Wintry 2009 Hunting Season

2009 was a successful Hunting season - we harvest more than usual, which we expected coming off a couple seasons of low doe take (only 1 last year)

We took 8 Does, 8 Bucks and one Button Buck. of the 17 deer taken, 10 different hunters were successful. Personally, I took 2 doe, a 4 point Buck with rifle and another 4 point on the last day in Blackpowder season.

We had more snow than normal, which made our standing Beans and Corn quite the Draw. In the last 2 weeks we passed up dozens of deer - still the older bucks managed to elude us. We stayed mostly out of the woods and hunted the fields - which kept the deer around well - but, I feel that the older bucks just waited till nightfall to come out.

Still a super season in my book - Now on the winter doldrums.......... we do have a couple cams out - hopefully we can produce a couple interesting Winter Pictures.

Fall is Here!

Fall is upon us - and Bow season will open in about 1 week. Things are shaping up for a good year!

As of October 10th, we've had several frosts - but still no snow, not even in the air. Its not far off.

The pictures show the fall property and food plots -

Next post - HOPEFULLY - some harvested deer!

September Clover Plots - Protein at its PEAK

Nothing beats clover in late summer and early fall in my mind at least - for deer use and protein going into winter. Sure - there are carbohydrates and fat also - but protein is what what makes clovers special.

Here's a couple looks at our September coover plots.

Late Summer Progress!

Whats new in CNY - We'll get to hunt deer with Rifles this year - how about that! 20 years of a 12ga - and I'll drop it like a bad habit!

The plots are finishing up nice. Lots and Lots of Rain this year -

Will finish up mowing the 3 Clover plots Labor Day Weekend -

Also - we put in a Pond!

7-26-08 - Plot Update

Not much to talk about - the plots are coming along good - the deer pictures on the cams have been poor - just cannot seem to get the right spot. These pictures are all from the week of July 21st. We only broadcast 46-0-0 Urea for a fertilizer on the corn at planting this year - we tried to put down 200 lbs/acre - but I see some areas that we must have been thin on. Overall - we cannot complain - we'll have clover, beans & corn come hunting season and the deer will be there!

One thing really different this year - is that The neighboring farm was ALL planted in Soybeans this year - last year it was corn. This is the 1st soybean planting for MILES other than ours in all the years we've been here. Already - we see that OUR soybeans are MUCH less browsed -
We full expect that the deer will eat in SOYBEANS from the neighboring 10-20 acre fields - which is fine with us - Once harvested - ours will be the only 6 acres of standing soys (and corn) for MILES.

Its all good for the herd - and we are very excited about it.

Summer 2008

The Summer of 2008 has been a wet one compared to some years. Ample rains mean extra weeds in the food plots - as well as good growth of the crops planted. It took several weekends of targeted Roundup Applications - but the corn & soybeans look to be set well for Jully/August growth. Almost all the spraying was done the last week in June.



We also put in a pond this year - and have already started stocking it with Bluegills.



The Trout picture is from an evening at the local trout stream.

2008 Spring Planting

With High Hopes - we get started on the 2008 Spring Planting Season. As of May 10th - everything is plowed - plans are to Disk this weekend and have the corn/soybeans all in by May 20th. We are putting down 200 lbs 46-0-0 Urea at planting and using Roundup Ready Soybeans & Corn. 3-4 acres of each if all goes well.

The Birdhouses are getting some new residents - and we were lucky to get in a little Turkey Hunting in the morning!