Upstate Obsession

[Elkaddict]

Here is a daytime photo of one our swamp bucks that have been so camera shy.

 

[Elkaddict]

Acorns have really started to drop. Friday at noon, I walked up on 3 different groups of deer nosing for acorns while checking cameras. Could have arrowed a couple different small 8s. The mass crop is better than I anticipated but still a fraction of last year. I'm hoping it means the deer will be more plot dependent come November.

 

[lakngolf]

Swamp buck looks great. I always heard that "big bucks have wet feet"

 

[Triple C]

Elkaddict...Always enjoy your updates. Nice bucks!

 

[Elkaddict]

My buddy went back to the same blind this afternoon. I didn't feel well enough to make the walk. Fortunately, he filled his tag on a dry doe. Because I wasn't there, look what strolled by! Anyone want to take a stab at age/score? I estimate his weight at 240 so keep that in mind.

 

[Chainsaw]

Glad you have gotten out Tom. The deer your NY property is growing is incredible;. I am very excited for you. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

 

[dogdoc]

Dang-that a brute. Huge body.

 

[Elkaddict]

Thought I'd give an update on the rutabagas and winfred brassicas. They continue to get hammered and grow. If they attack the bulbs, this will clearly become my brassica mix of choice. Forage growth has been a step above the LC mix. To put attractiveness in perspective, i overseeded GHR in some thin spots and they are largely ignoring them. Here is a twighlight photo of a corner of the plot. They are ignoring freshly planted oats a few feet away.

 

[CTM1]

It is all coming together very nicely, and I see a very nice buck in that twilight photo.

Feel good.

 

[OkieKubota]

Looks like they are really hammering those Brassicas. Have you guys had frost yet?

 

[Elkaddict]

Thanks for the kind words. We've had one frost, but they were hammering them before. With how lousy I feel, most of those bucks are going to get another year to grow....not all bad. No takers on aging/scoring that buck?

 

[Elkaddict]

Another hard frost last night here in the Catskills. Trail cams show the deer have moved from the red to the white clover/chicory. Our LC grain mix is getting hammered, although primarily at night. Acorns continue to rain down. I'm really surprised given last year's incredible mass crop. Bucks are wondering more than during the warmer months, and I have sparring pics on every camera. Haven't seen one of my target bucks in several weeks. Spotlighters were active 1/2 mile from here last weekend. Police were called but have no suspects. I'm hoping he's just wandered off (I expect a number of target bucks to disappear and new ones to show up the next week or two). Deer continue to hammer the rutabagas/Winfred brassicas. Here is a pic of rutabagas planted late July which was late (they take longer to mature than turnips). The larger one is bigger than a softball.

 

[Elkaddict]

Bears have been more active.

 

[Elkaddict]

This buck made an appearance after being gone for 2 weeks.

 

[Chainsaw]

Tom you are really reaching a pinnacle beyond what I have seen here in New York; aging a deer beyond 4 1/2 is just impossible for me because I have not been exposed to it more than once or twice. Both of the deer you have highlighted are definitely 4 1/2 AND LIKELY plus;how much past that I have no clue. They are rare deer for us in New York. Your turnips are looking great; Mine were planted one month past ideal due to zero rain/moisture and are no where near yours in maturity or size.
Keep me on your list for a property tour when you are readyther than the second and third week of November each year I am very available.

 

[Flyfixer]

Nice looking crop of bucks! Those brassica plots look fantastic.

 

[Elkaddict]

Tom you are really reaching a pinnacle beyond what I have seen here in New York; aging a deer beyond 4 1/2 is just impossible for me because I have not been exposed to it more than once or twice. Both of the deer you have highlighted are definitely 4 1/2 AND LIKELY plus;how much past that I have no clue. They are rare deer for us in New York. Your turnips are looking great; Mine were planted one month past ideal due to zero rain/moisture and are no where near yours in maturity or size.
Keep me on your list for a property tour when you are readyther than the second and third week of November each year I am very available.

Thanks Dave. Here is the crazy thing. I count 5 or 6 in that age class. When we bought the property in 2013, the DEC had just instituted a 3pt one one side antler restriction. I believe it has helped. That first winter, our camera surveys picked up nothing but yearling bucks (spikes and fork horns). By the fall of 2014, we had multiple new bucks regularly in the plots we'd never seen which were 3-4. They clearly were pulled in from the neighbors. After the hinge cuts (23 acres), the numbers really picked up. I've got enough cameras out to know that several of the mature bucks travel to and from the neighbors, but most of the deer are homebodies. My theory is wandering bucks have found the food/cover and moved in. This was just what our consultant predicted. Still, I'm humbled and surprised because what I'm seeing is 3-4 years sooner than I'd hoped. One thing I'm particularly focused on is doe numbers. I'm set up to have way too many. I'll let you know about a tour--I'd love to have you down as I'm sure your keen eye would be very helpful.

 

[Elkaddict]

Nice looking crop of bucks! Those brassica plots look fantastic.

Thank you sir. It's fun to have them around but getting one on the ground for hero pics is another matter. I did see our number 1 last week but wasn't in physical condition to take the shot.

 

[George]

Some great plots and bucks, Tom.

G

 

[Elkaddict]

Some great plots and bucks, Tom.

G

Thanks George. Be patient learning the public elk hunting thing. It can take years to find the secret hidey holes that produce year in and year out.