Kaleo Hills-Property tour

[MarkDarvin]

I cant' see a ton of hawksbeard in that photo, but I do see a lot of rye and vetch. Did you kill off that plot completely when you put this crop in?

 

[weekender21]

I cant' see a ton of hawksbeard in that photo, but I do see a lot of rye and vetch. Did you kill off that plot completely when you put this crop in?

There is no hawksbeard in that picture, it’s mainly in the lower elevation portion of that plot. Burned down twice with gly last year. Everything dead except the hawksbeard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

Here’s a good picture of the culprit. Hard to tell apart from dandelion until it bolts.

Thick at this location.

Some Oxeye Daisy too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MarkDarvin]

There is no hawksbeard in that picture, it’s mainly in the lower elevation portion of that plot. Burned down twice with gly last year. Everything dead except the hawksbeard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's what I suspected. You've got those two weeds because that's all that could survive after the burndown applications. I call them response plants.

This is just the goofy regen guy's perspective, but... I wouldn't spray them or work them up. I'd wait until late in the season and just spread more rye and vetch in there, and mow it as low to the ground as you can. They got the upper hand because nothing else could grow. As you heal back from the gly applications and rebuild your soil ecosystem, those will get muscled out by healthier plants as soil function returns. It's a leap of faith, but trust your soil will heal and evolve, and when it does, the plants it supports will also evolve.

 

[MarkDarvin]

I'd even throw some flax in there. If you can't get any locally from a seed dealer, you could try some from an organic grocery store, or even a regular grocery store. You only need about a pound per acre in a mix. Flax is a great host for beneficial soil organisms.

 

[weekender21]

That's what I suspected. You've got those two weeds because that's all that could survive after the burndown applications. I call them response plants.

This is just the goofy regen guy's perspective, but... I wouldn't spray them or work them up. I'd wait until late in the season and just spread more rye and vetch in there, and mow it as low to the ground as you can. They got the upper hand because nothing else could grow. As you heal back from the gly applications and rebuild your soil ecosystem, those will get muscled out by healthier plants as soil function returns. It's a leap of faith, but trust your soil will heal and evolve, and when it does, the plants it supports will also evolve.

I’ll send you a PM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

I got my plots sprayed last weekend, just GLY for now but I did purchase Triclopyr in case I have issues again this year.

This buck seems to like my scrape and licking branch, he’s very active on several cameras.

Bears continue to entertain and cost me money. Considerably more pictures than I had just a few years ago. These two cameras were “adjusted” by bears within 24 hours of hanging them.

Sure would like to make a clean kill on this buck, very nice deer for my area.

Deer will get a break during early season, I can’t draw my bow for six weeks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KSQ2]

What happened?

 

[weekender21]

What happened?

Broke my hand during command PT. Should be good as new in 6 weeks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Native Hunter]

Dang. I wish you the best in healing from that.

 

[KSQ2]

Broke my hand during command PT. Should be good as new in 6 weeks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Plenty of time for November.

 

[weekender21]

50% or better chance of rain every day in the long range forecast starting Sunday so I’m back in the mountains.

Burned plots down three weeks ago.

Hard to complain about those results but upon closer inspection I’ve got areas with newly germinated smooth hawksbeard again. There must be a plentiful supply of seed in the soil.

My broken hand really takes spraying again or even spot spraying off the table. I’m going to double my dose of winter rye and add more each month through November.

I broadcasted 255 pounds of seed today and will finish up with another ~120 pounds tomorrow. Most plots will get a mix of WW, WR, PTT, rape, CC, and MRC.

I bought a small bag of Whitetail Institute Clover (my first BOB seed!) to try on my small ridge plot; added WW and WR as a nurse crop.

That WI clover is coated pretty good, not sure what to tell the orthopedic surgeon when he sees my blue splint Tuesday.

A few of the trees I’ve planted have fruit this year. I pinched these crabs off (probably 30+) and tossed them in the plot. Don’t want to tempt the bears.

Some of the older apples that were present when we bought the property are loaded.

White oaks are dropping! Pretty bummed I’ll miss the early season but I’m looking forward to getting in a tree as soon as I can. If the weather is decent I’m planning to take my seven year old hunting during the youth rifle hunt in late September.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

Raining acorns in western NC. Good crop of NWO and chestnut acorns this year.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dogghr]

Do you wear gloves when touching your cameras? It is rare they bother mine since doing that. Trees look amazing. Good luck with that hand. Broke mine in HS and does quite well with weather predictions. Good luck on your season.

 

[weekender21]

Do you wear gloves when touching your cameras? It is rare they bother mine since doing that. Trees look amazing. Good luck with that hand. Broke mine in HS and does quite well with weather predictions. Good luck on your season.

I haven’t been wearing gloves, probably not a bad idea. I do think it’s likely they can smell the electronics but you never know.

Thanks! I broke the same bone on my right hand in 2003, always hurt when I benched heavy weight so I stopped doing that. Really hoping this one is healed enough to get me in a tree with my bow by mid October.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

It’s been a while since I updated this thread! Early season was a wash with a broken hand and work trips, I didn’t get a chance to hunt until late October. The action really picked up in mid November with 7 bucks sighted in one morning, all young.

On November 22nd (peak breeding date in my county according to fetus measurements) I was rewarded with an opportunity at the most mature buck I’m aware of this season. He’s a really interesting 4x2 with no obvious injuries although I did find what I think is an old wound on one of his hind quarters, in the eye of round more specifically.

I was on the road again immediately following thanksgiving but eager to get back in December with my 8 year old on his first hunt.

He’s been practicing for several months and had a great first season!

The whole family was up for New Years weekend. Here he is with a New Years Eve doe.

I’m looking forward to habitat projects and prepping new spots for 2023. The gears really get turning when you’re on stand all day!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Drycreek]

That boy is layin’ ‘em down ! Congrats to both of you !

 

[weekender21]

A long beard parade! We don’t have the best turkey population on our place. This sure is nice to see even if it’s a winter flock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

Got to spend a few days on the property with my son last weekend. I was a little under the weather and decided not to further destroy my immune system by running the saw all day but we did did a few things accomplished.

We removed six raccoons and one possum.

Frost seeded a small perennial clover plot. I’m not sure if it was necessary but the plot does receive heavy browse pressure.

We met with a builder, planning to put a small ~900 sq ft cabin on the property this summer.

And we spent a half day on the slopes!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

I spent the week on our property for the NC youth opener. The turkeys were tight lipped and spent most of their time in the neighbors pasture. We did get a chance and had a tom come to 70 yards. He seemed alert the entire time and wasn’t interested in the decoys at all. Must have been low on the ole pecking order.

My son and I caught a few epic sunrises.

Kids enjoyed exploring and harvesting ramps (wild leaks).

Food plots greening up.

The youngest two caught a few fish nearby. NC’s delayed harvest program offers some excellent spring fishing opportunities.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk