My dog Sadie and I were out walking the last of October looking for signs of bucks setting up their territories.The first scrape was noted on October 18th and a day later the second scrape was getting a start.
We checked the north pasture and then a specific tree on the south side of the ravine splitting our property. These two areas seem to be the first places where the buck activities become most notable - they have favorite scrapes that let me know when the heat is on the rise. After that all the little trees are marked for sending out messages.Then low and behold if they aren't scored again when it is time for the separation of antlers.
October 21st, my trail camera caught some stills of a buck marking the scrape that seems to have become an active spot in the last two years. The pictures seem to verify what you read about...rubbing the head, face and turning around to include bodily fluids in the mix of the cocktail.
My short little video is actually longer than the sum total of all the seconds on the time stamps on the far lower right hand corners of the pictures. I don't use my movie mode on the camera yet, because I haven't invested in a 16GB SD card to have enough space to capture all that information.
The Whitetail Rut season is over here in Iowa and the bucks are on the downhill slide of testosterone levels. Night time images of anterless bucks started to appear on December 18th...seeing fresh blood and holes where the bone was once attached to the skull is setting off an alarm. Time to get out for some shed hunting before the varmints carry them all away...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Public Hunting
Public Hunting is a definitely a subject concerning hunters as private property owners are continuing the downturn in allowing other people into their private grounds,farms,or timbers. I am glad Iowa and other states have set aside wildlife areas where men and women can get out to participate in their chosen outdoor activities given these facts.
We have Public Hunting Grounds not far away at Hendrickson Marsh. Lately it is continually being groomed to improve it for migratory birds.Trees being cut down on shorelines - water drained to keep fish populations down that disturb plant growth. Last spring was the best migrations I had witnessed since moving here 19 years ago.
I don't hunt public grounds, because I have a farm/timber setup. In an answer to the question that might arise about letting others have access to my land to hunt...it is limited - neighbors and a few others. I have found leftover garbage dispersed in the timber...they probably figured with all the acres available how would anyone run across spent shells or crumpled beer cans?
Getting back to my original thought here -There are days when I decide to stop by the marsh on my way back from errands,go over to visit when I hear migratory bird activity, or just take a few minutes to watch the resident Bald Eagles and Red Tailed Hawks when they are dancing on the thermals.
Getting some pictures of two of the parking areas around the marsh within the last week- it raises concerns for me.
If we as citizens share the same space hunter/non-hunter what kind of reputation would you say the hunter would get after the non-hunter saw these dumpings? I enjoy my trips to a place that has wild life diversity and I am experiencing strong emotion about the garbage strewn across the landscape...it messes up the definition of pristine countryside.
Here is another question that I would ask hunters,city dweller ,out of state visitors, or locals, who felt it necessary to leave behind their spent shells and thirst quenching containers. I hope they have a chance to read this blogpost...
Why would a landowner want anyone to hunt their land if this is how they disrespected land owned by themselves, their family, their neighbors, so on and so on????
Just an honest question in trying to understand why people think it is okay to leave garbage in someone else's backyard?
We have Public Hunting Grounds not far away at Hendrickson Marsh. Lately it is continually being groomed to improve it for migratory birds.Trees being cut down on shorelines - water drained to keep fish populations down that disturb plant growth. Last spring was the best migrations I had witnessed since moving here 19 years ago.
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| Old boat ramp looking towards new concrete structure Story County side of marsh |
I don't hunt public grounds, because I have a farm/timber setup. In an answer to the question that might arise about letting others have access to my land to hunt...it is limited - neighbors and a few others. I have found leftover garbage dispersed in the timber...they probably figured with all the acres available how would anyone run across spent shells or crumpled beer cans?
Getting back to my original thought here -There are days when I decide to stop by the marsh on my way back from errands,go over to visit when I hear migratory bird activity, or just take a few minutes to watch the resident Bald Eagles and Red Tailed Hawks when they are dancing on the thermals.
If we as citizens share the same space hunter/non-hunter what kind of reputation would you say the hunter would get after the non-hunter saw these dumpings? I enjoy my trips to a place that has wild life diversity and I am experiencing strong emotion about the garbage strewn across the landscape...it messes up the definition of pristine countryside.
Here is another question that I would ask hunters,city dweller ,out of state visitors, or locals, who felt it necessary to leave behind their spent shells and thirst quenching containers. I hope they have a chance to read this blogpost...
Why would a landowner want anyone to hunt their land if this is how they disrespected land owned by themselves, their family, their neighbors, so on and so on????
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| Get the picture? |
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Iowa Eagle Watch Fisher Lake - Saylorville Lake Area
Last year we were treated to an Eagle nest cam up at Decorah. It kept many intrigued for months...Even today they still have the camera at the ready if a pair of Eagles should happen to call the nest their nursery once again.
I wouldn't call myself a birdwatcher specifically, but I do pay attention to the total picture, winged,4-footed, ground huggers and whatever it takes to makeup our part of the world.
Our local marsh has been a host to a resident pair of Eagles, but that will be a post for another day.
Reports of an increased Eagle presence at a little swamp known as Fisher Lake, east of the Des Moines River southeast of Saylorville Lake came before Christmas last year. I had been past the little body of water after Thanksgiving - it teemed with bird life, only I didn't take time to stop and look since I had a schedule to meet.
This visit came on December 29th,2011. The sun and blue skies have been keeping us company with the unseasonably warm temperatures. I have to say that the limited travel problems that occurred a few times so far has been much appreciated.
The water level of our ponds, small lakes and marshes have suffered due to the lack of rain, or snow, for that matter yet this winter. I will say this with a wink since soon we will probably be hoping for a break in a stretch of continous precipitation.
It appeared to me that between the two trees becoming perches for the raptors there was a division between the immature and the mature on this visit.The tree where the youngsters sat was located at the north or the far edge of the lake in the first picture.
The mature eagles were more numerous and found a tree closer to the front of the lake on the right of the picture.
This turned out to be a fun picture...the Gulls and Eagles shared the lake when the waters were open.
I visited the lake on Thursday, this week to find a smaller Eagle count, no Gulls, and Crows were still a constant presence. The low water level left a sheet of ice...a perch for the Eagles to attempt a little ice fishing?
Time will tell when my next visit will come to check on the Bald Eagles of Fisher Lake...
I wouldn't call myself a birdwatcher specifically, but I do pay attention to the total picture, winged,4-footed, ground huggers and whatever it takes to makeup our part of the world.
Our local marsh has been a host to a resident pair of Eagles, but that will be a post for another day.
Reports of an increased Eagle presence at a little swamp known as Fisher Lake, east of the Des Moines River southeast of Saylorville Lake came before Christmas last year. I had been past the little body of water after Thanksgiving - it teemed with bird life, only I didn't take time to stop and look since I had a schedule to meet.
This visit came on December 29th,2011. The sun and blue skies have been keeping us company with the unseasonably warm temperatures. I have to say that the limited travel problems that occurred a few times so far has been much appreciated.
Time will tell when my next visit will come to check on the Bald Eagles of Fisher Lake...
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Cabela's Stop and Shop - December 26,2010
At this point I am not inclined to get that close to dipping into the rivers or reservoirs.
After our visit to Cabela's, we were off to Culver's for a bite to eat, and then it was time to get back on the road to complete the last part of our Christmas excursion that Hubby and I started late afternoon of Wednesday the 22nd.
The good thing, even with our little hike, we did make it home before dark as planned.It was time to unwind...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Next Leg of the Journey Home - December 2010
Now that we got beyond the neck twisting deer stand watch, I was continually scouring the countryside for wildlife. It seemed at least the beasts of the timber and field were smarter than the humans in staying put during the cold.
A stray deer was not to be seen ,but I did happen to find a solitary elk grazing through the snow cover at a commercial elk farm next to the interstate.
In the distance I found a shooting club that provided fuel for my imagination - seeing the shooting lanes busy with hunters practicing in spring ,summertime and fall weather for the upcoming seasons.
This lake had two visible huts from my vantage point on the run. The ice fishing huts were starting to take their places on the lakes. I was entertained by seeing some very nice - palatial palaces to spend hours participating in the long winter activity - ice fishing, passing us going the opposite direction.
