Apple Cooker

[Hunter Dan]

I read this on another forum...anybody here try it ?

Material: 1 Extra large Tim Horton's coffee can, 1 small coffee can, 1 sturdy coat hanger, 100 pkg of unscented tea candles ($3.50 a package)

Important: Remove labels from cans...Laugh but you'd be surprised!

Step 1: Drill two holes in one side of larger can approx 2" apart and 2" above the bottom of the can...do the same on the opposite side of the can so that one set of holes lines up with the set on the other side....

Step 2: Straighten out the coat hanger...insert it through one hole passing it through the middle of the can and out one of the holes on the other side...cut the hanger so that approx. 3/8" of hanger protudes out each side of the can...bend the extra length against the side of the can so it will not pull through....do the same for the other two holes....you have now created a platform for the inner can to sit on that is suspended above the bottom of the larger can...

Step 3: Place the smaller can inside the larger resting it on the hanger support...center the smaller can in the larger can opening...Now drill two holes 2" down from the top of the larger can ...one on each side of the can so that when you pass another piece of coat hanger through it will be snug against the outside of the inner can...cut the coat hanger to length and bend the ends as per step two above...repeat on the other side...this will secure the inner can in place and keep it from making noise in transit to and from your stand...You will have to bend the upper hanger pieces out a bit to allow for removal of the inner can...adjust these accordingly..

Step 4: Drill 6-8 holes approx. 1" above the bottom of the large can...space these evenly around the perimeter...this allows for oxygen to get at the tea candles and fuels the fire...

Step 5: Drill two holes approx. 1" down from the top of the larger can and opposite each other...using the left over hanger fashion a carrying handle to suit...I covered the outside of my larger can with camo tape but this is not necessary... if you do be careful as the tape is flamable..

Step 6: Place four unscented tea candles in bottom of large can...Hint: Burn the candles for a couple of seconds to remove the wax on the wicks..they will light easier in the field... these candles will burn for four hours without having to be replaced...

Step 7: Slice up one to two small apples and place in smaller coffee can ...add apple juice or water until the apples are covered ...place the plastic lid that came with the can on top to keep it from spilling during transport...I mix this up the night before to let the juice soak into the apples...you may want to add a bit more juice in the morning because you don't want the mixture to boil dry...

Step 8: Take it to the field...we use two at each stand...check wind direction and place accordingly...we place them approx 10 yds out from our stands...the mixture will start to boil in about twenty minutes emitting a strong apple odor that will carry 150 yds in the right wind conditions so light hem as soon as you get to the stand...If you can smell it that far away imagine from how far a deer can detect it!

[Big John]

This is an old method, but works in some situations, not in others.
I have used it for years for Bear with honey and maple syrup.
For deer it may only work if you are using it where Apple trees or orchards are near. If you are nowhere near Apple Trees or Orchards then chances are the smell is foreign to them, may work on a somewhat limited scale, may not.

[peter p]

If the deer can smell the apples down wind, won't they be able to smell your scent also?