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Waterholes revisited

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StucknAz

Active Member
I’m arriving at my Ohio farms Saturday! Plans to put in some waterholes. I had Mr John Eberhart hunt my place years ago in exchange for him tacking kill trees and giving me orchard locations. Killed 5 bucks in 7 years out of the three trees he tacked for me.

Planning on adding water to these kill locations. Just wondering how many of you prefer a tank vs. how many prefer natural. I have a mini backhoe to dig, just trying to figure out which route to go.
 
The farm I bought last year had water holes already in place and I couldn't believe how well the deer used them. Almost like they prefer them to a pond. I would see all the bucks in the area come to those waterholes while hunting. These were dug into the ground, no tank.
 
I’m budgeting, saw where sturgis was putting in 300 gallon tanks, I may be able to stomach buying a 150 gal but trying to save $ more than anything. Just curious on results…..
 
How much are u guys spending on tanks or set ups? (Not excavator). Those earth ponds or whatever look legit. I’m doing a bunch. Wanna know methods for sure!!
 
Here is a couple of pics I took from the stand last year over a water hole..it held water good even with the drought.
 

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I have a few earth holes that I dug with sister. Deer seem to hit them hard certain times of year but not as much other times. I put them in waterway drainage type areas where they naturally fill. Never tried a tank
 
StucknAz said:
How often do u have to refill
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Last summer was Dry!. Maybe once a week?
This year, water standing in lots of places.

I don't do it « for« the deer as they can go 100 yards to the river.
I do it for fun.
With all the rain we've had this spring, haven't needed to fill it once.
It's more a sorce of social gathering I figger.
 
I have tried several tanks in the past..including 90 gallon synthetic tanks.. These are all way too small. I now have six tire tanks that are 5.5 or 6 ft each in diameter.. These are indestructalbe and hold 300-350 gallons each. Gravel pad with concrete filling the hole..I set these in the ground to a height of 20inch above..Lots of videos on utube. These are the go to for ranchers. I will never look back. I am not filling tanks every week or so and the deer hit these every day.
 
SoDakarcher said:
I have tried several tanks in the past..including 90 gallon synthetic tanks.. These are all way too small. I now have six tire tanks that are 5.5 or 6 ft each in diameter.. These are indestructalbe and hold 300-350 gallons each. Gravel pad with concrete filling the hole..I set these in the ground to a height of 20inch above..Lots of videos on utube. These are the go to for ranchers. I will never look back. I am not filling tanks every week or so and the deer hit these every day.
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How often do u fill those? I know hot summers might change this.
I’m thinking 2 things…. Digging a few with excavator & clearly those be bigger. The mud makes me a bit nervous for midges but I might try a few ideas on keeping them clean.
2nd idea…. Bigger tanks. Like above. Or even putting a huge tank just under the soil level so it gets refilled with rain.
I don’t do anything Mickey Mouse. Wanna go big time & get this right. For sure want something I don’t need fill a lot. Few times a year- sure- could do it. I got a 1000 gallon water tank on wheels. But limited filling or not needing to fill sure sounds nice.
 
I have a heck of a last morning in Ohio planned tomorrow, grabbed 150 gallon tank for water, few cedar post scrape stations to put in, more mocks, screens , and A good 20 pear and crabs to dig and get into there forever home.

Got some tsi done this morning, some mocks, etc…. It’s hot!
 
StucknAz said:
I have a heck of a last morning in Ohio planned tomorrow, grabbed 150 gallon tank for water, few cedar post scrape stations to put in, more mocks, screens , and A good 20 pear and crabs to dig and get into there forever home.

Got some tsi done this morning, some mocks, etc…. It’s hot!
Click to expand...
That’s an AM? Ur an animal!!! Or on a lot of meth! Love the ambition!!!!!!!
 
Sligh,
I top the tanks off 3 or 4 times a year. I try to stay out as much as possible during the fall. Very weather dependent. The tanks are never completely empty. I think a 6 ft tank would give you 400 gallons. I cover a portion of each to cut down on evaporation. Put them in the shade if possible. I can tell you with certainty that the deer will empty a 90 gallon tank in a week of hot weather. These have made my life much better. I will net out the yuck in the spring and then just let them go..
 
It is amazing the wildlife that will use the tanks. Deer, squirrels and birds galore..In fact more than a few pheasants go home with me every Oct.
 
Didn’t get to my tank project done but feel good about my tsi, screens, mocks, and fruit tree transplants. Tank is placed and my pop is gonna use backhoe to dig out the hole once the heat subsides a little. Got a lot of work done, back to Arizona now till late October.

On a positive, Waterhole i dug out last year is being used in one of my plots, added mock next to it. Stand above….
 

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