Whitetail Strategies

Here’s an update on the small pond water holes post I made awhile back. They have both since filled up and are holding water to the top. The bentonite clay I added really seems to be doing its job. The ponds have became a major attraction and addition to the property. I’ve been getting non stop pictures at each location. Daylight as well. It’s not too late to get one added to your property for this year. When placed closed to bedding it can be a game changer. Again I made these about 35 feet by 40 feet and 8 to 9 feet deep.

For those thinking about adding a water source to your property. Now’s the time to do it. I’ve added two myself this past month. For those wanting to save money and do it yourself, here’s what I had into mine. I rented a small 30 hp skid steer I pulled with my half ton truck for $269 for the full day. I see a lot of people going shallow when they make water holes and that will create a lot of mudd as ponds dry up. This could harbor EHD. I went steep on 3 sides and a decent slope down the middle. I dug mine about 7 feet at the lowest point. I then came back with Bentonite clay and lined the sides and bottom to hold the water better. I had about $250 into the clay. The ponds already holding water after one rain. Something to think about if your place lack’s water. Always make sure to place these closer to bedding to get the full effect of a good water source.

Does your timber look like this ? Can you see over 80 to 100 yards through it ? This is a property I worked last week before we started working on it. I came in and hinged cut these ridges tops, screened ridges and access off. These ridge tops are some of the best bedding areas you can have. But when you have open timber and can see across to other areas, that’s not good in terms of holding deer. Deer need privacy, bucks need seclusion. By limiting the deers sight with cuts and fallen tree tops. You will hold more deer in these areas. In the below picture if a buck bedded where I was standing. He could see over 100 yards in every direction. This makes him tough to hunt as well as less room for other deer. He will lay there and run other bucks off as he watches them bed in the other areas. Now you come in and drop trees and hinge cut trees your limiting his sight. You give him privacy and a bedroom. Yes he knows other deer are there but he can’t see them, he feels comfortable and in return you will increase your holding power of your property by giving each deer its own bedroom. I’ve done this for years and if you knew the amount of bucks and mature bucks I hold on my properties because of this. Most of you wouldnt believe it. Take a walk and check your woods. If the below picture fits your area well maybe it’s time to do some cutting this winter.