J-birds place

[j-bird]

Well, We went "tractor fishing" Saturday morning. My son works for a company that has 2 sides of the business....one is a diesel repair shop (where my boy works during the day) and the other is a towing and recovery business (where my boy works on occasion in the evenings). Well it turns out the towing and recovery business had just the ticket for what I needed.

So things went so well I didn't even have the chance to take pics or video of actually pulling it out because it went that quickly!

The mess..... My 790 Deer with loader and rotary mower....stuck in the mud for a week. When you go fishing....you need to know what your fishing for...


The TDS (Tommy's Diesel Shop) bobcat..... When you go fishing you need a means to get to where you are going to do the fishing.


The 20,000 lbs hydraulic winch attachment..... When fishing you need to make sure you got the right gear for what your fishing for.


This deal worked out great....it was small enough to get down my trails thru the woods. Had the tools to do the job plenty well enough and was in and out faster than it took us to get to the actual site. I got the tractor home and gave it a bath....because it needed it. This is only the second time I have gotten it stuck to the point that I needed help. I hate getting stuck!

 

[OkieKubota]

Sometimes, things go your way....

My boy and I have been working on an idea of a mobile shooting house for a while. I have a bottom area that floods nearly every spring and as such I can't put anything permanent down there without the worry of it ending up in the next county (literally) next spring. As such we have been working on an idea of using something on wheels that I can pull out of the bottom once hunting season is over and pull back into place come summer....or even move to a different part of the farm.

This is the beginning of our "gravity wagon" project. She gets a little squirrelly over 30 mph, so it was a long drive home....but for $250 I think we did pretty good. All new tires, new wood beams, fresh bearings and no significant rust that I can see. I almost feel bad not trying to sell it and make some money....but this works perfectly. I think we are just going to build on top and not actually cut on the wagon itself. It's 6 feet wide x 9 1/2 feet long and the top lip sits about 7 feet off the ground. We will put an enclosed home-made blind on the top and be set!
View attachment 16516
THEN....sometimes things DON'T go your way!!!!

I was/am SOoooo frick'n Pissed! I crossed the creek like I have in the past without issue. I went to come back across and the tractor slid and sunk! I worked for 3 hours trying to get it out....blew out my infamous flip-flop in the process!!! This is the 2nd time I have had it stuck that I required assistance to get it out. We will be pulling it out this afternoon. I had to walk away from it.... I was so upset I either had to walk away or I was going to set it on fire! Walking away was tougher on the pride, but cheaper in the long run. Man was I a cursing fool! I'm not sure who came up with the front wheel assist concept on these things but the whole power to the free wheel concept is a bunch of garbage. I'm thinking I need to see if they make a detroit locker type front axle for my tractor!
View attachment 16517

That’s the cleanest stuck tractor I have ever seen...was the Brushhog adjusted to where it was lifted completely out of the mud or were you trying to drag it through?

 

[j-bird]

Some videos from the cam pull....nothing special....I just like watching the bucks...

 

[j-bird]

That’s the cleanest stuck tractor I have ever seen...was the Brushhog adjusted to where it was lifted completely out of the mud or were you trying to drag it through?

I had the hitch as high as it would go and the mower was articulated as far as it would go as well. Essentially the mower was up on a bank keeping the tires from being able to get much traction.....and the front was sunk to the frame so it was not allowing the front tires from getting much traction. I was simply screwed. The mud wasn't super sloppy to have it get slung everywhere, just soft enough to not cooperate.

 

[farmhunter]

Hd very similar happen a few years back. A neighbor with an outsized backhoe helped me out. My rear tires were up past the axles - he just almost picked me up with that big Hoe. I don't know what else I would have done. Hate getting stuck - I over avoid areas now.

 

[j-bird]

Had an interesting weekend. Friday night...yes NIGHT. I broadcast some turnips into my beans and then sprayed the weeds in those plots. I knew Saturday would be busy and I wanted to get that done.

