The Hum of Summer at LRDC

Five new 20 foot deer stands grace our camp, and assembly, transport and raising the new ones is a group effort. This also includes hauling the old ones out!

Putting these things together is, I am a bity embarrassed to say this, a Chinese puzzle. That is where they are made, and the directions for assembly reflect it. But we did get it done. 

Pups are always necessary to assist.

 

No active fireplace, so the camp grill cooks lunch.

A raised and stabilized stand. This takes some several hunters, ATVs, a pulley and rope, and daredevil climbing. They do have to be solid.

Volunteers all, and all good company.

Back to the hunting and nature aspect of things, tons and tons of apples, acorns, and most other feeds I can think of. No one in the forest is going hungry these days. Three easy winters, a ton of summer rainfall, and good bedding and cover management keeps the little folks happy.

The buck below is feeding on wild apples. He is a nine pointer, and he has a pal, just to the right of the posts , also a nine pointer, with him. I am zoomed in with my phone, thus the poor quality of the picture.

The stump below is a cherry tree stump that has been a mineral lick for years. The deer and porkys have finally worn it out, and I have replaced it with a fresh one below.

This field I won't mow until Mid/late September to make sure all Monarchs are hatched and through their life cycle. More of them this year than the past twenty.

  

  The balloon below was in a food plot, blowing in from an unknown celebration. I wish folks could enjoy them and tie them off without littering the countryside. What IS the joy in seeing them leave?

 

Pretty buck in velvet on the East Plot.

This Chuck is at deer camp, keeps us good summer company. He shares the spot with gray foxes, and rabbits. No conflicts, seemingly.

Below, his pal Peter, sitting just in front of the camera. Handsome ears those...

Mom and babe below in the Far Field.

We only get a few coyotes on camera a year. One of the few.

LRDC love porks. I like these guys!

A buck making his rounds.

A mature bobcat. 

Another, and probably the same, coyote.

Bruins everywhere. 

Just a turkey grooming. Looks like agony!

I love seeing deer shine like this. Soon, some will be nearly bald with switching to a winter coat.

This last picture I am very fond of, our resident deer camp woodchuck in a mood of contemplation. I DO wonder what is on his mind. 

 So, wrapping up this edition, and hoping to quickly get back into bow practice. I was doing fine, until I took a full draw without arrow, and mistakenly let the trigger release. Like a slap on the side of my head it was, and eyepieces and silencers went twanging away to unknown places. This requires a full re-stringing and set of of a bow AFTER all components checked for integrity. I have not heard back from the Pro. It may mean a new bow! In any case, archery opens within a month, so I do need to catch up! Hope all your summers are full filling, and filled with the outdoors! 

Comments and critique and questions welcomed.

jackzeller@myfairpoint.net