with the lack of rain, we set out water for the deer

[tradslinger]

This summer has been a lot drier than normal. By the middle of June, most of the smaller creeks had dried up as well as the smaller ponds. So, at the back of our property, we set out the top third section of a white plastic 55 gallon drum. White instead of the black or blue ones that we had to keep the water from getting too hot. We also tried to get in a somewhat shady spot. The deer began hitting it pretty quick, mostly at night. After thinking about it, we added a handful of salt to the water. But my wife wanted more pics and added a third of a bag of deer cocaine to it and stirred it up. I may try to hunt over it from the ground with my recurve. Never dreamed that there would be this many deer around here. And this is all legal here on private property. 

[durp]

Never thought of adding anything to the water...did it make much differance?

I use a hot water tank split length ways and add a few limbs so the birds and smaller critters can use it too...tuck it back under some brush in the shade and it gets well used till mid september

[GCook]

We put out two 600 gallon troughs and a 250 gallon one.  We need to keep the neighbors cows off our place though.  They are sucking it down faster than we can fill them.  And busting holes in the fence faster than we can patch them.

[achigan]

We put out two 600 gallon troughs and a 250 gallon one.  We need to keep the neighbors cows off our place though.  They are sucking it down faster than we can fill them.  And busting holes in the fence faster than we can patch them.

If field dressed properly, beeves can taste almost as good as venison or wild pork!

[GCook]

I definitely thought the one would make some prime freezer stock.
Trouble is in Texas they still hang rustlers.😲

[tradslinger]

an update on the water, after adding the salt and the deer cocaine, we had 5 deer, mainly bucks come to it right before dark. They drank it of course but stuck around for a while to drink more. We watched them from a distance until it got too dark. My wife was super excited, she doesn't bow hunt but wants to try with a crossbow. She shot a big bruiser 8 point with a 20 1/2" inside spread last year. The main reason for adding the stuff to the water is to get them to come to it instead of going elsewhere. But I assure you that they know it is in there

[dnovo]

I’m lucky in that I have a spring in the valley behind my house on my property that runs year round regardless of rainfall. I haven’t checked it in a couple weeks but they water at it regularly