Saturday - I was a man of many talents. I was an Uber and financial adviser....taking my oldest daughter to pick up her car form being looked at (she needs new wheel bearing for both from wheels) and she went to the bank and we discussed her financial options. I was a cheerleader and emotional coach as I went to watch my youngest daughter play volleyball for school (she is a captain on the JV team and is not thrilled about being on JV but is accepting a leadership role there). I then got home and became a mechanic and helped my son pull an engine/trans which was a trick....he did most of the actual wrenching....I just operated the loader and tried to ensure he kept what is left of all of his fingers. Then after that I was seamstress, running a sewing machine helping my middle daughter alter her dress for her senior pictures that would be taken the next day. The life of a parent!

Sunday I decided I didn't know any of those people and went looking for some down time. The quote is from Elton Trueblood, "A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit".




I made a trip out to my folks place...formerly my grandparents place over the weekend with Emma (my youngest) and Buddy (one of or dogs). We took a walk down to a walnut grove my grandfather planted....roughly 25 to 30 years ago. My daughter was saying how much she liked that area and was enjoying herself, just walking down the rows. I just stood back and thought about the man who planted those trees and how he would have enjoyed the walk....and seeing his great granddaughter enjoying herself. I'm sure he saw...just a different vantage point than than the one I had. Sometimes I think it's important to re-connect to where it all began.

 

[OkieKubota]

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[j-bird]

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Yep - something like that! Of all the things that man gave me over our time together..... the most valuable...is one of those things you can't buy and you can't put a price on!

 

[j-bird]

So did some work over the weekend, but had a little fun as well....

I mowed my "deer" paths.... and took some pictures of that. I know there was a recent thread about them so I tried to document a little better what I do.

So this shows a perfect example of my place. To the right we have a crop field (corn this year). In the middle is my "buffer" of switchgrass and native weeds. To the left is a narrow strip of hardwoods that is a slope that increase in elevation from the point of view of where I am standing to take the picture.


So the first edge is the edge between the corn and the grasses. In some cases these are used naturally. And in others I mow along it so I can access other parts of my property. The key is that this is a edge created between habitat types and once harvest happens these edges will no longer be used by the deer because of it being so exposed.



So to ensure I create a stable and somewhat reliable means of knowing where the deer will be I like to also create a path (typically with mowing) along the next natural edge....in this case between the grass/weed area and the hardwoods.


I like a winding path with "blind" corners....this seems to be preferred by the deer and seem to allow them to cautiously moving along the path without being in a hurry by feeling exposed. I also like to mow close to potential rub trees or even under some overhanging branches and the like to facilitate scrapes. I then hang stands in the hardwoods that overlook this "path" and the deer move by and have no idea I am there.



Then finally the key is to "connect the dots". Below you see how the "path" opens up into a small plot with the the natural deer trail opening in the woods just opposite. This then leads to a path that is maintained in the woodlot (in the winter after season closes) where hopefully the deer bed on some slope/points in there.


I mow late in the summer to avoid hitting fawns and turkey nests. I have found these natural edges tend to be favorite places for critters to try to hide. I could just as easy maintain this trail with chemicals as well. I also tend to put down some rye in small places along the path just to cause the deer to stop .....so I can get a shot as well. Not every deer plays this game by the rules. Some deer will still push thru the weeds....some will still follow the exposed edge, but created early enough, most deer will follow the path created, just make sure your not doing this into your bedding areas. This ease of access also gets used by yotes and the like as well. You can also create what is called a "track trap" along a trail like this to see how quickly the deer will take to it. Just remove the vegetation form the trail for a 3 foot length or so. This will show the deer tracks very clearly and give you an idea of size, direction and potentially numbers....depending on how frequently you check it. The key to these "deer paths" is that they are for the deer....NOT YOU! Stay off of them. Don't run quads on them, or use them to access stands. All those limbs and weeds that the deer use to leave scent and the like will hold yours as well.....not good.

