It was fantastic, I was so touched by Rays testimony… tears were hard to hold back. I loved seeing the water hole set up, it really gave my Honey perspective how they work… not a random pond. My favorite habitat part was the bedding area. Thank you Jesus! Jeff you have an amazing team, they all rocked it! John, was so helpful with the seeds I won too!!
I ran a heater out to my tank for the winter months, North Dakota so long winter, I would say it was absolutely worth it. When all other water sources freeze over I notice a jump in activity hitting the water every year.
I use waterholes (110 gallon) in Buffalo County and they work awesome on tops where crops are located and no other water near by. The one thing I would talk about, water getting "green" in summer with little rain. I usually mix a small cup of bleach and stir. Doesn't harm the deer with that small ppm. Keeps water good, until colder weather kicks in. When cold weather hits, no problem anymore. So, I might have to do this 2-3 times in a year.
Hi Holmes...I would never mix anything with the water. No reason to ever clean it unless so etching does in it. Every natural waterhole has scum and bugs in it, and deer expect that. If you add anything...add a frog! Natural is always best...
This was great and answered a TON of questions I had with water holes. I experimented with one for the first time last year and I had great deer movement around it, but I'm always looking at ways to improve especially as I plan to add 4 more water holes this summer. Also, can you do a video on e-bikes and how you use them for hunting? Do you ride right to your stand with it, do you use it to get to hard to reach stand locations, etc. I hunt hilly terrain in Pepin County and I'm heavily looking into investing in an e-bike.
I noticed you don't like to do this, but what I did when I had a water tub was leave it on top of the ground. The deer could still get to the water when the tank got a little low.. The one thing I did notice that made me dig it out nearly a foot, was the fawns had a little trouble getting to the water when the tank got low. The deer never had issue sticking their head down into the tank. I just used a 100gallon rubbermaid. Now I have a pond on my property that is encompassed by all my hunting area and a creek on the backside so I have zero need for a water hole on this property, but they are very beneficial! EDIT: just got to the part where you talk about the deer stepping down into them to get to the low water.
Just added a 300 gallon Rubbermaid. Hopefully not finding a bear taking a bath on the cellular cam lol Thanks Jeff for all the great advise with property management, everything added definitely works!! Two Thumbs up
Jeff this was just so fantastic thank you for sharing this. You are truly a man of God. Doing this to help out Camp Kicking Bear is is incredible thank you!
Man! I'm going to fill in my creek and get me a 300gal.tank...narrow things down a little. Lol No, i can think of a few really good spots that could be beneficial to the deer and myself. Thanks for sharing your camp kicking bear experience and hope you raised some big bucks for the kids!
@@alexpinnow6509 it was great meeting YOU!! Really enjoyed talking to you too, and I appreciate you answering comments for me 😊 Just not enough time in the day and you do a very good job!!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 you're very welcome, any small thing I can do to assist in such quality content is worth it. It's a good test of me being able to retain and apply your methods!
Jeff - great video as always. I don't miss any of your content! I'd love to see a short video more focused on switchgrass maintenance if you ever run out of ideas for your videos. Keep up the good work!
Hi Denny...don't get fired, ha. 100' is good but it can be much less if the deer are bedding dry and it is on the way to an afternoon food source. Then the elevation doesn't matter...
On a property that is very very thick, and bedding is possible anywhere. Where do you recommend putting the water holes? I understand they should be between bedding and food, but the bedding could literally be anywhere with a thick property. Would it be best to just spread them around the property and do trail cam surveys?
Would it be advantageous to add some type of dissolvable mineral or wormer to improve the deers overall health instead of just plain water? I wouldn’t add anything though until the water hole was established and used frequently by deer and other animals.
You definitely do not want to add anything at all...natural is always best. They are used to algae, mosquitoes, mud, sticks, leaves...any change of scent will turn a waterhole sour.
Hey Jeff, there was a question answered on the video I couldn't hear so well, maybe you can help. I curious if you have found a particular distance you need between the water hole and the mock scrape?
Most of the videos I've watched on water holes, I've noticed they tend to be in a shaded area. Is this a rule of thumb you use when considering locations for a new water hole?
Yes Michael he did mention in person he likes shaded areas to help avoid evaporation from being sun baked all day. The shaded areas (pretty general statement here) tend to be more secluded too. I.e. he's not placing them right on a field edge, they are set back off the edge to help control flow through his property.
The main reason to switch over to 300 ga tanks after years of using 100-150 ga tanks was to hopefully not run out of water like you did last year correct?
Yes...also so thru can step inside easier. I still like the 110 and 150...just not s fan kf the 100 gallon Rubbermaid because the opening is too narrow. The 110 and 150 are a great ratio...the 300 is really nice! So, I have better access to folks with machinery to dig the waterhole in as well. I personally wouldn't shovel a 300 gallon in...I would look for the 110 gallon in that case. The 110 is 2" more shallow than the 100 so the opening appears much larger.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I can remove those 110G tanks off your hands if needed Jeff (will even pay)! Really enjoyed the drive to your place let alone the property!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 We were able to dig out a spot for a 300 ga tank in less than hour with two people in a loamy fine sand this afternoon. If it would have been heavier soil I agree 100% on getting additional equipment.
