New Water System – SD Recap

  • kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    July 23, 2012 at 5:16 pm #207445

    I spent Friday – Sunday at my Dad’s farm in SD. Mostly preparing for the upcoming pheasant season. We spent 2.5 half days fixing nets/pens and rebuilding some gates etc… It was a 109 on Friday so needless to say we took a lot of water breaks that day. It’s been a very hot dry summer already. Most of our food plots will be lucky to produce any corn. The tallest corn I saw was just over 3 feet tall. Tough year for the critters. However, they sure are loving the alfalfa we planted in May.

    About 4 o’clock on Friday Dad had enough of the heat. He was ready for a cold one and so was I. I loaded up a little cooler with 3 beers and started loading the components to make a new water system in our north CRP. I got the idea from Pat at RAM Outfitters. It was time for “fun” work. I truly believe water is as important to the critters as is any food source. On dry hot years like this, it’s even more of a premium.

    I was able to collect two 300 gallon totes and all the parts I needed at the local farm store. I utilized an old mineral bucket from a neighbor. The plan is to make the system “portable”. Unlikely I’ll ever move it, other than to store it during the winter months. The wild card is how long will 300 gallons of water last during this time of year?

    Here is the water tank:

    Deer hunting is a family affair:

    I sent my folks to cool off once we had the holding tank set.

    Filling the holding tank. Unfortunately we weren’t able to lift the tote full with Dad’s tractor. We are limited to about 150 gallons at a time.

    Admiring my work:

    The finished project with about 260 gallons of water to start:

    Our first visitor:

    Mowing around the trail camera:

    super_do
    St Michael, MN
    Posts: 1091
    July 23, 2012 at 5:25 pm #121503

    Looks good John Didn’t take long for something to find it.

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    July 23, 2012 at 5:29 pm #121504

    Last year my father shot his first wall worthy animal. Mom also shot her first deer ever! This has really helped keep them interested/motivated to continue to invest in our ground. I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to pursue my passion there. Here are a couple deer who have been hitting the Nutra Deer Antler Builder sites regularly.

    Old ripped ear:

    Others:

    Future P&Y:

    Nothing super special, but we still have 40 days of growing to go and who knows what the rut will bring. I saw one buck on Saturday night in the ditch that was really special. Only 2 miles from our place.

    lucas_zemlicka
    Montana
    Posts: 231
    July 23, 2012 at 8:21 pm #121511

    Nice work! I’m curious how much they use it. Keep us informed

    tdhowen
    Posts: 78
    July 24, 2012 at 1:55 am #121519

    That’s a nice set up. I’ve read some guys using a kiddy pool an digging it in for a watering hole.Did you put something in it so small critters can get out?

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    August 2, 2012 at 12:39 am #121721

    The water system is working and the water is lasting much longer than I expected. However, Dad has gotten some rain since we installed.

    flatlandfowler
    SC/SW MN
    Posts: 1081
    August 2, 2012 at 2:19 am #121728

    That is quite the watering system Kooty Are they using it quite a bit from the pics?? We have an old hog pan we put out years ago at a mineral site. We dump it at the end of each summer and flip it in the spring. We get many pics of deer utilizing it, no need to leave the sanctuary of trees on that property for them…… They sure do drink some narly looking water

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    August 2, 2012 at 2:52 am #121731

    They are using it quite a bit, but when I look at the tank, they aren’t taking much water overall. I’m sure the recent rain has slowed consumption also.

    bob_bergeson
    cannon falls
    Posts: 2798
    August 2, 2012 at 11:05 am #121751

    Lookin Good Kooty! I’m sure allot of work went into building that setup it’s nice to see them using it

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