Found Another One

I made a quick out and back trip to the farm since it had been a couple of weeks and I may not get back for a couple more.  It was cold for the end of March - low 20's when I arrived.  I made a quick spin to check the cameras.

 I did find another shed antler right in front of the main field stand.  It's another reasonable 4 point.

 These are this year's discoveries.  I believe they are pairs.  My guess is that all three deer were 2 1/2 year olds and may be shooters next season.

 I did a little frost seeding on the two new plots from last year.  They were pretty spotty when I planted them so maybe this will fill them in.

 Always a pleasant welcome in the cabin when the mouse traps are full.  How many can there be?

 I took a big walk following deer trails near the property borders.

I crossed the creek in the valley below the ridge stand.

Just on the other side of the creek I found this blind.  I suspect it was up since deer season.

I also found this hunting stand.  Both were just across the border on the neighbor's property.

 With a couple of weeks on the trailcams there were some interesting shots.  Here a deer is approaching the food block that I had out but a fox got there first.

 A coyote also checked it out.  I had two cameras on this spot but only one of them showed the coyote and the fox.

 This deer is annoyed that a cat is at the food block.

 Groundhog.

 Coyote.

Fox.

Raccoon.

 Raccoon.

 This is how the food block started out in the orchard.

 It attracted a lot of attention.

 Buck.

This guy doesn't want to share.

Buck.

 Driveway plot.

 Some crowds gathered.

 First one.

Then two.

Actually four.

Time for a stretch.

And maybe a nap.

 This shot is the turnip field.  It's like the field was cultivated by hooves.  No sign of any turnips left.

 Last visit - shed antler in Ranger.  Turkey season is a month away.  No turkeys showing up on cameras at this point.

22F.  If it looks cold that's because it was.

More on Eating Habits

How about grasshoppers?  Here's an article on dietary grasshoppers.  Grasshoppers

Eaglecam

Pretty neat video of eagle descent from Burj Khalifa in Dubai.  Eaglecam

No farm this weekend - grandson Tommy visiting in Mason.

Weather Breaks - Walk In The Woods

Snow last weekend transitioning to an inch of rain on Friday and sunny with high in the 60's today.  Must be March.

 Two of my Florida hunting buddies are recuperating this week.  Kristen had her much delayed hip surgery.  I'm sure that rehab will go smoothly with two little ones at home.  Todd decided to do battle with an automobile on one of his routine 75 mile bike rides.  He's lucky it's just a sprained ankle.  Aunt Karen has these two and Lily to nurse back to health.  Lily is their 10 year old golden-doodle that just had a knee repair.  Get well soon everybody!

 This is what greeted us on arrival.  The mice are still active.

After an inch of rain, and given the melted snow, there was standing water everywhere.

 Even the turnip field was holding water.

 With the snow gone, an antler appeared right in front of the main field stand.

 It's a nice 4 point.  He probably wasn't a shooter this year but should be by next season.

 These are the shed antlers that I have found this season.  No shooters but all have a good chance for next year.

 Here's my collection of shed antlers from previous years.  I usually only keep the interesting ones.

 I finished up the jerky batch that I started last week.

Now that the turnip field is clear, you can see that they have eaten virtually all of them.

 A couple warm days with rain and the clover is already starting to green up.

 Saturday night this pond field was full of deer nibbling on these little clover sprouts.

 I'm always surprised to find large new upturned trees.

 Most of the time these creeks are dry.

This is the spot where I had a buck down last December.

 Close by I found a bone.  It wasn't from my buck but I did lose an archery buck in this area a couple of years ago (the high 8).  I couldn't find any more bones.

 Interesting tree.  I think this is the work of a pileated woodpecker.

 They are pretty efficient.

 More buck rubs - this time on a cedar.

 The trash that I find in the woods is always interesting.

This skull was in the woods by the pond stand.

 Green clover.

 Sunday morning  I tried to follow the deer trails in hopes of finding more shed antlers.

 I drove down to the valley stand and then walked a huge loop around the woods above it.

 Several large trees caught my attention.

The beeches are always interesting.

 Big cavity in this tree.

 Many beeches have hollows.

Atv trail down to the creek crossing.

 The ferns seem to be immune from the deer.

 Another woodpecker tree.

 Joan and I touring last week.

 A week later and all clear.