Trying To Think This Out

[Big Snow Man]

We have been looking at trail cam pictures this past weekend and noticed the deer continually going over to our frozen water tubs trying to lick the frozen water or just sniffing the froze water. If a guy could figure out how to keep a tank heater in one of the tubs I think it could draw as many deer as a late stand of beans. Our area is sandy so there is no water sources after freeze up. If only this could be done without a huge investment it might be worth trying. Has anyone ever done anything like this ?

 

[dipper]

You could always just yank the wiring off all those irritations down by you. A couple jobs and you have a half mile of wiring.....it would be a cheap option.

 

[Bill]

Do a search on solar freeze resistant horse water trough.

People have been building them for their horses and cows. Not 100% especially in a WI winter but I bet they would give you water longer than an open trough

 

[bueller]

We have one which is close enough to our electric that one year we ran an extension cord to it and powered a heater. If I remember correctly the water in the small tub evaporated quickly in cold weather and the heater burned out. Its possible we had it set to high.

My new place has a creek/ditch with places of open water all winter long:D

 

[Big Snow Man]

We have one which is close enough to our electric that one year we ran an extension cord to it and powered a heater. If I remember correctly the water in the small tub evaporated quickly in cold weather and the heater burned out. Its possible we had it set to high.

My new place has a creek/ditch with places of open water all winter long:D

I was thinking about doing a solar panel and a heater. I wasn't sure if I would need a huge panel to make it work.

 

[sandbur]

Mnfish has some posts on his ponds for fish. Some of the ideas might work.

 

[Big Snow Man]

I wonder if I put one of those wind mill aerators in the tank if that would keep a cow tank open in the winter ?

 

[Catscratch]

Kept the water open for 4 days with highs around 18 degrees before the two "D" batteries gave out. It was just a test with the minowbucket aerator to see if it would work. I would think a resistance heater would drain way too much power to be battery powered and portable. Something like this with a car battery and a solar charger would probably last all winter with no maintenance...

 

[Big Snow Man]

I'm a little sceptical if that wood work up here. It's -5 degrees as I type this. Where did you get the materials ? I will try to check it out

 

[Catscratch]

That aerator is just a lttle one for baitbucket. Bought it at Walmart a decade ago. A much larger one could be built from the automotive world.