I realized that my pictures are a little large, so I put most of them in the post as a link - just click the line to view.
Today is Feb 1 2003 - a good time to check the progress, and deer use of the corn Plots we planted for the deer to have available this winter. As many of you know - this year has seen abundant snow, and record cold in our area ( 120"+ snow & 10+ days below zero). We count on our food plots, corn especially, to get our herd throught the winter.
The key, we've come to understand, is CORN, left standing - especially when the snow is deep.
I was not surprised to find alot of use in the first 2 acre plot. Even though the snow is 3 ft+ deep, you could walk up and down the rows in sneakers, because of the deer trails up and down virtually every row. A couple pictures follow:
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/...5_000_0085.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/...4_000_0092.jpg
The next field is our large corn - plot, between 5-6 acres in size. This is where the bulk of the deer we have feed in the winter, but today was a different story. The corn acted like a "snow fence" and the snow built up in the plot to 4-5 ft deep in many places.
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/...8_000_0096.jpg
Sure, there was some deer sign, and two deep trails leading to the plot - but it was obvious that the deer had depleted the corn above the snow line since my last visit on Jan 1 - when the snow was only 2 ft deep. I'm sure there is corn under the snow, and digging by the deer confirmed it, but its tough to get to. You could tell that the large Wintering herd we usually have was not here recently. Also to give you an idea of how deep the snow is, there was a flock of 20-30 geese in the standing corn field When I approached they flew off - You would NEVER see this if the corn was higher than 2ft above the snow line.
The next picture shows the 4-5 acre clover plot in the distance behind the corn plot. The deer have stopped digging to get to the clover - the use of energy no longer makes it worth the effort.
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/...2_000_0101.jpg I took a quick walk into the old "apple orchard", which flanks this field, and it was clear that deer were spending alot of time browsing on the limbs here. I didn't think to snap a pic, but should have. The deer can reach higher into the branches than normal, and were taking advantage of it. I did not go into the thicket, because I did not want to run the deer off, I knew were there. The deer are trying to conserve energy, and spooking them out can cause peril, if they are caught out of their trail network by coyotes or dogs.
Speaking of Coyotes, I found their tracks all around our cabin, and under, apparently hunting the rabbits that live there.
A quick note about my thoughts from today: The shuttle crashed, and It was heavy on my mind as I went to check the fields - I was reminded of 1986 and the feelings I had. Also, the spector of war in Iraq, is on my mind. Deer, Snow, rabbits, coyote and corn should be far down on the list of thoughts - Yet I find them THAT much more important. Why? If you are reading this post, you understand, Don't take your time on earth, and privalege to be in the USA for granted.
Edited by - farm hunter on 02/01/2003 23:07:25
Edited by - farm hunter on 02/01/2003 23:08:53