Tank/Trough Combo for Deer - Anyone Try?

[aggieman12]

Due to the extended drought in south Texas, I am needing to come up with a system for watering my deer. Several of the deer that call my spots home have migrated to other setups that have water available.

I am thinking I need at least 1500 gallons of water storage based on what others are reporting.

Rather than installing a poly tank with a concrete trough and associated plumbing, has anyone ever tried using one of the metal tank/trough combos for deer?

These don’t have a top on them so I would think evaporation and algae growth would be a killer. I have considered using shade balls to reduce that?

In for your experience or opinions.

[hog_down]

Interested as well.

[bowtecmike]

Never seen those before. I would think a metal roof would not be too hard to fab. A funnel shape to catch rain would be neat.

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[Smart]

The evaporation is going to be killer with a roof as well imo. The trough has a lot of exposed surface water.

[aggieman12]

The evaporation is going to be killer with a roof as well imo. The trough has a lot of exposed surface water.

Just thinking out loud - what if the roof had an extended overhang?

[Smart]

Just thinking out loud - what if the roof had an extended overhang?

It will help some, but the warm air in the summer, even in the shade, is still going to get some...

[Gumbo Man]

Even with evaporation which may or may not be controlled an intermittent water supply would be better than none at all. And if it don’t work your only out ………..2400 dollars.
I’d give it a try myself.

[kyleseipp]

For super remote, agreed it would be better than nothing. In the 'just thinking outloud category', if 2400 is the ceiling on spending, how far would it be from nearest water to run black poly pipe and setup a storage tank that could gravity flow to any trough size?

If you are landowner (or landowner onboard) go see your NCRS office and spec out a water program for such and get a cost share - if 50/50 split, put 4800 worth of water line and trough and storage in

[kyle1974]

Tank/Trough Combo for Deer - Anyone Try?

Why so fancy? You can build a decent watering station with a 330 gallon tote, trough float valve and feed bucket for a couple hundred bucks

At a previous place I hunted, we set up 7-8 tote water stations, and had a trailer with two totes and a small gas powered water pump. We’d let the totes get about half empty then make a couple runs with the water trailer to fill them up. Total cost was probably around $3500

[aggieman12]

For super remote, agreed it would be better than nothing. In the 'just thinking outloud category', if 2400 is the ceiling on spending, how far would it be from nearest water to run black poly pipe and setup a storage tank that could gravity flow to any trough size?

If you are landowner (or landowner onboard) go see your NCRS office and spec out a water program for such and get a cost share - if 50/50 split, put 4800 worth of water line and trough and storage in

They sell a 1600 gallon setup with the same design for less than $1500. $2400 is above the ceiling as I would likely install 3 units.

This is a lease place and running water lines several thousand yards wouldn’t be allowed or affordable.

[Dc78]

Here is an option.

https://banksoutdoors.com/product/wild-water-300/

[aggieman12]

Why so fancy? You can build a decent watering station with a 330 gallon tote, trough float valve and feed bucket for a couple hundred bucks

At a previous place I hunted, we set up 7-8 tote water stations, and had a trailer with two totes and a small gas powered water pump. We’d let the totes get about half empty then make a couple runs with the water trailer to fill them up. Total cost was probably around $3500

I don’t care about fancy. If you saw what I plan to use as a nurse trailer, you wouldn’t question that. In off season, we can only go once a month. I would prefer to only have to fill water every two months.

The guys that currently have water out are reporting peak consumption of 30 gallons a day last summer. Average is probably closer to 20. I am thinking I need at least 1500 gallon tank.

[kyle1974]

Tank/Trough Combo for Deer - Anyone Try?

I don’t care about fancy. If you saw what I plan to use as a nurse trailer, you wouldn’t question that. In off season, we can only go once a month. I would prefer to only have to fill water every two months.

The guys that currently have water out are reporting peak consumption of 30 gallons a day last summer. Average is probably closer to 20. I am thinking I need at least 1500 gallon tank.

That seems like a lot of water. Summer time evaporation can be substantial though too.

it’s been several years but it seems the totes would last over a month. We had the totes inside the feed pens so only deer could get to them.

[aggieman12]

They are using a 3’x3’ concrete trough in a feed pen being supplied by an enclosed 1500g poly tank.

[hog_down]

OP, do you have a link or name to the manufacturer?