A strange 18 months wraps up at LRDC. No hunters here last fall (you do all know why), illness here on the farm, and a deteriorating bunch of deer stands. Hunters came through and donated a bunch of new stands, so the job is to get the old ones down, the new ones up, and trails cleared. The food plots have sustained many species, and seem to be doing quite well, in spite of a bit of dryness this spring. As it is late June, they do need to be mowed, and the annual plots will be plowed under and reseeded in August. Below on the East plot is a handsome cat and a bunch of early deer.
An earlier picture, with a bit of late snow setting up a new mineral lick.
Arguments do take place, and there is always a winner...
Last, and this year, rabbits everywhere. Woods, gardens, sheds, pastures.
This momma below is clearly nursing, and the next shot shows you who. Two babes. Last year she had four. They whelped out under deer camp but moved on with time.
Bears are now common. It is not surprise to find them on camera. Several days ago a huge male walked through our yard, ignoring us, bird feeders, chickens and sheep. Panting like a shepherd because it was so hot.
The argument below is clearly not settled yet. What this DOES tell us, is that one or both have fawns in the area.
Hi, and 'Eye' again!
Our lover porkies again.
I can't really tell, but looking like this Gray has a squirrel.
This little fawn was just coming out into the Near Field, when I putted by on an ATV. Stood there while I fetched and set my phone, and when the picture was done, wheeled gayly around and trotted off in no way alarmed!
Two year old Chestnuts for future wildlife.
Four year Chestnuts for future wildlife. Hoping they bear nuts next year...
These next two pictures are in the Near Field, and will be a food plot this fall, reverting to hayfield next year.
I love daisies and this bed is beautiful. I have no idea how it came to be. It was a thriving clover plot 5 years ago, and when it deteriorated to weeds (as they all do) I rototilled it last fall. Nothing but beautiful flowers appeared hence. Who knew???
This mowed section was also clover, but became old and weak. I rototilled it, and the clover came back quite well. I love surprises.
The two fawns below were killed and eaten, and don't appear more than a day or three old. They were on the edge of a field I was mowing here at the farm. Because they were so small, and only partially eaten, I suspect fox. Bears would have completely consumed them, and coyotes would have eaten a lot more of them, and then carried the remains away. It is nature's dire lesson. If you are alive, and not killing something alive, you will die. That goes for deer, bears, people, and all creatures. It is the lesson I think of when some folks ask me 'how could you ever hunt an animal as beautiful as a deer?'. I always offer to show them pictures of ravaged deer, being eaten alive, on camera in the wild. It is not pretty. It is not cute. It is real. How any fawns at all survive, I'll never know. Fisher, bears, coyotes, fox, bobcats, domesticated dogs, eagles. They all hunt and eat young fawns. Disease. Lost moms. It is a miracle, and a blessing that so many pull though. It is the Plan.
This hidden pool, deep in the forest, never goes dry. Ever. There is a pounded path to it, used by all creatures. Six feet deep normally, two feet in drought, it is always there. I discovered it coming out of the ridges one night after dark, when the land was new to us, and I did not know every square inch. I got wet, and wise.
More plots, and a camp bed.
With a beautiful moon to look over it all. We are so grateful, and camp business resumes in the next weeks!
With that, I will start scheduling work sessions with hunters, and orientation sessions with new hunters to get this new year off on the right footing! In the meantime, don't waste good hunting ammunition. One or two checking shots are all you should need. Ammo is crazy expensive right now, and the solution is to simply not buy it. Wait. And if you are a CC permit holder/hand gunner and need some really effective low round count range drills that will keep you at the top of your game, write me. I'll send you a bunch! In the meantime, check out the woods, the ticks are abating, and there is beauty everywhere! Comments and critique welcomed.
jackzeller@myfairpoint.net
