Water Hole Project

[Swens]

We picked a very secluded spot in the middle of the woods for a food plot/pond. Here are 3 photos showing the stages.

[Swens]

I have used rubber roof material for a few other ponds and never had a problem. We checked this pond a few days after we made it, and it appears that some rodents (possibly raccoon) bit some holes in it and it isn't holding water very well.

Any advice as what to do different to hold water besides rubber? I know that clay is a good alternative, but that seems like a lot of work.

[emsharon1116]

[QUOTE=Swens;38603] ...rodents (possibly raccoon)... QUOTE]


OH Brother dear.... Raccoons are not rodents... hahahaha

<3 you

[Swens]

Thanks for correcting me Em.

rodent -
1.belonging or pertaining to the gnawing or nibbling mammals of the order Rodentia, including the mice, squirrels, beavers, etc.


Whatever chewed up the rubber roofing was a rodent and in this case I am going to call a raccoon a rodent......even if it is wrong.

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for correcting me Em.

I am going to call a raccoon a rodent......even if it is wrong.

It's OK Em, he calls antlers "horns" too

Swens, talk to a well-driller about Bentonite. Comes in 50 lb bags and is used for casing wells. Might seal up your holes. I've dug a bunch of ponds and have always wanted to try some, but never have. Might work!

[MHanson]

When we put in our pond we had enough natural clay to help hold the water. At the time I was looking into alternatives in case it didn't. My understanding is that deer hooves can actually puncture liners such as the one you mention. The fix for this is to put a foot or so of dirt over the liner so that a barrier could help keep the hooves from ruining the liner. I bet the same thing could be done in your case. I doubt the raccoons would dig down through mud for a little nibble. The installment will take longer as you'll need to dig deeper initially, but the extra time should be worth it. Good luck!

[MHanson]

Another option is to buy a synthetic or metal stock tank (many sizes available at Fleet Farm) and put it halfway into the ground. I did this prior to our pond with a 110 gallon-sized one. I filled it up initially but never had to do so again as rain and snow kept it filled. Of course, these don't provide the aesthetic beauty of a pond, but they are effective and require less time. You can also tuck them into tight spaces where the terrain would not allow a pond to be located.

[dbl lung]

I used a couple 50 gallon plastic barrels found floating in the river this year. I cut them in half and sunk them in the ground so they were sticking up so the mud could not run into them. They are working like a dream so far. I have not had to fill either. When I check my camera again I will post some of the pictures. The first day I put them in deer were using them.

[Buckhunter2]

I have added four little water holes to our hunting area using kids plastic swimmin pools. They are puncture proof and do not take that much to install.

[Bukmastr]

Bentonite or however you spell it is used where there is not a natural clay soil. Placment of water holes can be critical, especially if used for hunting over. They should be placed in a spot where rain water will naturally run to, and be deep enough to hold water year round...
If its to keep deer on the property, placing it in the middle of a secluded woods might be a good option. But if its to hunt over for mature bucks, placment should be very close to mature buck bedding.

I shot this 14 point over a water hole 100 yards from his bed...

[drummin_log]

Bentonite is definitely an option. It's basically clay that expands when it gets wet. You could put it down in the bottom of the hole or dig it a little deeper than the finished product and mix in some soil with the Bentonite then pour that back in the bottom. Either way, it should create a solid layer at the bottom that will hold water. But like bukmastr said, a water hole is only as good as where it's placed. If you want it to be effective and utilized you have to put it in a spot deer
already frequent and put it where it will collect any runoff water from rain and snow melt.

Plastic pools work great too!