Still Behind the Curve

We had a short visit to the farm because Joan played golf on Saturday in an event.  We didn't get out there until 5:00pm on Saturday.

I stumbled on this article this week.  It was written for GQ by a non-hunter about who would want to shoot an elephant.  I've never had any desire to do that but, then again, I never thought that I'd want to shoot deer, elk or antelope.  Anyway, I found the article well done and interesting.  GQ -who-wants-to-shoot-an-elephant  For your reading enjoyment.

Van got some of the deer exclusion tape up for me this week.

The pumpkins that I planted 2 weeks ago are doing well. 

Unfortunately there is a sea of weeds ready to take over.  I made a little progress on the first two rows.  Much more effort required. 

These are the ones planted a week ago.  Some are just up and others aren't. 

Sunflowers are doing ok and I got the deer tape up around one field. 

Soybeans are just up.  There are two fields that I didn't get planted and they are sprouting good crops of weeds.  They need turned some more. I sprayed the main field with the herbicide that I had - going to plow it under but would prefer it doesn't go to seed.  Used 2,4,D since I was out of Roundup.

I didn't have time to go looking but I saw some black raspberries were ripe.  They were sour last year but the red ones were heavenly.  May miss them this year. 

My elk antlers were delivered to the office.  I originally thought shoulder mount, then changed my mind to European (bleached skull).  Unfortunately, in the field they remove the skull plate if it is going to be a shoulder mount. 

So, I ended up getting "antlers on board".  It has sort of a suede wrap around the skull plate.  Hung it over the entryway to the room to save wall space for Africa.

We are continuing to do battle with mice.  They just keep coming. 

I sprayed the clover fields for broadleaf weeds (Buterac). 

They are really looking pretty good since I mowed them. 

There's one low weed that will choke out the clover - it's what took over the main field. 

Van and Donny are still working to replace stand ladders with stairs. 

Van cleaned out the pond spillway while I was in Africa.  Apparently it was close to going over the top. 

Turkeys still showing up on camera. 

Strutting in summer.

This buck has a nice start on a good rack. 

Decent

Does - no sign of fawns yet.  Any time. 

I think that those are engorged ticks on the back of the ears.  The insect drive the deer nuts. 

Coyotes still around. 

 Camera tour on arrival.

More minerals - might be my last shot this growing season.  I may not make it out for 2 or 3 weeks.  I think that I will have to find time or the pumpkins will be lost to the weeds.