After tagging out in Virginia, I've turned to spring gobbler hunting in West Virginia. This past Sunday, I was making barred owl sounds, and four of these owls came flying in to my sounds.
They created quite a ruckus, and I saw no need to call further and decided to watch how the owls interacted. To my surprise, two of them attacked each other in mid-air and tumbled to the ground fighting. Then a third owl flew in to where the two were jousting on the ground.
I could not see which owl won the ground battle, but, to my chagrin, all of that hooting awakened nary a gobbler. I went home empty handed, but it was a fascinating morning.
Friday, May 4, 2018
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Spring Gobbler Success in Virginia Woods (Blog 389)
Friday, I took a vacation day from school and hunted my best Botetourt County farm and though I heard five gobblers, I also heard and saw hens. Saturday, I hunted another really good place and heard three toms off our land in the Sinking Creek Valley of Craig County. Sunday, I went to the best farm I have permission to hunt, one in Franklin County. And never came close to killing a bird.
With my having to be at school on Monday morning by 8:45, I almost decided not to go. But, ultimately, I did and a tom came charging in to position, not long after he flew down from the roost. The gobbler and I were back home by around 7:00 A.M., time for Elaine to take pictures of the bird and me, and for me to clean him.
Spring gobbler hunting is full of little ironies, and such was the case again. Three days when I had to noon to hunt and never came close to punching a tag, and then on a short hunt before school, I tagged a tom quickly. Since I killed two VA birds in the fall, I am now tagged out in my home state. Saturday, I will go afield in West Virginia.
With my having to be at school on Monday morning by 8:45, I almost decided not to go. But, ultimately, I did and a tom came charging in to position, not long after he flew down from the roost. The gobbler and I were back home by around 7:00 A.M., time for Elaine to take pictures of the bird and me, and for me to clean him.
Spring gobbler hunting is full of little ironies, and such was the case again. Three days when I had to noon to hunt and never came close to punching a tag, and then on a short hunt before school, I tagged a tom quickly. Since I killed two VA birds in the fall, I am now tagged out in my home state. Saturday, I will go afield in West Virginia.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Virginia Gobblers Uncooperative, but Songbirds Are Returning (Blog 388)
I continued to struggle while turkey hunting this week. I have now been out seven times either on weekends or before school and have not yet seen a gobbler except for one that was about 100 yards away. The typical outing goes like the following: hear toms on the roost, they gobble a little, then they depart with their hens for parts unknown.
The songbird watching and listening has been great, though. Whip-poor-wills and chuck-wills-widows returned this week as did scarlet tanagers, worm-eating warblers, and ovenbirds. Fascinatingly, a worm-eating warbler came within about five yards of me, and I watched it hopping about the forest floor looking for bugs.
The turkey hunting should improve soon, once more hens go to lay their eggs.
The songbird watching and listening has been great, though. Whip-poor-wills and chuck-wills-widows returned this week as did scarlet tanagers, worm-eating warblers, and ovenbirds. Fascinatingly, a worm-eating warbler came within about five yards of me, and I watched it hopping about the forest floor looking for bugs.
The turkey hunting should improve soon, once more hens go to lay their eggs.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Spring Gobbler Opening day in Virginia (Blog 387)
Opening day in Virginia was today, and it was very uneventful for me. With brisk winds, warm weather, and humidity, I was not optimistic there would be much gobbling on the Franklin County farm I was afield on.
Unfortunately, I was correct in my predictions on how the day would be. I didn't hear my first gobble until 9:15, and it was in response to a crow call. I only heard two more the rest of the day, one in answer to the crow call and a random gobble in mid-morning.
Disappointed for sure, but I'm not depressed about it. Sooner or later, the birds will turn on, and then the excitement will begin.
Unfortunately, I was correct in my predictions on how the day would be. I didn't hear my first gobble until 9:15, and it was in response to a crow call. I only heard two more the rest of the day, one in answer to the crow call and a random gobble in mid-morning.
Disappointed for sure, but I'm not depressed about it. Sooner or later, the birds will turn on, and then the excitement will begin.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Setting Up too Close to a Tennessee Gobbler (Blog 386)
This past Saturday, I was in Northeast Tennessee to hunt opening day of that state's spring gobbler season. I was afield with Larry Proffitt, my long time turkey hunting mentor and friend, of Elizabethton. Larry and I climbed a Sullivan County mountain in the dark, and while we were waiting for dawn, a gobbler began sounding off directly behind us.
Larry motioned for me to slowly scoot around to the other side of the tree, which I did. A while later, I was able to make out the tom in a tree about 50 yards from us. Larry had been making pitting sounds before the tom gobbled, which perhaps made the old boy start up.
Anyway, I felt doom was at hand when I saw that the gobbler was so close. Every time except one during my 32 years of spring gobbler hunting when I have, by chance, set up in the dark within sight of a roosted gobbler, the hunt had turned out badly.
This hunt, too, ended in failure as when dawn came, the tom pitched down and quickly rambled away out of shooting range. All I could do was watch him flee. Is there such a thing as being too close to a roosted tom? I think so.
Larry motioned for me to slowly scoot around to the other side of the tree, which I did. A while later, I was able to make out the tom in a tree about 50 yards from us. Larry had been making pitting sounds before the tom gobbled, which perhaps made the old boy start up.
Anyway, I felt doom was at hand when I saw that the gobbler was so close. Every time except one during my 32 years of spring gobbler hunting when I have, by chance, set up in the dark within sight of a roosted gobbler, the hunt had turned out badly.
This hunt, too, ended in failure as when dawn came, the tom pitched down and quickly rambled away out of shooting range. All I could do was watch him flee. Is there such a thing as being too close to a roosted tom? I think so.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Gobblers in Virginia Begin Anew (Blog 385)
A blast of cold air and two snowfalls shut down all gobbling here in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, that is, all gobbling except for one lone tom. In the midst of a driving wind and precipitation, that old boy was gobbling.
That is the type of bird that I would like to hunt on opening day - one gobbling in the wind and snow. That kind of tom will invariably come charging in.
Still, he was the only one to sound off for the entire week until the warm front came through this morning. Predictably, a gobbler on the eastern side of our property greeted the dawn and was so boisterous that both my son-in-law David and I both heard him. Opening day is just two weeks distant.
That is the type of bird that I would like to hunt on opening day - one gobbling in the wind and snow. That kind of tom will invariably come charging in.
Still, he was the only one to sound off for the entire week until the warm front came through this morning. Predictably, a gobbler on the eastern side of our property greeted the dawn and was so boisterous that both my son-in-law David and I both heard him. Opening day is just two weeks distant.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Chickens in the Snow (Blog 384)
At 2:45 this morning, I woke up, looked out the window and saw snow falling, and knew what I had to do. Earlier this month, we had a wet, slushy snow, and the netting covering our two chicken runs collapsed, leaving our heritage Rhode Island Reds vulnerable to an owl or hawk attack.
Elaine and I spent an hour or so repairing the damage then. I figured it was better to arise in the wee hours than wait until dawn and try to repair the net. When I arrived inside the two runs, the netting was already badly sagging, so I as delicately as possible tapped the bottom of the netting with a broom to cause snow to cascade through the openings.
I'll go outside at dawn to do the broom tapping gambit again. I expect more such visits will be required during what appears will be a long, snow-filled day.
Elaine and I spent an hour or so repairing the damage then. I figured it was better to arise in the wee hours than wait until dawn and try to repair the net. When I arrived inside the two runs, the netting was already badly sagging, so I as delicately as possible tapped the bottom of the netting with a broom to cause snow to cascade through the openings.
I'll go outside at dawn to do the broom tapping gambit again. I expect more such visits will be required during what appears will be a long, snow-filled day.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Gobbling Intensity Increasing in Southwest Virginia (Blog 383)
What a difference a week makes here in Southwest Virginia in terms of gobbling intensity. Two weeks ago, a lone gobble every few mornings was the norm. Now, the "normal" progression of spring morning sounds is evident.
