Upstate Obsession

IMG_0020.JPG On a whim, I sat in a redneck overlooking a 6 acre plot complex. 18 deer came in and all rotated through the 7 different plots. Ten of the deer were bucks. Of the does, there was only 1 fawn confirming my suspicions on predation thiis year. I'm convinced a significant reason is the increased number of bears we have around. This is not a small bear looking at the ears/head.
 
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IMAG0018.JPG 09110023.JPG 09120067.JPG Time for a quick update. Bucks have finally rubbed and the mature bucks have pulled out of the bachelor groups. Usually, I find this transitions coincides with a shift to acorns (there are plenty). As I've seen in the past, some bucks turn their attention immediately to does immediately after rubbing. I watched a 3year old taste check three different does last night, and when it was clear they weren't receptive, sprinted two hundred yards to check two does that had just entered the plot complex. Scrapes are seeing a lot more action. I created a couple new ones and "freshened" some others. It's that time year gents:)
 
Well you sure seem able to pull the bucks in! You look to have not only a decent selection this year, but a good "farm system" of them as well...... I like how you adapted the failed plot. Lots of folks give up or get frustrated and want to start from scratch. I like how you turned it into something useful. If the corn doesn't produce at least it will improve the sense of security on the plot. If it does produce then that just icing on the cake!
 
View attachment 9457 On a whim, I sat in a redneck overlooking a 6 acre plot complex. 18 deer came in and all rotated through the 7 different plots. Ten of the deer were bucks. Of the does, there was only 1 fawn confirming my suspicions on predation thiis year. I'm convinced a significant reason is the increased number of bears we have around. This is not a small bear looking at the ears/head.

Yikes that is a large bear. With the bears reducing recruitment so, it is time to take action. I have no experience in bear population control. Hope it is doable within current regulations.
 
IMG_0506.JPG IMG_0507.JPG IMG_0508.JPG Sometime back, we had a discussion on the pros and cons of plots near your cabin. Our home plot is situated in front of our home and is 2.5 acres of clover and chicory with a dozen or so producing apple trees. We have does and fawns/young bucks in it every morning/evening. I've seen as many as 13 deer in it at one time during daylight. As the bucks have rubbed, they break out of bachelor groups and start wondering. We caught photos of these bucks in the front yard 70 yards from the front porch.
 
09200125.JPG With the buffet we put on, it's always interesting to see what the deer are attracted to. Interestingly, these bucks largely ignored fresh oats and triticale favoring instead rutabagas, Winfred brassicas and sugar beets.09200126.JPG
 
IMG_0509.JPG IMG_0510.JPG IMG_0511.JPG The bachelor groups splitting up always coincides with a shift to acorns. These bucks are working an area with a heavy acorn drop.
 
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IMG_0517.JPG IMG_0526.JPG I thought I'd post pics of a couple plots. I count this turnip plot essentially a failure. It was signicantly overseeded and the crowding has limited tubers to marble to golf ball. This was supposed to be an anti-starvation plot for late winter. Other plots planted the same time have softball sized bulbs. The adjacent plot is a successful white clover/chicory plot that has been a great. Chicory is bolting and the deer are mowing it down.
 
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IMG_0523.JPG IMG_0525.JPG This is a LC grain variation (oats/triticale/white & red clover) adjacent to a rutabaga/Winfred brassicas/beets with corn in the background. The clovers are really popping.
 
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In 2012 I planted the Hog Wallow for the first time 4-5 X more rape and turnip seed than I was supposed to. As it turned out thousands of golf balls were every bit of a hit as hundreds of softballs.

G
 
IMG_0548.JPG IMG_0547.JPG Bow season finally started. While I didn't feel well enough to get out, my brother helped out with doe management. The trail cam photo shows the doe just after taking an arrow. She went 135 yds. My excitement this weekend was watching a fisher chase gray squirrels up and down several trees. Sadly, I didn't have a camera.
 
09280045.JPG IMAG0100.JPG 09280042.JPG Big deer are in the acorns of which there are plenty. Big bachelor groups have disbanded, and the deer are wondering much further than during the summer pattern.
 
Great pics of opening weekend - congrats to your brother - I like the cam pic of the bucks crossing the stone wall -
 
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