The Timber Life Rut Report

Time to share some central Iowa info on a seasonal event. I don't know how many among you get emotionally charged like me when I  see the first signs that indicate the White-tail deer are beginning the rut season, but I am guessing a few with the search results I see on how people are finding my blog.

Here at Timber Life I start searching for buck rubs around October 17th, I was not to be disappointed with a change of date. The morning of October 17th, right on cue, there was a visible rub in the opposite corner of a pasture next to our homestead. A couple days later I headed off in a few directions to see how far the boundaries had extended from what I knew as the starting point. This is the second year for that particular rub, but it didn't become evident until December last year.

First Buck Rub

I moved a few hundred feet west of the first rub and found two more rubs not far apart, crossed over the ravine and found a concentration of small trees...some getting shredded to the point they had lost their tops.

 My comment at this point would have to be that I am seeing bucks and does with nose to the ground, or tasting the air, searching for that right scent. I have witnessed a few chase scenes during the early morning grazing of the soybean field as the deer pass back into the timber for the day.

I keep moving my trail camera in an attempt to catch the bucks making their mark, but so far it seems to take time off when things are heating up.

Other locations on our property have seen an increase in activity as well. I will make note in my record keeping that one of the most used rubs - one I thought would be the first to show any kind of attention, didn't until this past week.

I would have to say the deer are definitely on the move. Please remain aware of your surroundings if they commonly make your path, their path...

Facebook - My Passing Fad

Three years ago this past January I decided to follow some of my blogging buddies off to the world of Facebook. I am not one who would indiscriminately add people for whom I didn't know. My theory was to hang with the family,blogging buddies,circles associated with blogging buddies,and a limited number of past friends. One of the reasons I went was a chance to share my pictures,hear about what was going on in the family groups, and to catch other hunter's experiences in a centralized location. I have had my fill of individuals saying how positive they believe themselves to be and then a little while later they are battling with negative emotions about some issue, letting everyone know...Individuals who depend on the public for their livelyhoods, but so willing to express how they feel about those people if their patience is tested. My ability to filter all the emotions I see expressed have reached a boiling point;I need to take another path. Experiences on Facebook are what you make of them and could be a profitable use of Social Media.I cannot unequivocally say I will never return, but for now I am taking a vacation from the dramas,material that I don't believe is appropriate and widely accepted...

Deer on the Hill

Iowa has been seeing some warm fall temperatures and the white-tail deer crowd has been slow in making their mass presence known here at Timber Life.

The trail camera started seeing some early increased movement the last of August with a small cool down , it didn't last. Things warmed up again and  water sources continue to be dry due to our drought.

One day this past week, on my return trip from gathering the trail camera card, I was greeted by these girls standing like statues while pausing on a make-shift  path through the harvested beanfield. I believe the dominant/grandma doe is standing in the lead, then great-grandaughter, grand-daughter, or possibly a second daughter, and a daughter following up at the rear of the line. A purely speculative thought, but sizes do seem to support that hypothesis.

My mind jumped to a post I had made in July of 2009, about the generational  home range of the White-tail  family groups.

Majestic

My presence didn't seem to create an immediate flight response, but a curiosity. Our stare down lasted for quite some time.

   Eventually, since I didn't move along, they became uncomfortable and the chain reaction started within the  group. The dominant and youngest does in the group felt intimidated first.

           One of the most common modes of communication I witness is the muzzle to muzzle.

Kickin' it into gear!

The others had already taken off for a more sheltered situation, so, the last in line shifted into high gear to make up for being left behind.

As the cold fronts continue to move-in, I expect to see the deer return in grand fashion for we are what you would call a "winter deer yard". Looking forward  to seeing what might be wandering passed in the days ahead...

In Memory of 9-11-2001

The lives and the history of this day will not be forgotten.
I,who have only witnessed this event by media accounts cannot totally grasp the enormity of the gaping holes left by the attacks on property and humanity. 

                                  
The lives and the history of this day will not be forgotten. We can pick-up the pieces and build again. In doing so we are keeping the memory alive of what transpired there on that day.
                                  
The lives and the history of this day will not be forgotten.
Join others and become apart of the 9/11 Memorial Service today,September 11, 2012, at 8:30 a.m EST...    God Bless the USA!

Saylorville Dam on the Des Moines River

Welcome!  If you are following my afternoon wanderings, or jumping in for the first time,thank you for your visit to checkout the remainder of our day below the Saylorville Dam.

My choice to use extra large images is to get you totally immersed in the moment.

Confluence of the Des Moines River and Saylorville Dam Spillway

Saylorville Dam from the  Fishing Pier

Cottonwood Recreation Area Fishing Pier

                                 The Blue Herons of  the Cottonwood Recreation Area

The first blue heron we came across in our adventure of the day was at the pond close to the entrance of the park.

Our ponds and marshes are suffering greatly due to a lack of water...if water remains it is filled with algae.

Driving farther into the park we came to one of the shelters where we decided to get out of the car for a closer look at the river. Our activity disturbed one of the local residents.

We climbed back into the car to move closer to the dam you saw at the top of the post and to another sandbar. 

This heron was the one that gave me an abundance of a bird in motion pictures as it flew closer to me.

The heron above came flying from the group of trees across from the fishing pier. I attempted to catch the heron while it perched in the tree, but I have yet to be able to provide an image for which I approve.
Our State Department of Natural Resources provides a weekly report to fisher people. The one below came out a couple of weeks ago when I originally started this post.

This may be of interest to local individuals-

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Good size channel cats are being caught drifting cut baits.  The old river channel north of the mile long bridge is a good starting point.  White Bass - Good: The white bass are active are can be caught around the Cherry Glen and Sandpiper areas as well as the west side of the lake.  Some of the best action has come by trolling small lipless crankbaits in shad colors, along with small flashy spoons and twister tails.

 

Reservoir fishing continues to be very good to excellent right now for white bass, wipers, and channel catfish. Try fishing early in the morning or late in the evenings when fish are most active.  For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at  515-432-2823 .

As we hopped back into the car for our exit from the park, and escaping the increasing heat, we saw some young fishermen carrying heavy duty fishing poles down to the river. I speculated to Hubby that they would be going after the channel catfish most likely lying at the bottom of the river close to the edge of  the sandbar immediately before us...

My hope is to share a glimpse of the opportunities available for in-state or to out of state visitors,or inspire you to checkout your local wildlife sanctuaries wherever you live...

Cottonwood Recreation Area

The Cottonwood Recreation Area was our third and final stop in our few hours spent checking out the lake and the river.

In our years together,Hubby and I have shared this park area the most with other people. However, we haven't been here for years.Passed by many times, but always committed time wise...today was different.

Before the floods,1993,2008, etc...etc.., the banks along the river were covered with big stately trees, wonderful shade for late afternoon picnics.

Today, we saw a lot of exposed sandbars due to low river levels.

Hubby scaled down the rip-rap onto the sandbar to explore, while I headed over to the fishing pier.

On my way to the pier I checked out the story board before spending most of my time taking pictures of the birds fishing the shallows.

Stop back soon and I'll share more about our relaxing day by the rolling water just below the Saylorville Dam.