Outdoors
Sponsored by

West Texas Wildlife Guzzler

11,419 Views | 40 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by dave99ag
dave99ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
My wife and I built a guzzler over the 4th of July holiday in hopes to keep wildlife, mainly mule deer and elk, around a bit longer at our place south of Alpine. Total surface area is 144 sqft and should yield ~80g per inch of rain into the 200g tank. The trough holds 4g, so plenty for them to drink.

September Update: Labor Day weekend guzzler update on a post below.
October Update: More elk photos and a storm posted below!

Truck is loaded with all the supplies we'd need to build the guzzler. Much easier with a F250 than our SUV.


Cleared the area for the guzzler and did a quick layout.


One frame down, one more to go. We went with an inverted roof design, much like what they have on Elephant Mountain.


Rain delay! It rained every day we were down there and why we wanted to get the guzzler installed before the rainy season.


Both frames are done and the gutter attached.


We were able to place two roof panels before getting rained out for the day.


Love seeing the clouds envelop Elephant Mountain!


Roof panels are all in place and it's time to start plumbing it up to the 200g water tank.


We used 3" PVC to deliver the water from the gutter system. I placed a small screen on top to minimize debrits getting inside.


There was quite more elevation gain than expected and I'm glad we had that 100' black poly pipe to make the run down to the feeder. My wife was very proud of her work trenching and covering up the pipe.


The Duramate horse trough was the perfect size and hopefully holds up to the creatures visiting.


A few rocks placed inside the feeder incase little creatures need to crawl out.


Originally I thought there would be a greater drop from the guzzler to the tank, but we found a great spot to tuck it right underneath.


What a great view the guzzler will have!


Our little wildlife paradise. Food, water, and cover. What else do you need?





afs3
How long do you want to ignore this user?
labmansid
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Good job! Waiting for game camera pics.
LRHF
How long do you want to ignore this user?
SWCBonfire
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Isn't all that country for sale right in that area? Or are you on the N side of elephant mountain?

Big country. Drove through it last week. Good place to get away from it all, because it's perfectly desolate.
Drillbit4
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Looks great. Is it anchored down enough to prevent it from turning into a sail during high winds?
TAMUallen
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Drillbit4 said:

Looks great. Is it anchored down enough to prevent it from turning into a sail during high winds?


That's what I was wondering because it looks like it'll be a nice kite if those tposts are the anchors
dave99ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Bonfire, south side of the mountain, so yes, there are parts for sale.

I anchored them pretty deep, so we'll see how they hold up to the winds.
Mas89
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Nice. I need to copy and duplicate soon in Mason Co. Where did you find the tank? In a kit with hose and guzzler?
SpiderD02
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Very cool.
How does the water not overflow at the trough draining the tank?
HCHunter
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
SpiderD02 said:

Very cool.
How does the water not overflow at the trough draining the tank?


If the trough is like what we use, it has an internal float valve so as to maintain a constant full level.
SteveBott
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Great project. I would add a bunch more stakes.
LEJ
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Nice.

Triple the tee posts. Skirt the sides

SpiderD02
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Thanks. Thought it was more of just a bucket but googled and see it's got a built in float.

I would like to see some trail cam pictures probably some neat shots to be taken.
txags92
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Nice project! Now put the game cam out to show us what is using it. How deep did you bury the pipe to the trough? And any reason you chose not to shade the water trough under the collection surface? Seems like you might lose a lot of water to evaporation if it is in the sun.
longeryak
How long do you want to ignore this user?
LEJ said:

Nice.

Triple the tee posts. Skirt the sides


It is going to get torn up from underneath by whatever uses it for the shade or by whatever goes after the meal in the shade.

I'd add more 2 x 4 as well. First time something jumps up top that metal is toast.
Tx Ag72
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Rattlesnakes are gonna love that shade. That should keep every thing else out.
dave99ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
We went out last weekend to check on things and hoped everything was still intact. Luckily, the guzzler was in good shape, but the trough had filled with dirt from a storm and runoff. As suggested, I added more t-posts to firm up the guzzler. I also moved the trough to higher ground and hopefully out of the way of any runoff.

The best part about our trip was coming up to a small herd at the feeder. I counted 4 cows, 2 calves and one good-sized bull hanging out at the top of the canyon. It was our first time to see the elk with our own eyes. Heard them calling a few times during the night.

More t-posts should do the trick!


Found these handy t-post mounts online to hold them onto the 2x4s.


Trough has been moved and hopefully out of the way of runoff. Camera was there temporarily, but don't think I'll keep it there longterm.


First bulls to show up this year.


A young bull stops by.


There was a good month with no activity, but now they're starting to show up.




The small herd that was feeding as we rolled up to camp. Such a great sight!




My wife saw her first horny toad too. I hadn't seen them in years until we got our place down here.


maverick12
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Nice pictures! We have had trouble with rodents chewing through the piping. You might consider burying it.
SpiderD02
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Cool project and pictures. Do you plan to hunt the elk? If so how do you decide what to shoot in Texas?
AggieOO
How long do you want to ignore this user?
dave99ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Most of the polypipe is buried down a few inches. Hopefully that'll keep the rodents at bay.

We don't plan in hunting them any time soon. My goal right now is to try to get them to hang around as long as possible. Pretty sure they spend most of their time closer to Mt. Ord.
raidernarizona
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Cool project! Pics are awesome! What a great spot!
Furlock Bones
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
that's awesome
PFG
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
You should google "How to keep mud off my trough". Maybe WD-40?

But seriously- those elk on your game cam are incredible. Thats awesome.
WestTexasAg
How long do you want to ignore this user?
MouthBQ98
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Elk that were extirpated and reintroduced or escapees from a game ranch?
dave99ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I'm not sure where they're coming from exactly. There are quite a few herds in Brewster county and I don't see much high fence. We've had more elk wander through than mule deer this year.

Hoping to one day get a mountain lion on the cameras. Not sure my wife will like knowing one is around.
SteveBott
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Good chance you will with their prey coming in like that.
cc_ag92
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Great job!
aggiepublius
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Great work!
Eliminatus
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
For realsies "Outdoors Related"! Nice!

Great job OP, I've helped build some before and yours definitely looks better than the abominations we built. (Suspect yours will last longer too)
dave99ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
We went to our place over the weekend and much to our surprise, the elk stuck around most of September and a little bit into October. No sign of mule deer though. I'm also happy to report that the guzzler has held up with the new location and wildlife are starting to take a few drinks. It's been really wet this monsoon season, so I imagine they'll go to it more as things dry up.

Highlight of the weekend was sitting through a crazy hailstorm on Friday with 30+ mph gusts and golfball size hail. My wife handled it remarkably well considering all we have for cover is a carport.

A nice bull checking out the water trough and game camera.


I'm ready for my close up!


A cow, her calf, and a young bull hung around for a few days.


Meep! Meep!


I don't mind feeding y'all, but stay out of our stuff!


After nearly two years, our first snake sighting... a West Texas Coachwhip! My wife handled it pretty well as it hauled ass across the road.


There was a bit of a pucker factor while this storm came through. Definitely the worse one we've been in so far.


The storm allowed for a great sunset and lightning storm after it passed.

BCO07
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Great pictures. I'm definitely jealous of your setup. Would be cool to see some of that live
skg13
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Can we get an update on how this drinker has held up over the course of the past two years? Have you had to do any maintenance on it since?
Page 1 of 2
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.