Re: Drier than a \"Popcorn Fart\"
I think that if there are still numerous small game about that they must be getting enough moisture in dew and their food to "make it" or else they would be dead. This isn't to say they are getting optimum liquid in their diet, but maybe enough to make it, perhaps in a stressed condition.
We had a record drought in this part of Oklahoma just a few years ago but I didn't notice any change in small game and varmit populations. Probably because Oklahoma has so very many ponds and lakes. As a reaction (over reaction) to the "dust bowl" most places that would make a pond have been made a pond. Of course I am lucky to have 9 ponds on my place, so far, and none of them got seriously low or lost fish during the record drought. I suspect I have some springs, seeps, or surface water that runs into them underground since, on average, they tend to keep their depth better than many ponds around the county. I have lots of turkey, deer, bobcat, 'coons, 'possum, etc watering at my ponds so droughts don't make much impact on watering for the critters, just varius feed stocks.
How far behind are you for the "rain year?" We are doing fine with over 5 inches in August. Might get another cutting of hay. Our average rainfall is about 33-34 inches. Got 13/yr back in San Diego and get an average of 3 inches at my place in Baja. Of course that is subject to tremendous change any given year, like a few years back when a huricane hit the Baja Peninsula and nearly washed us away.
If there really is little or no surface water for great distances, I'd probably get one of those inexpensive kiddie wading pools from Wally World and put it far enough from the house to encourage its use. Put some blocks, bricks, or rocks on both sides (inside and outside) to make a safe way for little critters to get water and get out safely. Monitor it fairly closely, at least every couple days as mosquitos can breed in it and produce flying young in as short a period as 3 days. Just look for "wigglers" (mosquito larvae) and dump the water when present as they will die out of the water. Wouldn't want to have you responsible for a West Nile virus epidemic.
Patrick
