Signs of spring are all around Elaine's and my Botetourt County, Virginia home. A winter visitor, a hermit thrush, is singing his mating song, a mockingbird is in full throat, and the mourning doves are already mating.
But a sure sign of spring is our local bears coming out of hibernation. Yesterday, we were greeted with the sight of a bruin wrecking our compost bin, emptying the contents and pushing/shoving the bin about 10 yards into the woods.
We won't use the compost bin again until December when winter sets in. Then make sure that its contents are spread earlier next March.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 24, 2017
Two Weeks before Virginia's Spring Gobbler Opener (Blog 332)
The two weeks before Virginia's spring gobbler season begins, I think, is when a season is made. This is the time when scouting takes place, and I check out farms and national forest land where gobblers may be.
The first week is all about finding the gobblers, the second about determining which ones are more likely to respond to calling. Tomorrow, Saturday, I'll visit the first place on my list, some property in northern Botetourt County. I also have scheduled visits to Craig and Franklin counties in the coming days. By the opener, I should have a good idea where my chances for success are highest.
The first week is all about finding the gobblers, the second about determining which ones are more likely to respond to calling. Tomorrow, Saturday, I'll visit the first place on my list, some property in northern Botetourt County. I also have scheduled visits to Craig and Franklin counties in the coming days. By the opener, I should have a good idea where my chances for success are highest.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Gobbling on a Snowy, Virginia Morning (Blog 331)
Tuesday morning here in Botetourt County, Virginia, I didn't have school as some snow fell, the winds were gusty, and the temperature plummeted into the single digits. Yet, as I did my morning chores of taking care of our chickens, I heard a gobbler sound off in the midst of the snow, wind, and frigid temperatures.
Why would a tom be gobbling in absolutely terrible conditions? On our land, I've heard gobblers gobbling during summertime afternoons, wintertime cold fronts, and rainy fall days. Turkeys never cease to amaze me concerning why they do what they do.
I've also not heard gobblers gobbling during absolutely glorious spring mornings when all the conditions were perfect and even when the hens were raising a ruckus on the roost. It is simply a mystery.
Why would a tom be gobbling in absolutely terrible conditions? On our land, I've heard gobblers gobbling during summertime afternoons, wintertime cold fronts, and rainy fall days. Turkeys never cease to amaze me concerning why they do what they do.
I've also not heard gobblers gobbling during absolutely glorious spring mornings when all the conditions were perfect and even when the hens were raising a ruckus on the roost. It is simply a mystery.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Emerald Ash Borer and Ash Trees (Blog 330)
It's a cold March Saturday here in Botetourt County, Virginia, and I am preparing to go outside and cut down ash trees. In the current issue of the QDMA magazine, Quality Whitetails, I have a story on how the emerald ash borer has devastated the ash trees in this country and such is certainly the case on our 38 acres.
Almost every ash on our land is sick, dying, or already dead, and I suspect the few that are not have the EAB inside them, just waiting for warmer weather to do their deadly work. Most of our ashes live in our creek bottom, but there are a fair number in our hardwood hollow and one recently cut one was in our backyard.
It is a small comfort that the ashes will be firewood for years to come, but it is a tragedy that they will all soon be dead.
Almost every ash on our land is sick, dying, or already dead, and I suspect the few that are not have the EAB inside them, just waiting for warmer weather to do their deadly work. Most of our ashes live in our creek bottom, but there are a fair number in our hardwood hollow and one recently cut one was in our backyard.
It is a small comfort that the ashes will be firewood for years to come, but it is a tragedy that they will all soon be dead.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Early Spring Wildlife Habitat Projects (Blog 336)
After being sick the past two weekends, I was finally able to start my spring wildlife habitat improvement projects on our 38-acres in Botetourt County, Virginia. I started off the weekend Friday after school by spraying multi-flora rose and cutting and splitting wood.
Then Saturday, I sprayed more invasive species and planted clover in the upper food plot. Topping things off was a great meal, courtesy of Elaine, of deer burgers, baked potatoes, and blackberry cobbler.
On the agenda for Sunday is to plant Yukon Gold potatoes and cut more wood. I may be able to do some Timber Stand Improvement projects, too.
Then Saturday, I sprayed more invasive species and planted clover in the upper food plot. Topping things off was a great meal, courtesy of Elaine, of deer burgers, baked potatoes, and blackberry cobbler.
On the agenda for Sunday is to plant Yukon Gold potatoes and cut more wood. I may be able to do some Timber Stand Improvement projects, too.
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