C’mere deer!

[Pullstart 59,728]

It’s been a while since I updated this thread.  This will hopefully be intended on continuing the improvements of my hunting, on my property.  
 

In Ed Dog’s deer tails thread, I mentioned hinge cutting a bedding area for the deer on the north corner of the property today.  It’s a high traffic corridor from neighboring woods and had three beds in it.    It’ll be the back left corner trees on the property line in the next picture.
 

A few years back, I sowed 2 acres of switch grass.  Most of it washed into other areas of the field in a heavy rain storm, the rest kind of took off.  


 

You can clearly see the difference in grass colors.  The light grass is the switch grass.  It was destined to be bedding but hasn’t really been a shining improvement of the property.

 

I’m not totally impressed by the switch grass.  I’ve decided they need more long standing cover.  Today Rylee and her cousin gathered some maple seeds for me.  I’ll till them in towards the back, over that switch.  I asked for 4 or 5 more bags please and thank you!  I’ll likely add some pine tree features, along with other tree seeds we collect along the way.

 

 

 

[Pullstart 59,728]

It’s clear that deer are close by.  Plenty of tracks in the snow!

 

 

[Pullstart 59,728]

I just learned about cuttings or propaganda and air rooting or air layering.  Cool stuff!  I have trees everywhere.  I’ll try doing cuttings in the spring, right when snow is melting off and the field is partially flooded.  I’ll be getting me some pods to do the air rooting as well, to speed up tree growth on the property.

 

 

 

[WHX?? 46,783]

Watchin too much Ytube you gonna go blind Kev ... just sayin,,, best stick to RED porn... 

[Pullstart 59,728]

I called the local MI DNR office today.  The lady who I spoke with was quite nice.  I verified before going (I know it’s easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission) but plan to go forage for acorns, nuts, seeds, etc.  She even mentioned “twigs” as an option to remove… as they are not considered firewood (that requires a gleaning permit).  I was confronted by an officer once while trimming some downed dead wood on a roadside about having a gleaning permit one time.  I didn’t realize that was a thing and he was quite nice about what I had already loaded, but I was to put the saw away and only take what I could lift from that site, on that occasion.  Anyway….  So, we’ll be foraging for nuts and seeds, but may end up with some cuttings as well for the propagating thread.

[Pullstart 59,728]

Where to go, where to go…. We have 16,614 acres of land to ‘splore, all 10-30 minutes driving distance.

 

 

[Pullstart 59,728]

I did a water heater replacement yesterday for a second (?) cousin and her husband.  He’s a pretty big hunter and they work odd shifts, so they both kept me company during the job.  Loading up, I found these three apple trees jumped in my truck for the deer habitat project.  One of them is nearly as tall as me!  He started them from grocery store apple seeds, so we have no idea what the outcome will be, or what flavor the apples.  They will be planted come spring, and wrapped in a heavy cage for continued growth.

[Handy Don 10,599]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

I did a water heater replacement yesterday for a second (?) cousin and her husband.  He’s a pretty big hunter and they work odd shifts, so they both kept me company during the job.  Loading up, I found these three apple trees jumped in my truck for the deer habitat project.  One of them is nearly as tall as me!  He started them from grocery store apple seeds, so we have no idea what the outcome will be, or what flavor the apples.  They will be planted come spring, and wrapped in a heavy cage for continued growth.

We refer to sapling fruit trees as “deer candy”. They need protection until they get out of easy reach for munching. I gave up.

[Pullstart 59,728]

45 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

We refer to sapling fruit trees as “deer candy”. They need protection until they get out of easy reach for munching. I gave up.

I have an assortment of 5-10’ solid wire fencing.  I plan to cage them and keep the suckers trimmed for a while until they mature.

[Ed Kennell 35,773]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

no idea what the outcome will be, or what flavor the apples

This makes it tough to insure pollination when the variety is not known.      Maybe wait to see when they bloom ( early, mid, or late season)  then plant a pollinater close by that matches the bloom time.       

I have had poor results with my apple trees due to the mild late winter temps that cause the early budding that then freeze.

I have Gala, Honey crisp, cortland, delicious, and jonathon.

On the other hand, my pear and plum trees produce very well.

Deer are not a problem for me, but I do need to protect the trunks from the rabbits.   Make sure your rabbit protection is well above the max snow level.   When the other food sources are buried in snow, the rabbits love to chew on the fruit trees.

[WHX?? 46,783]

I was gonna say Kev you need fencing I got plenty. Sounds like you have it covered tho. My apple trees didn't pan out. Soil just too dang sandy. 

