Upstate Obsession

[George]

That shot would have been too much for me also. Congratulations to you and your son.

G

 

[Elkaddict]

It’s bee some time since I’ve posted an update. Our winter was cold but we didn’t have the huge long lasting snowfalls that facilitate coyote predation. Still, deer numbers were down. Last falls acorn crop was a bust so our plots were hammered by all the neighboring deer. Our 4.5 acres of corn was wiped out late by November as was 5 acres of brassica forage. Because snows piled up early, our clover alfalfa and grains were largely ignored. My attempt with alfalfa was a bust....90% did not survive the winter. I am disappointed but not surprised. The last week of rifle season, as more neighboring deer piled onto the property, our biggest plot complex had deer in every hour of the day. Fortunately, most left our place once the plots were depleted. The good news is, they left and our browse remains in excellent shape. I’ve realized with a poor acorn crop, my place will be overrun with numbers I can’t support or control.

I am going to add another acre of brassicas by cutting back on clover/grain (we’ve had 8 acres). It’s simply cheap insurance.

Bears show up on our place late March like clockwork. Sadly for them, there were no eats to be found.

Here are a couple pics from this winter:

 

[Elkaddict]

Turkey hunting was a bust. I called them in every time out but the longbeards were a no show during hunting hours. Did pass jakes on multiple occasions. It was still nice to get out. Funny thing is, they come by the house every day doing their normal routine.

 

[Elkaddict]

We finally got our pole barn finished. It’s sure nice getting all the equipment out of the weather. I followed the advice of several here and got a size larger than I thought I’d need. I’m already using more space than I thought I would. When we retire up here, the 14’ ceilings will make a great trophy wall.

 

[Elkaddict]

I did make my annual trip to TX between the holidays. It took 4 days to get within bow range of the buck (ended up ambushing him between bedding and a grain field...he wouldn’t come near the blinds/feeders). He was 71/2 years old and and weighed 225.

 

[Elkaddict]

I made a trip to Utah’s Green River with a buddy and my boys. We had 12 over 20” including this 22” Brown on a size 20 sparkle dun.

 

[Elkaddict]

My boys went to town nymph fishing.

 

[Elkaddict]

On our last day, we fished the rarely fished lower section of the river with 4-6” streamers. We had 80 hookups....which is 5x better than my previous best on this section. I got a 26” Brown to the boat only to have it come off just before being netted. You’ll note the coloration of these Browns is very different than 20 miles upstream in red rock country.

 

[Elkaddict]

Place has greened up and antlers are growing. Looks like we’ll have at least a couple mature bucks looking at body size. Deer disperse widely this time of year because good eats are everywhere naturally. It will be August before we have a good idea of numbers and quality.

 

[pinetag]

Nice update elk!

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Heart shot]

Great pictures! Looks like an amazing trip out west.

 

[Elkaddict]

I’ve been fishing the Green for 35 years. Although it’s changed over the decades, it never gets old. This was my first year getting my sons there. They couldn’t believe I hadn’t “shared” it with them before.

 

[Triple C]

Elk...You been a busy man! Love the pole barn and agree...always best to go one size up. Must have been a blast fishing out west. I had the good fortune to fly fish Alaska in 2017 during late July. Primarily rainbows. It was a bucket list trip. That place looks like it would be the same. Always enjoy your updates! Keep living the dream!!!

 

[farmhunter]

Beautiful TX buck - a real trophy in anyone's book. Really loved the Green River trout pictures - never would have thought of a place like that - but what great hookups, just awesome. Wishing you a successful NY Summer and Season ahead -

 

[Keith Nehrke]

We spent years doing an annual trip to the Green, generally fishing without a guide from shore, but walking a couple miles to get away from the crowds. Catfish are jumping! It's one of the most prolific fisheries I've ever had the privilege to visit. It's been a few years since we last made it out there, but my brother has recently relocated to Colorado, and so I suspect that we will be fishing there again soon.

 

[Elkaddict]

Made it up for a few hours to check on the place. Got several acres mowed to knock back some weeds. Surprisingly, 2 of our best clover spots did not bounce back despite frost seeding. Not quite sure what happened..... While they won’t be available to provide a lot of food this summer, it means Labor Day plantings of triticale, and a ladino/chicory mix. Still, the 5 acres of clover we do have are thriving. This is year two of a ladino/mrc plot. I don’t think the deer are going too hungry.

 

[Elkaddict]

I mentioned I lost most of the alfalfa I planted last year. Still, the deer are focused on it. I particularly like this photo because it shows how much being alert is ingrained even at a few weeks of age.

 

[Elkaddict]

Bucks are growing.

 

[Elkaddict]

Because our cell coverage is so limited, I rarely have a camera with me. Fortunately, I had it when I came across this moth. Nature never ceases to amaze me with its diversity and beauty.

 

[Chainsaw]

Very Great deer Tom! Also and especially liked the Green river adventure. Noticeably lacking in the pictures were other fisherman; that is a special place for sure! And that is a world class moth picture; you have had a super year and I know it is not due to just plain luck.