 

[j-bird]

Now the fun....

Took the 15 y/o out for her first drive. I can't speak for everyone, but where I come from....you start with the lawn mower, then the ATV or tractor and sooner or later you end up in a pick-truck in the boonies on a seldom used road....

Somebody wasn't keeping her eyes on the road and was not amused! She tends to over think things so she had no idea I was going to have her drive. I just stopped the truck and got out and had her move over! She got a little nervous when we reached about 20mph.... Already had to implement rule #1....LEFT FOOT....NEVER LEAVES THE FLOOR (when driving an automatic). She asked "Do you feel safe with me driving?"......Ummmm, I was taking a selfie! I don't know many folks who do that when they are worried about dying!


Well we survived the drive and caught a few fish.... Emma caught a nice 14" bass (she claims it was a 20 pounder....Oh, her great-grandfather's fish telling stories gene is showing)! We both caught a few bass and then we went and sat in the shade on the dock and caught some bluegill (Brim for you southern folks).... The boy and his girl-friend came out as well. It was pretty hot so the wife and other girls just went to mom and dad's (AC). We all went over there and had burger's and dog on the grill. Sometimes....it's the simple things.

 

[Hoosierhunting]

Now the fun....

Took the 15 y/o out for her first drive. I can't speak for everyone, but where I come from....you start with the lawn mower, then the ATV or tractor and sooner or later you end up in a pick-truck in the boonies on a seldom used road....

Somebody wasn't keeping her eyes on the road and was not amused! She tends to over think things so she had no idea I was going to have her drive. I just stopped the truck and got out and had her move over! She got a little nervous when we reached about 20mph.... Already had to implement rule #1....LEFT FOOT....NEVER LEAVES THE FLOOR (when driving an automatic). She asked "Do you feel safe with me driving?"......Ummmm, I was taking a selfie! I don't know many folks who do that when they are worried about dying!
View attachment 16721

Well we survived the drive and caught a few fish.... Emma caught a nice 14" bass (she claims it was a 20 pounder....Oh, her great-grandfather's fish telling stories gene is showing)! We both caught a few bass and then we went and sat in the shade on the dock and caught some bluegill (Brim for you southern folks).... The boy and his girl-friend came out as well. It was pretty hot so the wife and other girls just went to mom and dad's (AC). We all went over there and had burger's and dog on the grill. Sometimes....it's the simple things.
View attachment 16722

Great memories being made there. We started a little earlier in my day, by 14 you were expected to drive a work truck behind your dad driving the crane to a jobsite. Pretty sure they wouldn’t be as understanding nowadays....probably considered child neglect.


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[j-bird]

Great memories being made there. We started a little earlier in my day, by 14 you were expected to drive a work truck behind your dad driving the crane to a jobsite. Pretty sure they wouldn’t be as understanding nowadays....probably considered child neglect.


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I wasn't driving that early....but going to the boonies and learning the basics with Dad is just part of the process as far as I am concerned. You drive something that is probably worth more in scrap than re-sell value and you find some desolate stretch of blacktop or gravel. Dad sits in the middle (bench seat) with his left foot on the drivers floor board in case you try to do something really dumb. Somebody come at you or up from behind....you just pull over and wave. They know what your doing...

 

[OkieKubota]

I am teaching Eli to drive now...he will be 14 in October. I learned at 11 driving in the hayfields...

Kudos to you jbird and kudos to your daughter on the fishing and driving!

 

[j-bird]

I am teaching Eli to drive now...he will be 14 in October. I learned at 11 driving in the hayfields...

Kudos to you jbird and kudos to your daughter on the fishing and driving!

Thanks Okie. Nothing wrong with starting them a little early if you have the means. Emma started with my little tractor a year ago or so. It also depends on the kid....some are eager to learn others are not. Once we get driving down....then we move on to driving a manual transmission.... you know, the Millennial vehicle anti-theft device!

 

[j-bird]

Got a little stupid with the picture taking saturday....but recent rains had warranted it to some extent.

It had been dry, but a few rain showers really caused the "weeds" to bloom. I know what some of these are, but not all of them....I was just surprised by all the color. Lots of Ironweed and golden rod.


Some milkweed, jewel weed and the vining honeysuckle is flowering as well.


With flowers come the pollinators....It sort of turned into a butterfly safari! The bull thistle seemed to be a favorite. Again not sure what they all are, but I got a monarch and some different swallowtail I think. This was just a sample of what was around. I was in my summer habitat cloths (flip flops and cargo shorts) so going "deeper into the bush" after my prey wasn't really in the cards!


The bean plots are looking good. I sprayed a week ago or so to address weeds and broadcast my turnips (no sign of them yet). I will add some wheat in a little bit. The soybeans are being browsed heavier than normal due to area fields being fallow but still seem to be making beans. This is my North corner plot area. My 2 chestnuts are roughly 10 feet tall but no burs. My persimmons where the graft died has bounced back nicely and is roughly 3 feet tall now. My sawtooth (catscratch) oaks are doing well and the best ones are taller than their 5 foot cages. They seem to be bushy and may need some thinning, but I will have to do some digging into their growth habit and form first. Clover plot got some overseeding as well. We will see how that turns out. In fact all the existing clover plots got some overseeding.


My north triangle plot in the woods. This seems to be holding it's own. I will have to address some smartweed and nettle in this plot, but that was expected. The paw-paw are fruiting and my chinkapin oaks are showing some acorns as well.

 

[j-bird]

Like I said...the picture taking got a bit out of hand....sorry all the "pretty" picture are on the previous post!

Here is my MG screen. The older stuff is 8 feet tall while the younger is roughly 4. I anticipate it will "fill out" at some point, but they are planted roughly on 3 feet center. The wire fence is supporting the honeysuckle well ( may need to help it spread some) and the transplanted cedars provide the next layer and then the MG. Hopefully I will use these MG plants to spread my screening efforts.


As we move to the SW part of the farm I have an apple tree that the coons have not found....yet. Not a banner year, but I have just started getting fruit the past few years so hopefully as the tree matures it will continue to improve. Don;t ask what variety....I was too dumb to label it when it was planted. It's "people" apple of some sort is all I know.


My once tattered chestnut tree recover project. It is responding well, considering it was reduced to a 12" stick. It's 3 feet tall now.


When I was up on the other side of the place I went to check on the water hole....and for any dead deer from EHD (since is seems to be an issue this summer in southern Indiana. Water hole is down about a foot and a little stirred up.....but the water being stirred up.....had some help! Maggie loves the water.....hates a bath!


My crabapples seem to be doing well also. I think I have a few that need some trimming as they are trying to form double leaders....I'll put a stop to that once they do dormant. They are above their 5 feet tall cages now. Pictured is my dolgos and their form seems OK....my chestnut crabs....are a little more "precocious" in nature.

 

[j-bird]

So the holiday weekend started off rough...

Friday afternoon I had to say farewell to the best dog I have ever had. Lucy was my companion for nearly 14 years. She wanted to be where I was regardless of the situation. Age finally slowed her down over the past year or so and Friday morning after a rough week she couldn't even get herself up off the floor. She HATED to show any signs of weakness around me. And as hard of a decision as it was....it was time. Lucy was part lab part healer and smart as a tack. She wasn't a hunting dog, but as with all our dogs was a true member of the family. I had never been hit by a loss of a dog like I was with her....