In fact on a trailer following one of the huts there was a full sized sofa and ice grinding paraphernalia that I assumed was accompanying this one particular hut I felt might be something I wouldn't mind using. As we passed one exit there was a huge sign advertising an upcoming ice fishing tournament with a top prize of $50,000.00. I see that as a great way to to make some money doing the things you are passionate about.
Whoops! I guess there was one more deer stand on our route just west of Avon,MN...definitely in a spot where a lot of traffic is constantly moving. You wonder how things go for the hunters during the hunting seasons? I bet the deer are so used to extra activity, alarms may not often be apart of their behavior.
I would like to conclude today's post with a picture of the Red River Trails 3-D Archery Club woods by Avon,MN. My early fall travels have brought me past during some of their busy club activities, but the winter weather during this trip made the trails peacefully silent...
In fact on a trailer following one of the huts there was a full sized sofa and ice grinding paraphernalia that I assumed was accompanying this one particular hut I felt might be something I wouldn't mind using. As we passed one exit there was a huge sign advertising an upcoming ice fishing tournament with a top prize of $50,000.00. I see that as a great way to to make some money doing the things you are passionate about.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Iowa Caucuses Tomorrow
Iowa Caucus Day,January 3,2012. Boy, OH Boy! Am I ever ready for this Political event to get completed already.
The Straw Poll in August was another event for which I can say I am glad it is over. That was another time period where you dreaded to answer the phone because of all the politicians wanting you to know about themselves. We are constantly bombarded with television ads and phone calls for far to long in my book.
Yesterday, Sunday, New Year's Day, we were only called twice by the politicians . Both calls came between 4:30 - 4:35. One was a recorded message from Bill with Winning America Back...a constant robo-call and then a three question survey from Newt 2012. Sometimes the callers identify themselves upfront, but most of the time you have to wait until the end to discover exactly who is calling.I wanted to start keeping track how many times our phone rang from the same individuals.
Today, the calls started at -
11:30 - with call staff from Rick Perry's campaign headquarters. Checking to see who we would be caucusing for tomorrow night and if we knew where our caucus was being held.
11:33 - The Iowa Christian Leaders in Government group, a recorded message, wanted me to call Rick Santorum to let him know how disturbed by his voting record on abortion and a few other family issues I was.
12:12 - A local politician, Brad Zaun, named campaign chairman recently, called in support of Michelle Bachmann and wanted us to call into a Caucus meeting tonight in preparation for the real thing tomorrow night.
12:33 - Local radio talk show host, Steve Deace, called in support of Newt Gingrich - paid for by Newt 2012
12:48 - Representative Jason Shultz called to give me some more reasons why I shouldn't vote for Rick Santorum. Instead I should vote for Ron Paul - paid for by the Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Committee
Woohoo! At the time of this observation a little over an hour had since the last call. I believe however that things will heat up again around 4:30 when they think us working class people should be getting home from work. Then I perceive from past experience, calls could go as late as 8:30 or 9:00. At least they did at the end of last week.
Well, it's 4:52PM and the house is quiet...so far.
For my Iowa readers - here are some Des Moines Register campaign trail videos to help you make your choices for the caucuses tomorrow evening. Maybe my out of state readers can get prepared as well for what is coming to your neighborhoods if they haven't already...
The Straw Poll in August was another event for which I can say I am glad it is over. That was another time period where you dreaded to answer the phone because of all the politicians wanting you to know about themselves. We are constantly bombarded with television ads and phone calls for far to long in my book.
Yesterday, Sunday, New Year's Day, we were only called twice by the politicians . Both calls came between 4:30 - 4:35. One was a recorded message from Bill with Winning America Back...a constant robo-call and then a three question survey from Newt 2012. Sometimes the callers identify themselves upfront, but most of the time you have to wait until the end to discover exactly who is calling.I wanted to start keeping track how many times our phone rang from the same individuals.
Today, the calls started at -
11:30 - with call staff from Rick Perry's campaign headquarters. Checking to see who we would be caucusing for tomorrow night and if we knew where our caucus was being held.
11:33 - The Iowa Christian Leaders in Government group, a recorded message, wanted me to call Rick Santorum to let him know how disturbed by his voting record on abortion and a few other family issues I was.
