As dry as it has been I've thought about putting a 5 gallon bucket of water next to my corn feeder. It would be a pain to bring water to it, but every time I check my camera I could fill it up. The feeder is surrounded by hog panels, so hogs shouldn't be getting free water.

What are your thoughts on this? More trouble than it is worth or do you think it would bring more game to my feeder?

My buddy who has property in Ozona has a trough on the lower part. But up top there is no water at all. He found a thing called a Guzzler that he is going to buy and put in one of the feed pens. They make a portable option and I think he is gonna go with that one. You might want to look into that if you think your animals need water that badly.

http://www.wildlifewaterguzzler.com



[This message has been edited by FSGuide (edited 8/24/2011 8:39a).]

I think you need a lot more than 5 gallons. And I'm guessing a trough would be better than a bucket, unless you enjoy picking dead birds and other critters out of it every day.

wouldn't it need to rain for the guzzler to work? unless you filled it up yourself from a different water source

People are using cattle water troughs that I've seen.

And the pictures are pretty damn amazing. If you provide the water you'll more than liekly see an inc. in deer numbers if you don't have a readily available source.

That is what I'm wanting...more deer. I figure if they are thirsty and know my area has corn and water, they'll keep coming back. There used to be a creek that ran about 200 yards from my feeder, no more.

The premise is a very good one, but 5 gallons won't last a day.

I had the exact same idea for my place in Linden. Tractor Supply in Tyler has a 40 gallon plastic watering trough for $30. Placed inside a hog pen, this might be better than corn.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/stock-tanks-accessories/stock-tanks/tuff-stuff-products-heavy-duty-oval-tank-40-gal--2229846

At our place in south Texas we have a 250 gal tote connected to a water trough with float valve for the wildlife. With the drought the way it is we are noticing that they are going through almost 55 gal a week right now. Lots of thirsty animals out there. Also lots of animals have even resorted to getting in the trough to try and stay cool. We have anything from coyotes, bobcats, javies, and even foxes sitting in the trough cooling off.


[This message has been edited by HCHunter (edited 8/24/2011 9:55a).]

I keep a trough near a deer feeder and to keep birds from drowning, I place a long tree branch from the trough rim at one end to the bottom of the trough on the other end. It gives small animals a place to crawl out if they fall in. Dead birds or rats can fowl the water pretty good. I have also watched not only songbirds but dove & quail walk down the branch to get a drink when the water level can't be reached from above. The deer have no problem drinking with the branch in the water.

I guess one thing I worry about is corn being thrown from the feeder and landing in the water. I'm sure it will get soggy and nasty in no-time. I think my panels make a 10' x 10' square around the feeder. I honestly can't remember.

I have high-end deer. I leave trough filled with a nice cabarnet.

+1 for always putting a stick/log of some sort in the trough. Dead rodents can really make them nasty

I cut the top third off of a 55 gallon drum and I keep it on the opposite side of the clearing from my feeders. It collected enough rain to keep itself full last year but not so much right now. The top of the barrel is too high for pigs but just right for deer.

quote:

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At our place in south Texas we have a 250 gal tote

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How do you fill that bad boy up?

My wife's grandfather carries two 55 gallon drums full of water down there on the front end loader of the tractor every couple of weeks and pumps itin using a cheapo pump from harbor freight. The initial fill up took a couple trips with several drums but not we just maintain it and don't let it go dry.

quote:

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How do you fill that bad boy up?

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Looks like its sitting on a pallet, probably tractor it to the nearest faucet and fill away.

You'd be surprised what kind of wildlife water attracts...













[This message has been edited by PooDoo (edited 8/25/2011 12:43p).]

That is some cool photos.