Budget Waterholes

Several years back I acquired a small 60 acre permission farm in southern Iowa. Like all hunters who finally get permission on a new piece of ground you can't wait to get boots on the ground and scout an area you have been eying for quite some time. The farm was comprised of 30 acres of hardwoods with the remaining 30 acres in 1st year CRP. A truly beautiful piece of southern Iowa ground that had been mostly untouched for several years. As we walked the ground that summer the excitement built with all the visible history. Trails down to the dirt and rubs lines the size of your thigh had us dreaming of what old bruiser could be calling these woods home come fall.

As the camera's went out, we waited with anticipation. As the summer months turned to fall our anticipation turned to disappointment, and then to concern. The camera's were yielding little to no deer and all those down to the dirt trails all but fizzling away. Our hopes of connecting with one of these giant southern Iowa whitetails we had been dreaming about were quickly fading. As we stepped back and asked ourselves how a property with so much buck sign and potential was suddenly all but void of deer the 3 basics to whitetail survival came to mind (Food, Water and Shelter). We had the shelter but what was once 30 acres of crop ground was now CRP and water....non existent. Being too late in the year to address the possibility of plots, water was the only solution.

For many whitetail hunters, the idea of creating a waterhole sounds like an expensive and impossible project. Images of heavy equipment, excavators, or elaborate watering systems can make it seem like a project reserved for hunters with deep pockets. The truth is that a small, strategically placed waterhole can be one of the most affordable and successful habitat improvements you can make.

In many situations, a 50- to 100-gallon stock tank, a heavy-duty trough, or even a small storage tote can provide the water deer need while giving you an opportunity to create a predictable attraction. The key isn't spending lots of money or renting heavy equipment. It's placement. A cheap waterhole in the right location can be far more valuable than an expensive one in the wrong spot.

Why Waterholes Matter

Whitetails need water throughout the year, although the importance of water can vary depending on weather, available food, cover, and the natural water sources on your property. During hot summer months, water can become particularly attractive. Deer may visit water while moving between bedding and feeding areas, and in dry conditions a dependable water source can become part of their daily routine.

For hunters, the biggest advantage is predictability.

Large Ag fields and plots can draw deer across a large area, but water can sometimes be used to encourage deer to stop at a specific location or pull them on to a small property if nearby water is not readily available. If a waterhole is positioned along an existing travel route, near bedding cover, or between bedding and feeding areas, it can become a useful part of a hunting setup. That doesn't mean every deer in the neighborhood will suddenly abandon a nearby creek or pond and use your waterhole. But, those that do travel nearby you can position right in your lap come fall.

The $20 Waterhole

You don't need an expensive setup. One of the easiest options is a small stock tank or even a well made storage tote from your local hardware store. A lot of times you can pick up used stock tanks from local farmers for cheap as well.

Avoid containers that may have held chemicals or other substances harmful to wildlife.

A smaller tank is often easier to hide and maintain. You also don't necessarily want a giant body of water. A modest waterhole can be enough to accomplish the purpose, particularly if it is positioned correctly.

Once you've selected the container, think about how you're going to keep it filled.

The simplest option is manual filling. If you have access to a nearby water source, a couple of inexpensive hoses or several trips with water containers may be all that's required. That first year we used two 27 gallon storage totes we picked up for under $10 a piece at a local hardware store. We buried them up to the rim and would haul 5 gallon buckets of water down once a week to keep them full.

If your budget allows, you can swap these out later for larger stock tanks which I have done on most my water holes. A larger tank does allow for less visits and when positioned in a valley or under the timber canopy may stay full year round eliminating the need to haul water.

Location Is More Important Than Size

One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is assuming that bigger is better. A couple 27 gallon storage totes placed directly beside a major deer trail can be more effective as a 500-gallon tank sitting in an open area where deer have little reason to visit. When choosing a location, look for places where deer naturally travel. A subtle bend in a trail, the edge of thick cover, a small opening, or a natural transition between timber and brush can all be worth considering.

You also want to think about the wind and potential stand location. If you plan to hunt over the waterhole, your stand needs to be positioned so your scent doesn't blow toward approaching deer. This is one reason it's important to plan the waterhole and hunting position at the same time. Don't build the waterhole first and figure out the stand later. Instead, ask yourself:

If a mature buck comes to drink from this waterhole, where do I want to be sitting?

Then determine whether the prevailing wind and terrain will allow you to hunt that location safely.

Use Existing Deer Trails

Your goal shouldn't be to make deer find the waterhole from scratch. Instead, place the waterhole where deer already travel. If deer are already using a particular trail between bedding and feeding areas, a nearby waterhole may encourage them to stop.

Don't place the tank directly in the middle of a heavily used trail. You want deer to naturally discover it while moving through the area. This is especially useful when creating a small waterhole near a staging area. Deer can move from bedding cover toward a food source, stop for water, spend a few minutes in the area, and continue toward the food. That short stop creates an opportunity for a hunter to intercept the movement without forcing deer into an unnatural pattern.

Make It Feel Secure

Security is everything when dealing with mature whitetails. A buck may visit a waterhole in an open area during daylight if he's accustomed to the location, but your odds improve dramatically when the water source feels safe. Use existing vegetation and cover whenever possible. A small opening surrounded by brush can be excellent. So can the edge of the timber, a secluded timber pocket, or a tucked-away corner of thick cover. Avoid clearing a giant area around the tank. Instead, make the smallest amount of disturbance necessary to install it. This is especially important on smaller properties. Every unnecessary trip, chainsaw cut, or vehicle movement can educate deer. A budget waterhole should also be a low-impact project.

Don't Overdo the Human Pressure

This is where many man made water holes go wrong. A hunter gets excited about a new waterhole, checks it every day, moves the camera repeatedly, trims branches, adjusts the tank, and visits the area several times each week. The deer notice. The best waterhole is one you can install and leave alone. Set up your trail camera in a location that allows you to monitor activity without repeatedly entering the area. Check it only when necessary, and consider accessing the waterhole during conditions when your presence will have the least impact.

Think About Water Quality

Clean water matters. A waterhole that becomes stagnant, contaminated, or filled with algae isn't something you want wildlife drinking from. Inspect the tank regularly, especially during hot weather. Remove excessive debris and make sure the container isn't developing leaks. Every water hole I place always has a large branch leading out of the water hole. This allows for any critters that may fall in a way out.

In closing, a budget water hole is a highly effective tool for attracting mature whitetails that won't brake the bank. A minimal investment and some sweat equity could land the buck of your dreams right in your lap come fall.