5 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

to protect the trunks from the rabbits.

Rabbits didn't bother mine but shrews did. I use a piece of that corrugated drain tile in 4 or 6 inch. Slice it open with a box cutter and can put it on or take it off as needed. 

[Ed Kennell 35,773]

I fried up some venison scrapple this morning.      Some of the best ever.   This was a gift from a friend that I repay with maple syrup.     WIn...win.

 

[Pullstart 59,728]

I’ve got some work to do.  I’ll soak these in water for a day, then stick ‘em in the fridge with a wet medium for a month.  Then, into some soil they’ll go!

Edited February 6, 2023 by Pullstart
Photo

[Ed Kennell 35,773]

Kev, here is a link to our Pa seedling program.        I can usually get some of these seedlings for free after  the sale is over.       Usually in late April.     If kept wet and in the dark, they would probably be OK till the big show.      Just sayin

?Pennsylvania tree seedling sale underway | TribLIVE.com

 

 

[Pullstart 59,728]

1 minute ago, Ed Kennell said:

Kev, here is a link to our Pa seedling program.        I can usually get some of these seedlings for free after  the sale is over.       Usually in late April.     If kept wet and in the dark, they would probably be OK till the big show.      Just sayin

?Pennsylvania tree seedling sale underway | TribLIVE.com

 

 

If you happen to nab some freebies, and you happen to have room in your magic bucket trailer, I’ll give ‘em a whirl!  I planted quite a few seedlings at the old house, from a local sportsman’s club.  I haven’t seen much from them advertised, maybe I’ll seek them out too.  The more, the merrier!

[Pullstart 59,728]

I transplanted some pines today, from a crowded forest bed to some solo cups.  

I’ll trim them up a little, add some water to the potting soil, then stick them back outside for the rest of winter.

 

 

 

[Pullstart 59,728]

From smiles and crazy trees to all trimmed up!

[Pullstart 59,728]

I was awake by a big “whack” this morning, and the throttle response of a large beater continuing on down the road.  There was the remains of a young doe in the yard upon daylight.  As much as it pains me to hear and see, I’ve been meaning to find me some coyote bait.  I dragged her out to a big chopping block and cut up a bunch of her tattered rear leg and tossed the bits in the freezer in small portions.  I then dragged her around the field along trails to create a scent for the pups.  I need to wax my traps, then begin eradicating the competitive predators.

[Ed Kennell 35,773]

17 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

 I need to wax my traps

Might be best to grab a shotgun and red light.      The traps don't discriminate between yotes, dogs, cats, hawks, or bald eagles.

[Rob J. 1,940]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I was awake by a big “whack” this morning, and the throttle response of a large beater continuing on down the road.  There was the remains of a young doe in the yard upon daylight.  As much as it pains me to hear and see, I’ve been meaning to find me some coyote bait.  I dragged her out to a big chopping block and cut up a bunch of her tattered rear leg and tossed the bits in the freezer in small portions.  I then dragged her around the field along trails to create a scent for the pups.  I need to wax my traps, then begin eradicating the competitive predators.

May I suggest an AR-15 and thermo? 😉

[Pullstart 59,728]

2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Might be best to grab a shotgun and red light.      The traps don't discriminate between yotes, dogs, cats, hawks, or bald eagles.

I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on proper trap technique, to get a ‘yote to drop it’s weight onto a front paw, to commit to a set.  The ones I have are non-lethal and require 3 lbs of force to set them.  I won’t simply set traps around the carcass, I’ll just use it to draw the dogs in for a couple nights then place the flat sets.

[Pullstart 59,728]

12 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

May I suggest an AR-15 and thermo? 😉

C’mon down and play a few nights!  I have my .17 hmr and thought about trying some calls during daytime.  I heard now’s the time for bringing males in with ‘yote in heat sounds…

[Rob J. 1,940]

5 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on proper trap technique, to get a ‘yote to drop it’s weight onto a front paw, to commit to a set.  The ones I have are non-lethal and require 3 lbs of force to set them.  I won’t simply set traps around the carcass, I’ll just use it to draw the dogs in for a couple nights then place the flat sets.

Coyotes are smart critters. You gotta know what you’re doing with traps. 

[Pullstart 59,728]

2 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

Coyotes are smart critters. You gotta know what you’re doing with traps. 

I don’t expect perfect results, but it sure would be cool to nab a few!

[Pullstart 59,728]

Just a little hunt plans update for the property.  Lots of spring time activity here!