Water holes

[Rockhound]

Anyone following the guy on habitat solutions and put any of these in? I'm very tempted to put one in place. I'd love to do it in my food plot, but from what I read, full sunlight is a draw for midges, and it needs placed in the shade .

 

[JCDEERMAN]

We have 6 on our place. I wish we did not have them. Actually thinking about filling them in whenever we get a dozer up there next. We have a pond in the middle of the property for water and creeks on bordering properties. Like you, I want to try and limit the midges. I believe we lost 60% of our herd last year to EHD.

 

[DeerCamp]

Anyone following the guy on habitat solutions and put any of these in? I'm very tempted to put one in place. I'd love to do it in my food plot, but from what I read, full sunlight is a draw for midges, and it needs placed in the shade

Yes. I put 2 of them in in areas on the property that are more than 200 yards from water.

Can't say they are a magne (that is, bringing in deer that wouldn't otherwise be there), but I get pictures of all kinds of critters drinking out of them including mature bucks. Certainly don't think they hurt, and probably help a little, especially for thirsty bucks on the move.

 

[Popcorn]

We have several watering holes due to distance to water during dryer periods. I maintain them by cleaning them out every few years as they fill up with cat tails and willows. I believe they need to be large enough and deep enough that the water remains somewhat fresh, at least not stagnant. Shade never hurts but leaves will fill your hole and tree roots will cause it to leak. On occasion I rework one and seal the bottom with bentonite clay. I believe midges are attracted to warm, stagnant water, I consider our holes healthy if they have frogs and dont stink.

(edit)
It helps a lot to build them where the runoff from the food plot will drain into the hole which keeps it full through more of the year and the water more fresh. but remember to create a spillway to manage overflow so it does not cause bad erosion.