The winter is tough for deer. They survive the cold by eating the few remaining edibles - acorns and twigs. Once things green up and start to grow, they've got it made. Until then, they're living on the edge and just trying to survive.
This is a shot fom my security camera. I just happened to catch a deer coming to the bird feeder. How hungry do they need to be to do this?
Joan and I took a ride in the golf cart at home. We found this deer out on #17.
I put a little corn out in two spots last week. It attracted quite a crowd.
The second corn spot. The deer are at their thinnest right now.
And at this time of year, you still get weather like this.
The deer grow a winter coat of grey hollow hair. It looks like they've pretty well shed it by now. In the summer, their coats are red/orange.
The first thing to start to turn green is the clover - this is the main field.
Also getting green below the high-rise stand. Most of the shrubbery won't green up until late April or early May.
I found a set of shed antlers in the woods - the second one is beside the log.
Pretty decent but the rodents had been at work on them.
They are quick and will eat the whole antler before long.
This is the deer trail into the thick prickers where I found the antlers.
The National Wild Turkey Federation was having a sale on tree seedlings so I went ahead and ordered some.
I got 25 each of these two types. Sawtooth oak and persimmon. Both the deer and turkeys appreciate these trees.
Planted with a dibble bar. My experience has been at least 50% attrition.
Another early sign of Spring.
I threw a few bulbs behind the target stand years ago.
I would like to meet this guy on the bottom right in about a month. Nice looking gobbler.
Can you see the turkey head? This is the only thing that showed up on camera.
Groundhog.
Possum.
Fox.
Tom and Joan. It was nice enough both weekends for Joan to come out on a tour.
Can't believe that some of these young bucks still have antlers. It's about time to start growing new ones.
No corn here - just minerals. But it still attracted a crowd.
Another antler.
Looking skinny.
Joan decided the 52" plasma tv was too small and not bright enough due to window glare. New 70" LED seems to have done the trick. Elk head needs to be raised.
Other exciting news - the deadbeat outfitter who screwed us on the elk hunt in 2012 has refunded 1/2 of our deposits. He promises to pay the other 1/2 soon.
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