For example, this morning, the crows, as is typical in spring, were the first birds to really announce the dawn in a boisterous way. This seemed to wake up two gobblers behind my house, and they began gobbling every 45 or so seconds. I also noted that the two toms were on opposite side of our 38 acres in Botetourt County, perhaps because they have already endured several skirmishes with each other.
What I expect to happen next - perhaps in just a few days - is an outbreak of non-stop gobbling as one longbeard becomes consumed with the prospects of mating, which, in turn, sets several other gobblers off.
For example, this morning, the crows, as is typical in spring, were the first birds to really announce the dawn in a boisterous way. This seemed to wake up two gobblers behind my house, and they began gobbling every 45 or so seconds. I also noted that the two toms were on opposite side of our 38 acres in Botetourt County, perhaps because they have already endured several skirmishes with each other.
What I expect to happen next - perhaps in just a few days - is an outbreak of non-stop gobbling as one longbeard becomes consumed with the prospects of mating, which, in turn, sets several other gobblers off.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Woodcock Mating Season in Full Throttle in Southwest Virginia (Blog 382)
This morning at 5:45, I left our Botetourt County, Virginia house to walk and almost immediately heard the sounds of a male woodcock doing his mating aerial dance. Soon afterwards, I heard another woodcock while I was walking up the driveway. And about 100 yards into my walk, a third one was heard.
Next to hearing the sounds of gobblers in early spring, I love to hear the whistling and peents of woodcocks. Adding to the morning aura was snow flakes falling. In the distance, it seemed like the surrounding mountains were enveloped in snow as well. The forecast is for snow at dawn on Monday. I wonder if the woodcocks will persist in their mating rituals if snow falls?
Next to hearing the sounds of gobblers in early spring, I love to hear the whistling and peents of woodcocks. Adding to the morning aura was snow flakes falling. In the distance, it seemed like the surrounding mountains were enveloped in snow as well. The forecast is for snow at dawn on Monday. I wonder if the woodcocks will persist in their mating rituals if snow falls?
Thursday, March 1, 2018
First Gobbling, First Woodcock (Blog 381)
Yesterday, February 28, brought the first gobble of the morning, here in Southwest Virginia. I was out walking when I heard a distant jake sound off. Not quite believing my ears, I paused for several minutes, then yelped with my mouth.
Nothing answered, so I resumed my walk feeling that I had misinterpreted what I thought I had heard. However, three minutes later, the jake gobbled again, and this time there was no mistaking the sound. I again yelped and again no response. Several minutes later, the young tom belted out one more gobble.
This morning brought a cool rain and 50 degree temperatures in Botetourt County. While I was tending to our chickens, I heard the distant sounds of a woodcock doing his aerial mating dance. Two sure signs of onrushing spring are gobbling toms and the return of woodcocks.
Nothing answered, so I resumed my walk feeling that I had misinterpreted what I thought I had heard. However, three minutes later, the jake gobbled again, and this time there was no mistaking the sound. I again yelped and again no response. Several minutes later, the young tom belted out one more gobble.
This morning brought a cool rain and 50 degree temperatures in Botetourt County. While I was tending to our chickens, I heard the distant sounds of a woodcock doing his aerial mating dance. Two sure signs of onrushing spring are gobbling toms and the return of woodcocks.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
No Gobbling Yet in the Southwest Virginia Mountains (Blog 380)
For the past week or so, I have been listening a little more intently to the beginning signs of spring as the morning temperatures have been in the 50s. Two days ago, this winter/spring, I heard a song sparrow singing its mating song for the first time. Cardinals have already broken into song and mourning doves are likewise in full-blown mating mood.
Our two Rhode Island Red roosters have increased the intensity of their morning skirmishes, even though their respective domains are separated by a wire fence. The two roosters often fling themselves against the fence and give each other the evil eye in this battle for one upsmanship.
