Stone Branch, build it, they will come.
- Thread starter George
- Start date
George
Well-Known Member
I did dust off the Encore prior to the early 2 day season. I plan on shooting that load and reloading. I'm hosting family deer camp for muzzleloader, bro Gary and nephew Grant.
My neighbor Adam also stressed the importance of being in the stand an hour before light so I was getting in around 5:30.
G
TheOldOak
Active Member
Good luck in the home stretch! This year has been a struggle for me as well, I took a giant spike buck in October with bow thinking it was a doe, didn't even see the 5 inch spikes until I tracked it down. One buck in Indiana, so that ended my buck hunting. My property is located in southern Indiana, full of hills and ravines and looks pretty similar to your terrain. First year the bucks were mostly 2.5 year olds at the oldest. It took about 3 years to build some age structure. Most of the deer I've taken are 2.5 to 3.5 year old 8 pointers, nice deer but nothing huge. The big deer have a tendency to be nocturnal most of the time though, at least on my place they are. I've girdled many of the junk trees and opened up 1-2 acre spots in the middle of the woods. The deer have definitely taken a liking to those spots and know where to go when the pressure is on! I also try to walk into the woods rather than take an ATV. I've seen deer make a beeline to my property when the neighbor heads into the woods with the ATV roaring right before dawn. I've also had similar results with the turnips. Deer seem to only hit the bulbs when the snow falls, although they will pick at the leaves some after the first frost. Anyway, good luck with late season!
George
Well-Known Member
The light is fading on my 2019 Kentucky deer season and this thread.
There were a few deer seen but none killed. One highlight came while on my way up to the rock pile to get my stool.
I stopped to say, those look like persimmons
and they are persimmons, with fruit still in the tree and on the ground. I found another six or so persimmons out in front of where I had been sitting which helps explain the deer trail that I found through the area. I will develop this area into a hunting spot.
Other than some lip service from my one doe group the turnips received little attention to this point as of late.
One of the bigger 9pts survived the rifle season but is carrying a pusser around. Most of the original younger bucks are still around.
My doe group of four is still intact as well as one or two other doe/fawn combos.
Oh, and my little 10 point that abandoned me opening morning has been pictured many times recently toking on a Boss Buck corn pipe a few ridges over on the property to the west.
"Build it They Will Come", I have much more design and construction to tend to and I am anxious to get back to it.
G
TRADEMARKTEXAN
New Member
Can’t wait for the next chapter. Hope you had a great Christmas and have an even better new year.
George
Well-Known Member
Been wondering about you George... I hope getting electric wasn’t too big of a deal or cost too much. On the tree hugging I think sunlight to the ground is gonna pay dividends. I haven’t nearly done as much as I had planned to at this time but in the back of my mind I am always thinking if I stay out a little longer I will I’d more sheds. Thinking tree thinning will start in earnest after mid February. Glad to see you have pictures of a nice one that made it. Pressure must be high around you.
George
Well-Known Member
Hi Johnny, about $1500 for electrical supplies. I have a 200 amp drop to the tobacco barn so it was pretty simple to suspend 100 amps to the shop. It was just a matter of getting it done.
I need to get some good greens growing up on the ridge in order to start holding bucks a little tighter.
Compared to what I am used to, I would say that the human hunting pressure around me is light. The coyote hunting pressure is heavy. I haven't seen any coyote killed deer but they are always hunting on my property.
Hi Tom, not much of a winter in KY compared to what we are used to. Temperature wise, Kentucky winter is more like Pagosa summer.
G
George
Well-Known Member
Hi Doug, I'm cutting the dead ash and sugar maple into firewood. I will burn up the rest of it as a camp fire. I would like to figure up a means to start cutting up some boards. I'm kind of in a position where I can be a bit of a firewood snob.
I'll do what I did last year and throw lime and seeds.
My monster guard dog turns out is a bit of a fraidy cat when it comes to somethings, the dark, cougars, zombies, falling trees. He heads for the different hills when the trees start falling.
The new digs are a worth while upgrade from last winters box trailer.
G
I noticed some portable sawmills for sale on Facebook marketplace near me...been thinking of getting one. I am taking down a lot of really nice trees with the dozer that I have just burned in a pile. Starting to save them now for wood...
George
Well-Known Member
After cutting and girdling some of the bigger sugar maples I got the notion that perhaps I should be tapping instead of killing the bigger sugars on the slope.
I started my assault on the high ground and took the hill.
The trees remaining are 6-8" sugar maples, I'm still debating on their future.
Too late to treat maple stumps the sugar is flowing.
Since I couldn't get deer to come down the hill and eat the turnips I delivered a bucket up top along with a bucket of corn. I can't give the things away.
G
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Good to hear from you Geo. I admire all of that work you are accomplishing.
PS: Turnips just rot down my way and nothing will touch them. I get a moderate amount of action on radishes but nothing to write home about....
George
Well-Known Member
I sure do especially if I can get something to burn. My dilemma is that I don't want to top kill any of my red buds. I just looked and I don't see anything burning at your place.
Thanks Steve, I have been getting some pretty good exercise up there. My renewed emphasis on not dropping any more trees on my head has also been working out for me.
I guess that these Kentucky deer just have it too good to have to eat turnips. I'd bet that they would eat peppermint horse treats. So i'll just dump my rye and clover seed and not have to worry about army worms.
G
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a good plan. Also, try experimenting with a little wheat, and I think you might like it better than rye in KY. I introduced my picky deer to sunhemp and buckwheat, and they took to it well.
