When we arrived at the farm this week, three gobblers ran out of the clover in the orchard field, crossed the driveway in front of us, and ran into the woods.
This is the view from my blind down the trail - I have a decoy out.
View out the other side into the field - another decoy. I sat here from before sunrise until about 8:00. I heard a couple of gobbles in the distance but never really got any communication going. So I got up and went for a walk. First along the field edges, then down into the woods. More distant gobbles - no action. As I headed in, I came up the atv trail into the barn field. I was careful at the field edge and caught sight of a couple gobblers. I froze but they saw something and headed toward the field edge. I gave them a couple yelps but they were out of sight. I waited, called, waited and then looked around the corner. I could see two red heads sticking out of the woods edge looking my way.
I took a quick shot at the first one and he went straight up in the air about 20' and came down in a brier patch. I went to look for him and saw no sign.
This photo is from the drive out. There were at least six turkeys in the driveway with one strutting as we came around the corner. By the time I got the phone up, only two were left.
The rest of them headed down into the woods. I could see three bright red heads. I'm pretty sure that they are mocking me.
Only a chance for a couple hours of hunting. May get to try again.
On the walk I passed this huge ant hill - looking quite active.
The ferns are in their glory. I didn't spot any morels.
Various flowers blooming.
Orchard clover looks great. I did some spraying in some of the other fields.
Huge bullfrogs in the small frog pond. Also lots of peepers. These tadpoles are in the fish pond. Not sure what they are.
Below is a video of them.
An interesting moth on the barn while I was filling the sprayer.
The old fashion rain gauge showed 1.5" of rain this week.
The fancy new hi-tech weather station showed 0.32" in the last 24 hours and 0.26" earlier in the week. 0.58" vs 1.5". I think I believe the 1.5" - it was wet.
Some of the turkeys that were mocking me.
The three amigos.
A curious buck.
In for a closer look.
Look at the size of Mama.
Little points starting.
Expecting.
This is not a large looking buck but look at the size of these antler bases.
Wow - good start.
Other items of interest - a crow.
Groundhog.
Possum.
Fox tail.
Interesting neck fur. A mane?
Photo of blind last week.
Chores, chores, chores.
They may be mocking me but I don't give up easily.
I received a survey recently from a South African University that was investigating world wide perceptions of their "game ranch" industry. I hope to see the results of that survey some day.
I'm not sure how many people are aware of the philosophy that underpins most of the wildlife conservation laws in the US. Here is a summary of that model written by the Boone and Crocket Club. The North American Model Of Wildlife Conservation
I witnessed a different approach when we went to South Africa. I stumbled across this article recently that describes some of the practices there. South African Wildlife Ranching
Not sure that there is a right or wrong. I much prefer wild, free ranging, naturally occurring. But you can't argue with the success of South Africa preserving and growing populations that would otherwise be depleted/extinct. The extremes of the SA game ranching approach - breeding genetic oddities for trophy hunting, "put and take" lion hunting, etc are too much for me. Not sure where the line should be drawn.
To a degree, even QDMA practices are "game ranching". And US State Wildlife Department quotas and seasons are "game management". Some people argue that the extirpation of predators that occurred in most civilized/agricultural areas over history is the same thing (hence reintroduction of wolves, etc). I suppose that I'll vote my opinion by what I choose to participate in. I will always favor wild free-ranging versus high fenced and managed. But I'm afraid that over time, there will be less and less wild and free-ranging.
This was Joan's first trip out to the farm since hip surgery. The good news is that there are no steps.
She wasn't ready to tour via Ranger so we did a short loop via GMC Yukon.
I got out and about though.
I didn't do an autopsy on this fish in the pond. So far just one so hopefully nothing major.
The prairie planting from last year.
There are some wildflowers blooming in it.
I'm not sure if they were part of the planting or just the native seed bank in the soil.
I suspect the later.
I mowed some of the clover plots for weed control.
The redbuds are past peak but the dogwoods are near peak.
I don't remember pink ones in prior years - seems like they were mostly white.
I found a shed antler while mowing near the driveway stand.
The rodents had already been chewing it.
I set up a ground blind in case I can get some time to turkey hunt. The season opens Monday morning.
Green up has started.
The grass is really long already in some spots.
Joan spotted this rose breasted grosbeak at the feeder. At least I think that's what it is.
Ed was out and got the fertilizer spread. We never made it happen last year.
I did some spraying for grass control in the clover about 10 days ago. No evidence of it working. Broadleaf control is also needed.
A red fox showed up several places.
Coyotes still in force.
In spite of the predators, the turkeys are here.
Not as much strutting this week and I didn't hear any gobbles.
More gobblers than hens on camera.
The three amigos.
Small antler bumps.
Bigger belly bumps.
Stretch.
Nobody up there now.
It is the one year anniversary of the multiple murders in the neighborhood. Still no arrests. Here's the latest press coverage. Pike County Murders Article