Would it be worth it for me to try a water hole in upstate NY? Just curious, we have lots of natural springs and trickles and ponds so I would assume deer wouldn’t use it... I could be wrong though
Is it too Late to put in a water hole late July? It’s definitely on my list for my location only fear is if I put it in now will I be spooking the deer. Or is it never too late for water holes?
I’m in NJ and it’s impossible to keep the bear out of it :/ I did screw down a couple boards across the tank. But I’m afraid a buck will get his head or his horns caught in there. Any suggestions for what to do? Should I completely cover it and then take the cover off in the fall?
Just put in first waterhole ever last week and it's littered with tracks ! Thank you so much for helping so many hunters 👍🏼🌾🦌🏹
Man I love hearing that David! Enjoy it! Really appreciate you guys watching!
@Number 1 Fan just hung the camera at 7am this morning... thanks man !
Did your buckwheat pop up ?
Mines up nice 👍🏼
@Number 1 Fan all this rain will help 👍🏼🌾
It was fantastic, I was so touched by Rays testimony… tears were hard to hold back. I loved seeing the water hole set up, it really gave my Honey perspective how they work… not a random pond. My favorite habitat part was the bedding area. Thank you Jesus! Jeff you have an amazing team, they all rocked it! John, was so helpful with the seeds I won too!!
Kept waiting for the call that I won the hunt, but no luck, Glad you had a good turnout this year. Thanks again for what you do to help everyone.
Hi Scott...Tyler Thede won it from eastern WI...maybe next year!! It was a great event...such incredible, humbling support for such a great cause!
Have 1 more water hole to install! Corn is coming up and so is switchgrass! Now just waiting to do my buck wheat in a few weeks
I ran a heater out to my tank for the winter months, North Dakota so long winter, I would say it was absolutely worth it. When all other water sources freeze over I notice a jump in activity hitting the water every year.
This video answered all my questions Jeff, thank you brother!
That's great Andy you are very welcome!
"...a thoughtful suggestion..." Perfect for my woods!
I use waterholes (110 gallon) in Buffalo County and they work awesome on tops where crops are located and no other water near by. The one thing I would talk about, water getting "green" in summer with little rain. I usually mix a small cup of bleach and stir. Doesn't harm the deer with that small ppm. Keeps water good, until colder weather kicks in. When cold weather hits, no problem anymore. So, I might have to do this 2-3 times in a year.
Hi Holmes...I would never mix anything with the water. No reason to ever clean it unless so etching does in it. Every natural waterhole has scum and bugs in it, and deer expect that. If you add anything...add a frog! Natural is always best...
This was great and answered a TON of questions I had with water holes. I experimented with one for the first time last year and I had great deer movement around it, but I'm always looking at ways to improve especially as I plan to add 4 more water holes this summer. Also, can you do a video on e-bikes and how you use them for hunting? Do you ride right to your stand with it, do you use it to get to hard to reach stand locations, etc. I hunt hilly terrain in Pepin County and I'm heavily looking into investing in an e-bike.
I noticed you don't like to do this, but what I did when I had a water tub was leave it on top of the ground. The deer could still get to the water when the tank got a little low.. The one thing I did notice that made me dig it out nearly a foot, was the fawns had a little trouble getting to the water when the tank got low. The deer never had issue sticking their head down into the tank. I just used a 100gallon rubbermaid. Now I have a pond on my property that is encompassed by all my hunting area and a creek on the backside so I have zero need for a water hole on this property, but they are very beneficial!
EDIT: just got to the part where you talk about the deer stepping down into them to get to the low water.
If I did that here in WV, the deer would spook to the next county. All depends on where you’re located.
Thanks Jeff! Really enjoyed this one!
Site thing Isaac!!
Just added a 300 gallon Rubbermaid. Hopefully not finding a bear taking a bath on the cellular cam lol Thanks Jeff for all the great advise with property management, everything added definitely works!! Two Thumbs up
Jeff this was just so fantastic thank you for sharing this. You are truly a man of God. Doing this to help out Camp Kicking Bear is is incredible thank you!
If you have this camp next year I’m gonna come check it out
Would love yo have you Keith! Will likely be on Father's day...
Put a little mineral salt block broke up it helps keep it from freezing
Great video, Jeff! Thank you again!
Man!
I'm going to fill in my creek and get me a 300gal.tank...narrow things down a little. Lol
No, i can think of a few really good spots that could be beneficial to the deer and myself. Thanks for sharing your camp kicking bear experience and hope you raised some big bucks for the kids!
That sounds great Tim 😊 We raided over 25K this year...was incredible!!
Excited to see how the mega waterhole lays out and what it brings come fall!
Me too Alex...and man, great to see you on Saturday!!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 you as well Jeff! Great to meet you and Dylan while getting a glimpse into the farm!!
@@alexpinnow6509 it was great meeting YOU!! Really enjoyed talking to you too, and I appreciate you answering comments for me 😊 Just not enough time in the day and you do a very good job!!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 you're very welcome, any small thing I can do to assist in such quality content is worth it. It's a good test of me being able to retain and apply your methods!
gonna put cams out today on 2 waterholes on 20 acres. Sure I got lots of deer running oasis
Jeff - great video as always. I don't miss any of your content! I'd love to see a short video more focused on switchgrass maintenance if you ever run out of ideas for your videos. Keep up the good work!
That mycelium t shirt is awesome.
And I'm at work boom jk how far in elevation from a natural water source is good like 100 ft 50 ft ?
Hi Denny...don't get fired, ha. 100' is good but it can be much less if the deer are bedding dry and it is on the way to an afternoon food source. Then the elevation doesn't matter...
Excellent video Jeff excellent questions and details answers. So I have 309 acres how many water holes should I set up
It. Depends 😅
On a property that is very very thick, and bedding is possible anywhere. Where do you recommend putting the water holes? I understand they should be between bedding and food, but the bedding could literally be anywhere with a thick property. Would it be best to just spread them around the property and do trail cam surveys?
First
Yes...you were Denny 😊
Denny chalks up a nice “first” 👍
Would it be advantageous to add some type of dissolvable mineral or wormer to improve the deers overall health instead of just plain water? I wouldn’t add anything though until the water hole was established and used frequently by deer and other animals.
You definitely do not want to add anything at all...natural is always best. They are used to algae, mosquitoes, mud, sticks, leaves...any change of scent will turn a waterhole sour.
I've seen people put goldfish in a horse tank with live stalk for mosquitoe larvae
Should I wash if algae forms? Or let it remain “natural”
Jeff, with all those vehicles and human activity on your property, don’t think you need to worry about creating a doe factory, 😂
Hey Jeff, there was a question answered on the video I couldn't hear so well, maybe you can help. I curious if you have found a particular distance you need between the water hole and the mock scrape?
Oh for during that's s good question...maybe 10 to 15'
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 appreciate the help, content is great! Keepr' goin' guys!
Most of the videos I've watched on water holes, I've noticed they tend to be in a shaded area. Is this a rule of thumb you use when considering locations for a new water hole?
Yes Michael he did mention in person he likes shaded areas to help avoid evaporation from being sun baked all day. The shaded areas (pretty general statement here) tend to be more secluded too. I.e. he's not placing them right on a field edge, they are set back off the edge to help control flow through his property.
Hi Michael it is. Just like Alex says, so we can avoid evaporation. And most are in very secure, thick, buck cruising areas...
One more question . Do you use city water to fill your tanks ?
I thought you’ve said in previous videos that you don’t like to use much bigger water tanks then 100 gallons how come you used a 300 gallon tank here?
How many yards away from stand you place the water whole?
When should I have my stands out
Does anyone ever use bamboo for deer cover?
my watering hole has turned green from lots of rain its in the middle of a pine clearing should i be concerned or do something? TIA
The main reason to switch over to 300 ga tanks after years of using 100-150 ga tanks was to hopefully not run out of water like you did last year correct?
Yes...also so thru can step inside easier. I still like the 110 and 150...just not s fan kf the 100 gallon Rubbermaid because the opening is too narrow. The 110 and 150 are a great ratio...the 300 is really nice! So, I have better access to folks with machinery to dig the waterhole in as well. I personally wouldn't shovel a 300 gallon in...I would look for the 110 gallon in that case. The 110 is 2" more shallow than the 100 so the opening appears much larger.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I can remove those 110G tanks off your hands if needed Jeff (will even pay)! Really enjoyed the drive to your place let alone the property!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 We were able to dig out a spot for a 300 ga tank in less than hour with two people in a loamy fine sand this afternoon. If it would have been heavier soil I agree 100% on getting additional equipment.
What do u think about Ozonics scent eliminators
Would it be worth it for me to try a water hole in upstate NY? Just curious, we have lots of natural springs and trickles and ponds so I would assume deer wouldn’t use it... I could be wrong though
Is it too Late to put in a water hole late July? It’s definitely on my list for my location only fear is if I put it in now will I be spooking the deer. Or is it never too late for water holes?
I’m in NJ and it’s impossible to keep the bear out of it :/
I did screw down a couple boards across the tank. But I’m afraid a buck will get his head or his horns caught in there.
Any suggestions for what to do? Should I completely cover it and then take the cover off in the fall?
Hi Chad! I would place plywood and a couple of boulders on it...then do just like you say - take it off for Fall 😉
Thank you for your time. I’m going to refill them then do that.
I put one in a week ago and the deer haven't even walked up to it yet. They been walking around it 15 yards away.
What's the purpose of the stick in the tank??
So rodents can climb out
Mid tenn!!!
👍😊