Watering hole? Pros and cons

[Smokinbenelli]

I have an area on the side of my mountain that a spring fills our holding tank. I often thought about having the overflow run into a pooling area for a watering hole. My question is, is it even worth my time since they could just drink it right from the ground or do you think they would utilize a fresh source of pooling water? If you think they would use it, how big of pool or trough would be good? I would have it set up to have a constant flow of water? Thanks for your thoughts and input

 

[OkieKubota]

In our area deer would prefer to drink from a mudhole than a clear flowing stream...

 

[Elkaddict]

My experience is mature bucks will prefer a mudhole to a metal or plastic tank with fresher water. Does and young bucks less so. Seen it many times.

 

[dogghr]

I have placed several small waterholes, and while they get used some, not a big attraction as some areas. But I do think they would prefer a muddy hole as has been said. I think areas of the NE tend to have enough green growth that our deer get most their water needs from their browse. I would do it, but not so sure it will be a hunting attraction. With that said, I plan to add another. So go figure.

 

[Smokinbenelli]

I have placed several small waterholes, and while they get used some, not a big attraction as some areas. But I do think they would prefer a muddy hole as has been said. I think areas of the NE tend to have enough green growth that our deer get most their water needs from their browse. I would do it, but not so sure it will be a hunting attraction. With that said, I plan to add another. So go figure.

I'm not thinking about it for a hunting attraction, more or less just a convenience for the animals. Maybe I'll just take the loader and dig a little hole and put a camera up to see if anything uses it.

 

[whiskeybent]

Water holes are awesome.

 

[whiskeybent]

 

[JFK52]

I put in a 5K square foot pond on my property. The nearest natural water sources are over a 1 1/2 miles away. I needed to get a $25 permit from the zoning office to dig my pond. It is plumbed with it's own pump in a 6 inch rotary drilled well and a computer system that pumps water to it during the off peak electric rate times. It is a great draw for all types of wildlife. I made it real simple to winterize by just using a valve system and an air compressor. One of the really great improvements I did on my land. I also have areas where I have placed some food grade 55 gallon drums cut in half as rain water catchers. They get used also.

 

[CTM1]

I have thought about adding a watering hole at the bottom of my largest field, but given I have a spring that flows down the mountain and a brook that flows into a beaver pond within a couple of hundred yards it makes me wonder if it would be worth it.

 

[Rickey]

I have a few holes someone years back dug on my property but they don't hold water. I have filled one in and there a couple left. I am filling one more in eventually but the other would make a good watering hole. It's in a bottom but all sand. I remember watching a video on the old forum about sealing ponds so they don't leak. What was that powder used and do you think it would work for this?

 

[boot]

Ive tried using a watering hole, but its just too dry and our irrigation system tends to suck out most of the ground water, so I use the Banks Wild Water, holds 80 gallons, works great! Super durable, have two I've been running year round for three years and zero complaints.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I have a few holes someone years back dug on my property but they don't hold water. I have filled one in and there a couple left. I am filling one more in eventually but the other would make a good watering hole. It's in a bottom but all sand. I remember watching a video on the old forum about sealing ponds so they don't leak. What was that powder used and do you think it would work for this?

I bought liners from Auquabiologist from Fon Du Lac. This one cost me about $100. One year in I am very happy. It wouldn't hold water without the liner. The deer used it immediately

 

[Deadeye53]

Water holes are awesome.

How do you have your water holes set up?

 

[GBear]

There is logic/instinct hypothesis in the mud hole preference for most wildlife....and some domesticated animals. Any minerals they may be missing from their feed may be present in the mud water. It would be interesting to see if there is a difference between piped in water from springs and water drip right off of mossy ledges..... Experiment for me next year.... Note: I have lots of reports here in the northeast of Kale fields grazed to nothing with the clover and barley planted specifically for deer fodder left alone. Kale is known to have high mineral content.....just a note if anyone else is experimenting. and wants to share....I hate Kale

 

[1100LT20]

What a difference a region makes…here in the southeast, I’ve seen Bayou kale with giant leaves after deer season(February) as if the deer avoided it purposely.

 

[swat1018]

I would never create a mud hole. If you could use the Banks system, or a tank, yes. I can't get a buck to mature with the EHD I already deal with.