Still, though, I have not heard the first gobble on our 38 acres in Botetourt County. While I was tending the chickens this morning, two turkey hens began yelping and cutting, and I was sure that a tom would respond to that. But none did. It won't be long, though, because I have at least two longbeards that roost on our land.
Our two Rhode Island Red roosters have increased the intensity of their morning skirmishes, even though their respective domains are separated by a wire fence. The two roosters often fling themselves against the fence and give each other the evil eye in this battle for one upsmanship.
Still, though, I have not heard the first gobble on our 38 acres in Botetourt County. While I was tending the chickens this morning, two turkey hens began yelping and cutting, and I was sure that a tom would respond to that. But none did. It won't be long, though, because I have at least two longbeards that roost on our land.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
More Young Forests Needed in Virginia's National Forests (Blog 379)
This weekend, I am going hiking in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest with Wayne Thacker, chair of the Virginia Wildlife Habitat Coalition. This is a group from such Virginia entities as the Bear Hunters Association, the Bowhunters Association, the Deer Hunters Association, the Hunting Dog Alliance, the State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation State Leadership Team, the State Advisory Council of the Quality Deer Management Association, and representatives from two Virginia Ruffed Grouse Chapters.
We will be talking about the need for the creation of more young forests on the GWJNF as part of a Virginia Wildlife magazine story I am working on. Many people, both hunters and non-hunters, do not realize the importance of young forests and early succession habitat for many species of game and non-game wildlife.
A good publication on this is Talking about Young Forests, A Communication Handbook. For more information, contact Thacker at bumcw
We will be talking about the need for the creation of more young forests on the GWJNF as part of a Virginia Wildlife magazine story I am working on. Many people, both hunters and non-hunters, do not realize the importance of young forests and early succession habitat for many species of game and non-game wildlife.
A good publication on this is Talking about Young Forests, A Communication Handbook. For more information, contact Thacker at bumcw
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Signs of Spring in Virginia (Blog 378)
It's not even mid-February yet, but I noticed an early sign of spring this week - a male cardinal singing in a lusty manner. Of course, cardinals are a year-round resident in Southwest Virginia, and they do sing year-round, which is unlike most songbirds.
Nevertheless, the duration of this particular bird's song was what made it different. The cardinal, at dawn, launched into a full-throated outburst and kept up the music for quite some time. In a week or so, I wager, our local Carolina wren will begin doing the same, and I also expect to hear mourning doves singing soon as they are one of the first birds to build nests, around here usually in March.
I also expect the two turkey gobblers that have been roosting behind our house to become "restless" by early March. Then I will know for sure that spring is here.
Nevertheless, the duration of this particular bird's song was what made it different. The cardinal, at dawn, launched into a full-throated outburst and kept up the music for quite some time. In a week or so, I wager, our local Carolina wren will begin doing the same, and I also expect to hear mourning doves singing soon as they are one of the first birds to build nests, around here usually in March.
I also expect the two turkey gobblers that have been roosting behind our house to become "restless" by early March. Then I will know for sure that spring is here.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Letting Our Heritage Rhode Island Reds Forage (Blog 377)
Today is bitterly cold and with snow in the forecast for Sunday, Elaine and I decided to let our heritage Rhode Island Reds forage in our backyard while I cleaned out their henhouse. After our chickens had been in the yard for a while, I noticed that Elaine had followed our flock into the surrounding woodlot.
"There's just nothing green for them to eat in the yard," said Elaine, and she was right. It is now February and the depth of winter, and the yard is as gray as the sky on an overcast day. Perhaps our chickens found a few random green tidbits among the forest duff, but chances are that, too, had been picked over by songbirds, squirrels, and rabbits. It's winter and times are hard for wildlife and wandering chickens.
