“I know where a big one hangs out,” said my Indian guide on a South Dakota hunt. We stalked in, hoping to spot the rutting buck and sneak in for a shot in the rolling hills and winding creek bottom. After glassing for hours with no success, we dropped down into the creek bottom, where we located the big 10-point, or what was left. It, like other deer in the area, had succumbed to EHD, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, providing a feast for the coyotes and a ton of disappointment to me.
Cattle Pond Disaster
Good cattle country often overlaps with quality deer habitat, and a shallow pond can become a breeding ground for the tiny insect that causes EHD among deer, especially during a drought year. Most cattle ponds have shallow sloping sides, and the little puddles of water filling cattle hoof prints are the perfect insect breeding culture.
Water Hole Positives
A waterhole can be a positive deer attractant and is a legal hunting strategy in most states. Deer often drink during daylight hours, unlike feeding stations, where mature bucks will only visit at night. A water source can be as small as a few feet in diameter, and as long as it receives a frequent water supply, deer will approach and drink. A “critter stick” is essential so small animals don’t drown and contaminate the water. Place a small branch in the water so chipmunks, squirrels, and other animals can safely crawl out.
The Sides Matter
However you make your water spot, ensure it has firm, hard sides to prevent the EHD breeding effect. Having the water source level with the ground is aesthetically appealing, yet livestock drink from above-ground sources across the country. The water container can be metal, plastic, stone, or hard dirt, but avoid the cattle pond incubation process.
An Ozark Mountain Pond
This short video shows the potential for promoting EHD from a shallow pond. It appears that this property does not have horses or cattle, so deer may not be in danger, yet if this were a cattle farm, the shallow pond could become an EHD breeding ground. Water can be a powerful attractant, but if used incorrectly, it can become dangerous.