Saturday was mowing and the like but I did take a walk to help clear my head some. My beans in my plots are putting on pods and my brassica is just starting to germinate. Normally I plant my brassica on Labor day weekend, but I broadcast a week or two ago so hopefully I will see a bigger plant and hopefully warrant an increased interest in the deer. In the pic with the very small brassica that is a buckeye for reference. I did pull cam cards but nothing much to report there either (but no dead deer from EHD thus far either on my place). I think one of my cams is messed up as it reads the SD card as being full....when there is nothing on it. I'll have to dig into it further....it's just a cheap stealth cam, but we will see.



Sunday....I got me a new habitat "tool". It took some running and the like and some frustration, but it works well now. I got me a Stihl FS111 clearing saw. I only have the weed wacker head on it for now, but it's nice having a real tool to do some work. I historically have been too much of a tight ass to spend serious money on a serious weed wacker. I had used a tool like this back in my younger days and loved it...but 3 to 4 hundred dollars for a weed wacker just seemed like too much in the past. Well, I got my bonus check....and I was wacking weeds like a champ on sunday!

Monday....We officially started "project: Battle Wagon". So to start we got a gravity cart. It was recently repaired with all bearing replaced and 4 new tires....I think we paid $250 for it. The intent is to be able to move the blind when needed. I have a floodplain area where I want a shooting house, but I have concerns about what the water would do to a fairly fixed structure over time. With this....I can pull it into position a month or so before season....and once season is closed or we are done....I simply pull it to higher ground. We will be gun hunting from it, so the deer getting used to it I don't think will be a significant issue....and they see carts like this all the time as it is.


First real step was figuring out how to put a platform on/in it. I considered putting the floor down in the wagon.... But the more I looked at it....I wanted as much height as would be reasonable. So I put the "deck" on the top lip of the hopper. The "deck" is pressure treated 2x8's. I have 2 "stringers" that run the length of the hopper to tie everything together. The stringers are wedged in a way that they can not move fore and aft and they are also inside the "pockets" so they can not shift side to side either. The hopper is 76" wide, but I am not sure of how long it is. Doing it this way also means no modifications to the cart itself. That makes things simpler on me as I am not a metal fabricator.


I used a ratchet strap to pull all the boards together to reduce any gaps (they will be sealed with caulk or expanding foam if needed). And each is screwed in with 3" coated decking screws. The majority of the boards I had where already 8 feet long and I wasn't going to cut them first. I simply put them up and then would cut them off later. Which was a great idea....until the battery for my saw died (and my other battery seems to be on the fritz). So I improvised.....and used the chainsaw. Not really the best tool for the job and it sure isn't pretty, but it got the job done. We left the two pockets open in the front and put 2x4's in them as this will be where the ladder goes and I figured I might as well use those pockets. If I decide I "need" to use the other pockets....I'll make that happen. Hopefully this coming weekend I can get my battery replaced and some sheeting and we can get some walls framed up.

 

[George]

Sorry for your loss.

G

 

[Hoosierhunting]

Sorry to hear that J Bird. It took me years before I could get another dog after my boy Patton passed away. We finally got a new pup last November and it’s been really nice to have a dog around again. Takes some time when a great one passes to heal.


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[j-bird]

I did get some work done on the "battle wagon" project. Lots more to do, but progress none the less. Progress is slow as I am designing and building at the same time and am working by myself.... I tend to do a lot more "thinking" than building in the early stages. I decided to assemble the blind portion at ground level first. Less likely to fall and/or do something really stupid!

Windows are 24" tall by 48" wide (inside). I have plans to install typical vinyl sliding windows (hopefully double sliders). The enclosure will be 6 feet wide outside dimension and roughly 7' feet outside. There will be a 3' landing/porch as well. Wall construction is all 2"x4". Some of the ends (that reach for the sky) are currently 16' long and there is discussion about adding a platform on the roof (and thus a railing as well). Right now windows are 36" from the floor but that may change.....I won't fishing those out until we have things up on the wagon and we can see if we like that height or not. I had to stop.....ran out of screws and juice (down to only 1 battery for my tools).....