How to Choose the Best Waterhole Placement for Deer: Tips for the Upcoming Hunting Season
When is the Best Time to Put in a Waterhole for Deer: Spring is the perfect season to start strategizing where to place water holes for deer. Deer require water daily, typically consuming 3-5 quarts for every 100 pounds of body weight. Mature bucks can drink several gallons a day, depending on environmental conditions. In dry, warm weather, water sources become crucial, making them key areas to target to increase your chances of success this fall. Getting waterholes in early during the spring will give deer a chance to find them and feel comfortable about using them as their new water source. When temperatures start to climb in late spring and throughout the summer months, deer become dependent on the water and this becomes a primary spot to use my Stealth Cameras for inventorying my deer herd.
Placing Waterholes for Deer: Don’t overlook the basics. If you already have food plots with stands and blinds set up, you might be missing a vital element: water. I prefer to establish a deer pond within my food plots. This setup conveniently provides both food and water in one location, creating an appealing environment for deer.
You might have witnessed deer feeding in your plots, only for them to suddenly stop and leave. This often indicates they are seeking a nearby water source. By providing water in your plot or near your stand, you can offer a close shot opportunity and keep the deer from leaving the area, reducing the risk of them vacating your property altogether.
Improve Your Hunting Strategy: Consider adding water sources in remote areas of your property that currently lack them. Typically, water is found in the bottoms of valleys, while ridge tops tend to be dry. Isolated ridge tops can be ideal for placing water, offering deer security and isolation while keeping them near their bedding areas. However, hunting these remote water sources carries the risk of bumping deer during your approach.
Can you Have to Much Water: Can you have too many ponds on your property? It depends on the layout of your land. If you are attracting deer from various bedding areas and have multiple food plots, it makes sense to have water sources at each location. However, if water sources start competing with each other, it may overwhelm the deer with too many options.
EHD Prevention: If you hunt in Midwestern states like Iowa, Missouri, or Illinois, you may have encountered Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), a viral disease that can be fatal to mature deer. This disease is often transmitted by midges (tiny biting flies commonly known as "no-see-ums") that thrive around water and emerge from mud banks along water edges. During hot, dry summers, lowered water levels expose these mud banks, leading deer to congregate at water sources and become susceptible to the disease. While EHD has traditionally been seen in western states, it has now spread eastward, impacting the Midwest and Eastern States. To help control EHD, managing mud around water sources is essential. By removing mud banks from existing waterholes and ponds, you can help control the disease.Deer ponds, with their hard surfaces, lack mud at the water's edge, preventing midge hatching.
Can you Have to Much Water: Can you have too many ponds on your property? It depends on the layout of your land. If you are attracting deer from various bedding areas and have multiple food plots, it makes sense to have water sources at each location. However, if water sources start competing with each other, it may overwhelm the deer with too many options.
EHD Prevention: If you hunt in Midwestern states like Iowa, Missouri, or Illinois, you may have encountered Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), a viral disease that can be fatal to mature deer. This disease is often transmitted by midges (tiny biting flies commonly known as "no-see-ums") that thrive around water and emerge from mud banks along water edges. During hot, dry summers, lowered water levels expose these mud banks, leading deer to congregate at water sources and become susceptible to the disease. While EHD has traditionally been seen in western states, it has now spread eastward, impacting the Midwest and Eastern States. To help control EHD, managing mud around water sources is essential. By removing mud banks from existing waterholes and ponds, you can help control the disease.Deer ponds, with their hard surfaces, lack mud at the water's edge, preventing midge hatching.
Using Economical Water Systems for Deer: There are cheap alternatives for water systems like kiddie pools or black mineral tubs.Yes, they hold water but they certainly come with limitations and functionality issues. If you don't mind looking at unnatural bright plastic colors or designs while in your stand, they might work for you. However, deer may shy away from these artificial-looking alternatives. If a fawn grows up using an unnatural source like a kiddie pool, it may feel safe returning, but putting these cheap alternatives out there and expecting immediate results won't generally work in your favor. The straight edges of these pools or containers can prevent deer from drinking as water levels drop as well, and small animals can become trapped, contaminating the water. These inexpensive alternatives are often only effective for one-time use. In contrast, deer ponds can be relocated and refilled, and their natural dirt-infused exterior blends seamlessly with the environment. The sloped edges allow deer to drink even when water levels are low and smaller animals can easily escape without getting trapped.
Keeping your Ponds Clean: We use a water tank in the back of our truck to maintain our ponds, and in remote areas where truck access is difficult, we transport water with our Polaris Ranger and Grizzly Cooler, simply draining the cooler to fill the ponds. We don't worry about minor algae growth unless it becomes excessive. In Minnesota, the cooler temperatures usually prevent significant blooms, but if you do encounter this issue, flushing the pond with fresh water is recommended. If debris like leaves and silt accumulates at the bottom, a garden rake or shovel can easily clean it up in just a few sweeps.
Keeping your Ponds Clean: We use a water tank in the back of our truck to maintain our ponds, and in remote areas where truck access is difficult, we transport water with our Polaris Ranger and Grizzly Cooler, simply draining the cooler to fill the ponds. We don't worry about minor algae growth unless it becomes excessive. In Minnesota, the cooler temperatures usually prevent significant blooms, but if you do encounter this issue, flushing the pond with fresh water is recommended. If debris like leaves and silt accumulates at the bottom, a garden rake or shovel can easily clean it up in just a few sweeps.
Now is the time to take action and plan for the upcoming season. Establishing water sources in your hunting setups can significantly enhance your chances of spotting that elusive buck. Start by adding water in front of your favorite setup and observe the results. Good luck!