Here’s our typical watering hole setups at the end of food plots and kill plots… we always capitalize on a fresh water tributary or spring- they are shallow and about 15’ in diameter

Eagleye that looks quite similar to ours and what we do.

That looks awesome Eagleye

How effective is a big mud hole in a state like WI where water is everywhere naturally? In western states where water may be piped as much as 20 miles to a stock tank , on blm the water must be maintained even after the cattle are gathered up for a few months.

Seen a lot of deer in WI too. Why do you need that kind of stuff just to kill a few?

In my opinion, deer hunting has evolved in Wisconsin since I started hunting over 45 years ago. When I was a kid deer camps consisted of large groups that often orchestrated deer drives from dawn until dusk. Albeit, some of those camps still exist but it’s rare- the advantage now is for private land owners to create habitats that support carrying capacity and meets the hierarchy and needs for deer and other wildlife. Water is just one of those needs, If you have a source near good browse, forage and a bedding area- you’ve checked three important needs. Food, water & shelter

Food, water , and shelter - safety. We cater to the does, girls bring the boys.

This guy has several videos about water holes. He is from MN so it should apply to your area.

Yes, Jeff Sturgis offers many great You Tube videos

I have 55gal barrels out. They are the only thing holding water around here right now.

I looked for a 55 gallon barrel but I couldn't find any that were food grade

The birds like my h20 hole.
If my h20 hole freezes b4 we get snow, it'll be interesting to see if deer come in for a lick
If an artificial water tub freezes, hopefully it doesn't crack

Those gnat's and other bugs spread CWD etc.

I put mine out about a month ago. I could be wrong but I figure if a person waits to put it out til bow season starts there's probably not a problem. In a way I'm surprised the state allows it in my County. It's illegal to bait here.

With these extremely warm temps I haven't had issues w/ freezing yet

WV Danimal - beautiful work!

Eagleye - that is the best way I have found to do it! Nice work!

Beginning of October when the new logging road was completed, we dropped in (3) in culverts and dished out the downstream side to capture some of the sheetwash- here's a poor pic from last week but they all look like African watering holes- track on top of track.

We got early snow this year, prematurely eliminating the benefiy of my h20 hole the past week. Starting tomorrow it's going to warm up quite a bit. It could be interesting to see if they hit it

I am going to wait at least another month before I put my water tub out for the year. I figure that way there is less risk of spreading blue tongue in deer.

If you have a hillside to work with, just dig a shallow trench going across the hillside, that dips very slightly to a middle point. Put a perforated PVC drain pipe in the bottom of the trench and shallowly bury it. Put the excess dirt on the downhill side of the trench to make a berm. At the center dip, T in a solid PVC pipe and run it downhill to a tank or hole. Put some Gambusia affinis (mosquito fish) in the tank or hole, once filled, to eat the mosquito and fly larvae. Rain, snow melt and even heavy dew will refill the tank.

Keith

I do have a hill to work with. I'll have to think about this more to see if I can fully understand what you are talking about

Thanks