The number of people that set up and leave ground blinds or treestands on water holes and never hunt them is ridiculous! In a couple areas I hunt it is very common to see blinds and treestands just sit for weeks with no visible action. They are typically set up by a few Outfitters I know of weeks before the season, and stay up all season long.
Just to be clear, I don't hunt waterholes, so it doesn't really matter to me, I am just amazed that people do it... If anything I look for the travel routes to the water holes and set up off those. Typically I like to be about 300-400 yards from a water hole. Manly because I feel the animals aren't as cautious/ nervous while walking to a water hole versus being at the water hole...
What are your thoughts and experiences?
I would hate to see it so that we couldn't hunt water. I really enjoy photographing and taking video of the various wildlife that come into the water while waiting for my target animal. Sitting a trail, salt etc. just could not replace the enjoyment of seeing all of the other species and antics that animals do while at water.