out of the wood also.
I call them in anytime I want,got three boxes in S C
Nice!
I would've gone with some bees wax instead
That’s a great idea!