Deer and water sources

[Maybach Outdoors]

Hey guys... I'm a first time hunter so take it easy on my ignorance.

I've been scouting a few areas for the high buck hunt and I was wondering about water sources. I've found a couple of neat spots pretty deep in and away from the trails, but the only water sources I'm seeing are high alpine lakes (you can guess what wilderness  ). So dumb question... do mule deer care about standing vs flowing water? Some of the lakes appear to have little creeks and what not that might not be there come September. I think lakes are more likely to be visited by humans even if they are away from trail, so that may be the deciding factor in the end.

Lastly, has anyone patterned deer that don't really frequent water sources often? How much water do they really need (I'm assuming they can get some from vegetation). Will they travel miles and miles to water sources?

Cheers,
M

[Jonathan_S]

There are little seeps and muddy spots all over the map, usually multiple per drainage and deer take what's there. I've seen deer drink from a muddy wallow when there was clear stream water 200' below them.

Water hole hunting generally isn't an effective strategy until you get a LOT farther south than the Washington high hunt. As in multiple states south. I'm sure there are isolated places where guys hunt troughs etc. but if you think you found "The Water Source" in an area of the Cascades, you're likely mistaken 

[Mtnwalker]

  IMO the only reason to look for water on the high hunt is for yourself, the deer will have an abundance of sources

[Karl Blanchard]

They pretty much summed it up. Remember, they live there. They know where everything is.

[Maybach Outdoors]

Oh damn guess I was totally off haha okay sweet that makes a lot of sense then.

[Maybach Outdoors]

There are little seeps and muddy spots all over the map, usually multiple per drainage and deer take what's there. I've seen deer drink from a muddy wallow when there was clear stream water 200' below them.

Water hole hunting generally isn't an effective strategy until you get a LOT farther south than the Washington high hunt. As in multiple states south. I'm sure there are isolated places where guys hunt troughs etc. but if you think you found "The Water Source" in an area of the Cascades, you're likely mistaken 

Thanks!

[nwwanderer]

And yes their forage supplies most if not all of the water they need this time of year.  You might want to research blue tongue,EHD, for another twist on water sources.

[Maybach Outdoors]

And yes their forage supplies most if not all of the water they need this time of year.  You might want to research blue tongue,EHD, for another twist on water sources.

I'll have to do some research on this. Didn't really know that would be an issue... the more you know the better I guess!

[huntingaddiction]

I archery hunt a pretty dry area and every time I stalk a buck I tend to find a spring not far from their bedding area.  Usually water withing a couple hundred yards of where they bed.  Literally will see just a little green on a dry hillside.

[OutHouse]

I archery hunt a pretty dry area and every time I stalk a buck I tend to find a spring not far from their bedding area.  Usually water withing a couple hundred yards of where they bed.  Literally will see just a little green on a dry hillside.

   I am not in as dry of an area but I too noticed that bedding usually isn't too far from a water source. I've found that when deer get up for a mid day walk it is often to a food or water source for a quick bite or sip. In my experience they don't stray very far from that bedding area during the day if there is no pressure.

[huntingaddiction]

I archery hunt a pretty dry area and every time I stalk a buck I tend to find a spring not far from their bedding area.  Usually water withing a couple hundred yards of where they bed.  Literally will see just a little green on a dry hillside.

   I am not in as dry of an area but I too noticed that bedding usually isn't too far from a water source. I've found that when deer get up for a mid day walk it is often to a food or water source for a quick bite or sip. In my experience they don't stray very far from that bedding area during the day if there is no pressure.

That archery season is pretty awesome too.  They literally pass out, if you take your time they aren't too hard to get within range of.