But where to sit? The deer are definitely hitting the turnips but the hi-rise is not a great archery stand. It is high and in a big open field - only chance brings them into range. I like the driveway for archery - probably because I took my only archery buck there.
And they have definitely been digging thru the snow to get at the remaining clover.
It was chilly but still a nice sit. I saw eight does show up in the turnips (of course). I think I saw a buck up there at last light. The lack of activity near me might have had something to do with my clumsiness. I hooked the trigger of my release in the neck strap of my binoculars and pulled them off a shelf to clunk on the floor.
Last week I moved a camera to the hi-rise stand stair tower to look down on the turnips.
Low and behold, this buck walked right under it. I watched the crowd of deer up in the general vicinity of this camera from my hunting stand. When I checked it the next morning, there were no shots. I think they have to be very close to trigger it at this angle.
Here he is in the orchard - he showed up late.
The does had already sucked up the stale apples that I threw out there last week.
They seemed to enjoy them. I hope it gives them an energy boost for this tough winter.
We had an inch or two of snow over night. That is always fun because I can follow fresh tracks. I have always read (and observed) that bucks walk with a foot dragging swagger. They leave distinctive tracks with the footprints connected.
Does are "high-steppers". They walk around like show horses lifting their hooves up high. Of course there's usually a difference in size of the print too.
When I went for my walk this morning, I cut some nice buck tracks right by the barn (near the gutting spot). I followed them into the atv trail to the drop off where they veered off thru the woods. I followed them along the ridge parallel to the field edge, below the hanging stand. Eventually they went past the end of the barn field and followed the same trail as Kristen's doe took a couple years ago. I gave up when they left the property.
I came out in the pond field and there were doe and buck tracks everywhere.
I don't remember seeing this upended tree previously.
Below the pond hi-rise - they worked this whole field looking for clover.
It has been a tough winter already and it isn't even February yet. Everything they have to sustain them quit growing in October.
As usual, they've worked over the pine trees. This one will probably die. It has been skinned 360 degrees.
I find that these double trunk trees stand a better chance of survival. They usually retain bark on at least part of their circumference.
This one looks like it has had sprouts killed numerous times in the past.
This one too.
Saturday I made a stop at this new store in Northern KY (near CVG airport). It's similar to a Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop.
They had some great mounts. This bull elk was awesome - especially the lower part of its rack.
This reminded me of Leo's bobcat/duck mount. There were a few sales that I couldn't resist - a Cuddeback camera was $80 off.
Ballistic humor courtesy of Leo. He found this posted over a urinal somewhere.
Making the camera tour.
It was chilly. 20F according to this camera.
Sunday morning stroll.
The one-sided buck is still running around.
Our friend, the Lab.
Coyotes.
Winter food desperation - evidence in all fields.
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