Water sources are incredibly important for whitetails. It’s obvious, but it’s among the most basic needs of deer. Without this element, deer will not inhabit an area. Without it in key locations, it might even prevent deer, especially mature bucks, from bedding nearby.
Oftentimes, hunters take what they get with naturally located water sources. Or they do what they can with man-made ponds that weren’t designed or located with deer hunting in mind. Both situations can work, but they aren’t optimal.
Instead, consider creating water troughs for deer on your property. Or purchase these from a reputable manufacturer. Either way, placed in strategic locations, it can greatly benefit the deer herd and improve your deer hunting success.
Why Deer Love Small Water Holes
Deer use water sources of all shapes and sizes. Lakes, rivers, creeks, streams, ponds, and even mud puddles can serve as water sources. That said, large bodies of water tend to be used more under cover of darkness. In contrast, smaller, more secluded water sources are more likely to be used during daylight.
Bob Stalberger, a land specialist in Southeast Minnesota, agrees that small water holes are very attractive to mature deer.
“Mature deer like small, secluded water sources that are placed not out in the wide open — like many ponds can be,” Stalberger said. “They just need to grab a quick drink.”
By focusing on smaller and more obscure water sources within cover, hunters increase their odds of seeing a mature deer use these during legal shooting hours. Therefore, positioning small water sources in strategic locations, such as the edges of bedding areas, staging areas, and along travel routes, land managers can level up their deer hunting property.
Of course, not everyone has the means or permission to add water sources to the landscape. Others don’t need to because their properties already have strategic water source locations in existence. Regardless, it’s possible to scout and find smaller water sources that deer use more frequently.
“Although I haven't actually created many water spots, I have utilized water sources plenty,” said Matt Palmquist, a land specialist in central Kansas.
Examples of small water sources to look for include seeps (where water comes out of the ground), wet-weather streams, ponds within the timber, and more. That said, mature bucks prefer stagnant water sources during daytime hours. Running water limits their ability to hear, and generally isn’t located close to bedding cover, anyway.
Best Times and Places to Hunt Water Holes
As with any tactic, there’s a time and place for it. Hunters should assess their hunting properties and determine the best locations for deploying water sources. Likewise, it’s important to know the best times to hunt over or near these spots.
Oftentimes, certain situations see bucks hitting small water sources more during daylight. Without question, water sources can be placed in strategic locations for early season, pre-rut, rut, and the late season.
“Logically, you would expect bucks to utilize water when the temps rise,” Palmquist said. “However, I have seen deer go nocturnal if temps are too extreme. If bucks have been using a particular water source at night, I will key in on it when a cold front is coming, much like a food source, because they are apt to move earlier.”
As noted, water can be a great play at different times. But it’s difficult to beat scenarios where cold fronts drive deer to move. And if a water hole is located along their bed-to-feed line of movement, it creates extra incentive to use that route.
“Anytime during the rut can be effective for daylight movement, as well, in my experience,” Palmquist said. “Especially in dry years and/or in arid regions.”
For many hunters, their favorite time to hunt over water holes is during the rut. Bucks are chasing and running hard. They must rehydrate. Small water sources within cover gives them a location to do so.
“My number No. 1 tip for hunting over water is hunting over water during the rut (versus over food),” Stalberger said. “I have had great success hunting over water versus food during the rut. The mature bucks might not eat much at that time, but they have to drink, and if it’s hot and/or dry, puts things even more in your favor.”
Without question, water sources can be placed in strategic locations for early season, pre-rut, rut, and the late season. No matter the phase of deer season you target with each respective water source, keep hunting tactics, stand locations, and other relevant elements in mind.
“Regardless of time of year, protected areas where the deer feel secure are going to be the most effective,” Palmquist said. “Couple this with entrance/exit routes that prevent little impact, if possible, and provide an advantage for the predominant winds (preferably multiple winds).”
Water Hole Deer Hunting Tactics
As with any aspect of deer hunting, it’s important to implement proven tactics associated with the strategy. Fortunately, hunters can implement advanced water hole tactics.
“Undetected entry to the water source is my No. 1 tip,” Palmquist said. “Establish the location based on the entry route. Equally important is having a location that provides advantages for multiple winds.”
Palmquist reflects on a deer he killed quite a few years ago. The deer was hitting a water tank that he set up, but he didn't have the wind direction to sit by the water on the day he was successful. That said, the buck was in the area, utilized the tank, and walked into range after using it.
Finding isolated water sources works, too. Recently, Palmquist located a pond. It’s been dry lately, and the deer are starting to hammer it. This is of importance to note, because scarcity of water sources makes remaining ones more attractive. Because there are fewer options, hunters can focus their efforts on water sources. Whereas areas within an abundance of water, and saturated water source locations, cannot rely on this as a viable hunting tactic. Scarcity condenses deer movements, but abundance spreads deer out.
“I always like to determine the predominant wind direction for my stand location,” Stalberger said. “I place my Wild Water and the trough angle so that, when the deer enters to drink, they give me either a broadside or quartering-away shot. That is one of the best parts of the Wild Water [system].”
When creating a water source, or deploying a purchased one, always analyze wind patterns, directions deer approach from, and directions deer depart to.
“If you determine the trough needs to be turned (due to how the deer come to drink out of it), and if deer are not giving you the right shot angle, you can simply move it,” Stalberger said. “Whereas a pond isn’t something you can change.”
Water Hole Deer Hunting Mistakes to Avoid
There are certain water hole deer hunting mistakes to avoid. Certain blunders can undo all of the hard work of locating, creating or deploying water sources.
“If the water set isn't easy for you to access undetected, it defeats the purpose,” Palmquist said. “I would favor easy access over a more protected location that you chance bumping deer going in.”
Additionally, don’t position stands or blinds in locations where you will be smelled by approaching or departing deer. Also, don’t shoot does in these key spots (and apply unnecessary hunting pressure). Of course, refrain from over-hunting water holes, and instead, save these for the best times to hunt.
How to Make a Water Hole for Deer
Some hunters choose to make water holes. This tactic is great for those who want larger water sources than are available via water troughs.
Larger sources (but not too large) are ideal for areas that have minimal water to begin with. That said, just as large food sources are more used as destination grub that feeds the herd, smaller food sources, such as micro food plots, serve as hunting opportunities. Likewise, larger and smaller water sources achieve similar goals.
Small Scale: Use a shovel to dig a hole large enough to install a small water trough.
Moderate Scale: Use a mini-excavator or tractor to dig a water hole.
Large Scale: Use a large backhoe or excavator to dig a pond.
“I have one pond on my property that I dug out specifically for erosion control and for hunting over,” Stalberger said. “I designed my food plot setup around the pond’s location.”
Buying Watering Systems for Deer
Other hunters decide to buy a water trough for deer. This route is better for spots where you don’t need larger water sources. Perhaps these are spots where you can’t get equipment into to create water sources from scratch. Regardless, buying deer water tanks for deer is an excellent play for watering deer.
“I have five Banks Outdoors Wild Water Systems on my farm,” Stalberger said. “I have been using them for probably eight to 10 years — ever since they came out. I love the Wild Waters as they allow me to move them with ease and allow me to put them within bow distance from my stand where the advantage can be to my benefit versus the deer’s.”
All things considered, no matter if you find, create, or purchase water sources for deer, each one can be well worth the time and money investments these require. It just might be what your property is lacking. Finding the spots that offer secluded water sources, or locating the perfect stand location to establish a deer water trough, is something all deer hunters should consider.
