A thin cone of plastic (think cone of shame for a pet) around each leg will stop coons but squirrels can probably jump above it and are probably light enough that it wouldn't collapse and dump them if they tried to climb past it.I have a deer feeder set up in a valley where I hunt. The problem is the raccoons and the squirrels think it is their feeder.
It's gotten so bad both have figured out how to climb the tripod legs to get to the spinner plate on the feeder. So bad, in fact, they have actually chewed the wires to the solar panel I have that charges the 6 volt battery. In fact, one of those two varmints have actually pulled the 6 volt battery out of the plastic box. Somehow they unlatched the door and pulled the charger leads off !
I tried putting duct tape spiked with thumb tacks and exposed safety pins on the three legs. Didn't stop them.
Was thinking about a wire electric fence system but have no electricity to the area. I've looked at "systems" that could be battery powered - but they are kind of on the expensive side. Any suggestions on how to prevent the critters from getting to the corn spinner plate or where to get an electric fence system. EBay, Tractor supply, Harbor Freight, - -.
TIA