12:12 - A local politician, Brad Zaun, named campaign chairman recently, called in support of Michelle Bachmann and wanted us to call into a Caucus meeting tonight in preparation for the real thing tomorrow night.
12:33 - Local radio talk show host, Steve Deace, called in support of Newt Gingrich - paid for by Newt 2012
12:48 - Representative Jason Shultz called to give me some more reasons why I shouldn't vote for Rick Santorum. Instead I should vote for Ron Paul - paid for by the Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Committee
Woohoo! At the time of this observation a little over an hour had since the last call. I believe however that things will heat up again around 4:30 when they think us working class people should be getting home from work. Then I perceive from past experience, calls could go as late as 8:30 or 9:00. At least they did at the end of last week.
Well, it's 4:52PM and the house is quiet...so far.
For my Iowa readers - here are some Des Moines Register campaign trail videos to help you make your choices for the caucuses tomorrow evening. Maybe my out of state readers can get prepared as well for what is coming to your neighborhoods if they haven't already...
Deer Stand Row
I want to pick-up where I left off in the last post...
Ah yes! Deer Stand Row as I have titled it. I have had several opportunities to see the stands in winter and summer. Most definitely harder to locate some of them during the summer months with foliage all around. My picture taking on the way home always seemed to point out the driver's side of the car , because our trip west a few days before came during the dark of night.
Coming up to the Pelican Lake area started my field searches - ending around Brandon...All my pictures taken in this post are at Interstate speed. No stopping to get a good shot.
Here is the first deer stand that I caught sight of and was able to capture a digital image of on our way home. I did see others that I didn't have a chance to get pictures of because as soon as I saw them we were gone.
Even though winter allowed for trees to be leafless, some stands were still camouflaged by tucking them into the edges of field and tight treelines.
The deer stands that I saw most were of the elevated varieties...since they stood out the most.
Hurry! Hurry! This one was taken out the back passenger window on the Driver's side of the car from the front passenger seat.
I was glad to have Hubby's set of eyes to help survey the countryside. Trying to see both directions north and south of our traveling lanes kept my head going back and forth...Whiplash!
This deer stand brings to conclusion today's "Deer Stand Row" post and is my favorite...it belongs to Long Lake Lodge at Brandon,MN. Oh to have a double decker like that one!
Ah yes! Deer Stand Row as I have titled it. I have had several opportunities to see the stands in winter and summer. Most definitely harder to locate some of them during the summer months with foliage all around. My picture taking on the way home always seemed to point out the driver's side of the car , because our trip west a few days before came during the dark of night.
Coming up to the Pelican Lake area started my field searches - ending around Brandon...All my pictures taken in this post are at Interstate speed. No stopping to get a good shot.
Here is the first deer stand that I caught sight of and was able to capture a digital image of on our way home. I did see others that I didn't have a chance to get pictures of because as soon as I saw them we were gone.
Even though winter allowed for trees to be leafless, some stands were still camouflaged by tucking them into the edges of field and tight treelines.
Hurry! Hurry! This one was taken out the back passenger window on the Driver's side of the car from the front passenger seat.
I was glad to have Hubby's set of eyes to help survey the countryside. Trying to see both directions north and south of our traveling lanes kept my head going back and forth...Whiplash!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A Year Ago - The Day After Christmas
What a difference a year makes in time and place...I would like to flashback to where I left off - the day after Christmas 2010 on our way back from Jamestown, ND.
We finished packing up the car, with Sadie taking her place in the backseat, we got on our way before daylight. Hubby and I wanted to make some stops, but still get home in time to beat sundown.Snow was in the air and the passing lane of eastbound I-94 was absent of tire marks as our car lights reflected back from the twinkling crystals.
Light of day finally came rising off the horizon through the misty cold winter clouds as we reached Fargo/Moorhead.
It was after 9:00 before the greyness began to melt away with intermittent snow still blowing across the road.
The color of the sky ranged from pastel pinks to blue and finally warm orange as the sun rose between the openings of the swiftly changing cloud banks.
Hubby and I were still a long way from home.
Camera in hand I intended to find points of interest as we sped onto the next available Cabela's to stop and shop.
