LRDC Archery Starts in Less Than a Month

I love a deer eye. 

This is a heathy group up on a ridge.

This summer is the most exceptional one for buck pictures in 25 years. Never have I had so many photos of all ages and sizes. The dispersal obviously hasn't started yet.

Little guy, in velvet and camera curious.

This will be a taker if we see him.

Never without a ton of turks!

This may be the same one I got on the East Ridge.

Cute little guy camera perching!

I love porcupines. I know lots of folks shoot them,. as I did when I was young and uninformed. It is true they used to go in sheds and chew axe handle for the salt, but who really uses axes much any more. And the old adage - that they do damage to timber. That is hogwash.  I have never seen any tree diminished in value, or killed by them. It is true that in winter they do chew on hemlock, but so what? And in summer, they will graze day and night in fields of clover and hay. 

Here are three hunters doing trail work and stand loosening earlier in the summer. Stalwarts all.

And below, a beaut.

More coyotes this year. Tons of small game and fawn for them.

The two below will be sought after by our hunters.

And never without a bear or two around. Hunters took some 80+ bears from this region last year and I thought that might be unsustainable. But they are plentiful still so I may have called that one wrong.

This one is mine I hope.

I got a whole series of pictures of these two kissing and nuzzling. This was August, before dispersal, and well before any hormones of course. I like to think it is last years boy telling Mom he loves and thanks her for her year long guidance, before he disperses.

A good size bruin.

We'll give this guy another year or two? What would you do?

Not the one below though!

As many healthy fawns as any year in the past. Bodes well for the future.

Another shot of black.

I marvel how deer and turkeys coexist. The fawns are always curious!

Weird eye shot under an apple tree.

Speaking of apples, she took a big one. Lots of fruit this year, not so good on mast.

So with this, wishing all a successful and safe archery season (just over a week away now) and let me know how you do!

As always comments and critique welcomed!

jcottonzeller@gmail.com

 

Frightfully Behind At Long Ridge Deer Camp

We managed to get to the NH Fish and Game Expo in Milford this spring, and as always enjoyed the sights, and comradery.

These walrus tusks are neat. I think seized as illegal?

Teaching the youngsters a skill that will stay with them for a life time.

This guide was friends with a guide we stayed with in Northern Maine years ago. A consummate pilot and wildlife expert.

Do I dare say, "Nice Rack'?

When I was ill, this wood sculpture cheered me up, every visit to the hospital. I love it.

Here come the young ones..

This Robin has built 11 nests on the game pole at camp to fool us. We get it. And welcome her babes.

Birds in flight at the census station always thrill me.

As do the deer

We did actually have a winter, although it was shorter than usual.

More census station eaters.

Mom still telling us the nest is not empty yet. 

Another winter day at camp. I do love days like this. 

We are looking at about 13 per square mile in this neck of the woods.

Chickens, in the spring, beware...

Another winter picture..

When deer, not under stress, gallop like this in the winter, they are NOT starving...

And then, up behind the farmstead, pictures of grays, and turks et al...

Our wild game dinners have no peer. 

The entire reason for deer camps, rests in these very pictures.

Not pretty, but effective.

A last picture of the last supper of 2022.

Happy to share this with you all. Comments and critiques always welcome!

jcottonzeller@gmail.com