Partners - Sweeney Feeders Article

Sweeney Feeders Names Ray Scott as Spokesman

   For many years, this Texas, family-built company has made wildlife feeders a growing business…

PINTLALA, Alabama – Ray Scott, the man who changed bass fishing from a weekend past time to a multi-billion dollar outdoor recreation, today announced that he will serve as national spokesman for Sweeney Enterprises, Inc., the oldest manufacturer of wildlife feeders and automated nutritional feeding systems for fish and game.

Sweeney Enterprises, located in Boerne, Texas – amid the Lone Star state’s celebrated Hill Country – has aided hunters, fishermen, pond owners and game managers with their wildlife feeding programs.

Scott, who in 1968 organized the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) that resulted in the mushroom growth of bass fishing’s popularity, and in 1986 founded the Whitetail Institute of North America, and Zach Sweeney, president of Sweeney, made the joint announcement.

“Ray Scott is the biggest name in bass fishing. His impact on the sport is well documented,” said Zach Sweeney.

“We are excited and look forward to working side-by-side with Ray to grow our automated feeding business.  The importance of good nutrition for deer herds and management has been proven by his Whitetail Institute’s efforts and the increase in record-size bucks in the Boone and Crockett book.

“Having Ray Scott as spokesman for Sweeney products is like the seal of approval in the outdoors,” concluded Sweeney.

“My decision to represent Zach’s company is two fold,” explained Scott, the head of Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc., a marketing and consulting group for the outdoors industry, based in Pintlala , Alabama .

“First, Sweeney Feeders are the best in the field,” said Scott.  “There’s no shortchanging on quality.  Dependable is the word.  And, as an endorser, Ray Scott’s not just a figurehead spokesman.  I’ve used Sweeney-made feeders on my trophy bass lakes and as feeding stations on hunting lands in Alabama and Saskatchewan , Canada .  I’ve recommended Sweeney feeders to pond owners and game managers long before I met Mr. Zach Sweeney, the son of the late John Sweeney.”

In addition to appearances and other official spokesperson activities, Scott will be featured in national magazine and print advertisements and television commercials to promote sales of Sweeney wildlife and fish feeding systems, as well as, educate hunters and landowners on the importance and value to supplemental feeding of “critters.”

“Ray’s not only a voice in the bass fishing marketplace,” said Sweeney, “but, equally well known among avid deer hunters, as the leader in improving deer management for trophy animals and his Whitetail News publication.  The 200,000 readers of his publication represent the core of the sportsmen working to benefit deer management.”

Scott said a long-term agreement was signed.  “I’m very pleased to be associated with the best brand in its field.  They’ve long been the leaders, and their lineup of innovative, long-lasting products comes down to one word – dependable.   Their company slogan tells it all: ‘Feeding On Time, Every Time For A Long Time’.”

Founded in 1968 by John and Doris Sweeney, the elder Sweeney owned a clock and speedometer repair shop.  A few customers brought in some crude, homemade timing devices for cattle feeding.  Seeing the need and market prospects, Sweeney developed a unique deer feeding system in early 1970. 

Over the past three decades, the family operated business has grown to be the largest manufacturer of game feeders for deer, turkey, quail, livestock and fish feeders for hatcheries and raising fish in ponds and lakes.  In addition, specialty feeders designed for Koi and other ornamental fish, wild birds and the family dog.

Scott’s background as a builder of “Great Small Waters” to produce trophy bass fishing in small lakes and ponds is evidence of the use of fish feeders.  Some recent introduction of “pellet-fed bass” stocking is opening eyes of pond owners.

“I’ve used fish feeders for building a forage base in my lakes with bluegill,” said Scott.  “But, it’s proven to my satisfaction you can train largemouth bass to eat a high-protein food.”

In test-lake studies, Scott has documented 1 ½-pound largemouth bass growing to over 3-pounds in under 18 months.  Other reports reveal the stocking of pellet-trained largemouth bass reaching over 8-pounds in 3 to 4 years.

“Supplemental feeding for deer and bass produces quality,” vows Scott, who in 1972 changed the way as anglers adopted “catch and release” for bass fishing.

“As the ‘Don’t Kill Your Catch’ movement changed the future of the bass fishery resource in this country, recognizing the importance of good nutrition and supplemental feeding will do the same for deer management,” Scott predicts.

“I’m proud to be associated with Sweeney Feeders and their efforts to improve wildlife management,” said Scott.