Heading eastward brought us onto a stretch of road that has come to carry the label Deer Stand Rowe to me. It seemed to have the greatest concentration of visible stands from the interstate - lying not far from our present location.
Check back for another installment of our flashback to our trip home in 2010 - see the variety of stands and locations...
We finished packing up the car, with Sadie taking her place in the backseat, we got on our way before daylight. Hubby and I wanted to make some stops, but still get home in time to beat sundown.Snow was in the air and the passing lane of eastbound I-94 was absent of tire marks as our car lights reflected back from the twinkling crystals.
Light of day finally came rising off the horizon through the misty cold winter clouds as we reached Fargo/Moorhead.
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| East of Moorhead, MN |
It was after 9:00 before the greyness began to melt away with intermittent snow still blowing across the road.
The color of the sky ranged from pastel pinks to blue and finally warm orange as the sun rose between the openings of the swiftly changing cloud banks.
Camera in hand I intended to find points of interest as we sped onto the next available Cabela's to stop and shop.
Heading eastward brought us onto a stretch of road that has come to carry the label Deer Stand Rowe to me. It seemed to have the greatest concentration of visible stands from the interstate - lying not far from our present location.
Check back for another installment of our flashback to our trip home in 2010 - see the variety of stands and locations...
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Happy New Year 2012!
A little music please...
My wish for you and yours in 2012 is to have a safe place to call home and the opportunity to follow your dreams....
Happy New Year!
My wish for you and yours in 2012 is to have a safe place to call home and the opportunity to follow your dreams....
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Fill in the Blank
We needed a a solution to cover the white material,Ty-vek, until we are eventually able to put a window in place.
What to do? What to do?!?
It had run across my mind to put up a German hex design . My heritage is mostly German.However, that idea didn't win out over my interest in wildlife found here at Timber Life.
This is the trail camera picture I felt simple enough for me to try to replicate or at least attempt some resemblance.
A little machine helped me to get the outline of the picture in place since I am not particularly gifted with drawing abilities.
My contribution for reassembly a top the ladder will be a support person at the bottom.
There is certainly much left to be done to get the project completed...Unseasonably warm temperatures this week should give me a chance to spend time with putting some trees in the scenery since the house is still an unheated studio.
Once finished this will be the answer to "Fill in the Blank"....
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wild Pole Dancing Bear
Speaking of Wild...My goodness! This bear sure is Wild on two accounts. By nature and by getting into scratching that itch all UP and down.
Hope you get a laugh out of watching the video like I did....
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas to You!
I would like to share this Nativity that I found at my Mother's Retirement Community as a remembrance for the reason for this special season of Christmas...
Luke 2:15 -20
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,which the Lord hath made known to us.
16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Timber Life!
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,which the Lord hath made known to us.
16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Timber Life!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
2 Bucks in 2 Years
I want to congratulate my neighbor Sam Huntrods for being able to bring down two fantastic looking bucks in the last two years.
Sam uses a Remington 870 shotgun with a Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter Scope to zero in on the right shot.
Sam uses a Remington 870 shotgun with a Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter Scope to zero in on the right shot.
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| Sam Huntrods December 2010 - 16yrs. old The 2010 buck was a part of a large hunting group sweep from the timber here at Timber Life during the first Shotgun Season. If memory serves me the group came through between three and four in the afternoon. It was a successful day for most involved. The second buck in the background belonged to Sam's dad taken out of a family timber south of us. |
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| Sam Huntrods 2012 - 17 yrs. old This fine looking buck came out of a late afternoon hunt the second day of the first Shotgun Season,December 4th. Sam, was hunting on a smaller scale with his dad and uncle this time around. Sam shared that he worked at getting the best angle to limit his activity to one shot, because the buck had a harem of six does, he wanted to limit any extra movement and noise so he wouldn't get busted...This time he was closer into the timber for the hunt. We have had the opportunity to hunt without snow cover this year - cold days, yes, but snow in our location was conspicuously absent . I appreciate having brown ground . However, other hunters voiced their preference for snow and being able to track their kills better. My wish for Sam is that he is able to see continued success from year to year with the early start he was able to achieve. Congratulations Sam! |
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