"There's just nothing green for them to eat in the yard," said Elaine, and she was right. It is now February and the depth of winter, and the yard is as gray as the sky on an overcast day. Perhaps our chickens found a few random green tidbits among the forest duff, but chances are that, too, had been picked over by songbirds, squirrels, and rabbits. It's winter and times are hard for wildlife and wandering chickens.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Heading Out into the Virginia Turkey Woods (Blog 376)
It's 5:39 A.M. as I write this and in about 20 minutes my son-in-law David Reynolds will be by to pick me up for us to go turkey hunting on the last day of Virginia's winter turkey season. I have killed my two-bird limit, so I won't be carrying a gun, but I am still really excited to be going.
So excited that I had trouble sleeping last night. Just the thought of entering the woods to pursue turkeys, whether it is fall, winter, or spring, is incredible pleasurable and stimulating to me. The challenge of matching up against a bird whose sight and hearing is far superior to mine and whose instincts are so raw and pure. It's one of the many great things about hunting turkeys.
Who knows whether David will kill a bird or not or whether we will even find a flock. That story will be written in the woods this morning.
So excited that I had trouble sleeping last night. Just the thought of entering the woods to pursue turkeys, whether it is fall, winter, or spring, is incredible pleasurable and stimulating to me. The challenge of matching up against a bird whose sight and hearing is far superior to mine and whose instincts are so raw and pure. It's one of the many great things about hunting turkeys.
Who knows whether David will kill a bird or not or whether we will even find a flock. That story will be written in the woods this morning.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Homebound in the Virginia Mountains (Blog 375)
The weather continues to be bitterly cold here in Southwest Virginia, and school is closed once again, so I can't start Of Mice and Men again today with my tenth graders or help my freshmen with their PowerPoints on the 1930s.
Our two flocks of heritage Rhode Island Reds are refusing to come out of their respective henhouses, except for brief forays to the feeder. And Elaine has beaten me three straight games of Scrabble. We were half way through the game last night, and she was already ahead of me by some 150 points. It was then that I did the only thing I could - overturn the board and concede defeat. I used to overturn the board when she was ahead and claim that it was an accident. That gambit has never worked, however.
Warmer days are hopefully ahead.
Our two flocks of heritage Rhode Island Reds are refusing to come out of their respective henhouses, except for brief forays to the feeder. And Elaine has beaten me three straight games of Scrabble. We were half way through the game last night, and she was already ahead of me by some 150 points. It was then that I did the only thing I could - overturn the board and concede defeat. I used to overturn the board when she was ahead and claim that it was an accident. That gambit has never worked, however.
Warmer days are hopefully ahead.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Rhode Island Red Pullets Start Laying (Blog 374)
Life is full of small success stories. Last April, Elaine and I watched one of our heritage Rhode Island Red hens, Mary, hatch three chicks on her first try as a mother. Although we had hatched other eggs in an incubator, there is no comparison to seeing a hen actually do what genetically she is programmed to do.
This week, Mary's two pullets began laying eggs. Elaine has named them Thelma and Louise as my wife is in charge of naming the hens while I give the cockerels their appellations. The first egg appeared on Wednesday and the second on Thursday, though the two young hens have not yet grasped the concept of depositing their eggs in a nesting box. Nevertheless, it is exciting times in the Ingram household.
This week, Mary's two pullets began laying eggs. Elaine has named them Thelma and Louise as my wife is in charge of naming the hens while I give the cockerels their appellations. The first egg appeared on Wednesday and the second on Thursday, though the two young hens have not yet grasped the concept of depositing their eggs in a nesting box. Nevertheless, it is exciting times in the Ingram household.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Deer Hunting in the Cold (Blog 373)
Today is the last day of deer season, and I am doubtful if I will be able to summon up enough courage to go afield. Monday, New Year's Day, my son-in-law David Reynolds and I went to a Botetourt County, Virginia cattle farm, arriving on our respective stands around 3:15.
The temperature with the wind chill was 4 degrees, and neither one of us made it to the end of shooting light at 5:35. In fact, we ran into each other leaving the woods at 5:15. Neither one of us had seen a deer. David summed up our respective thoughts when he said, "I knew it was time to get up when I realized I was too cold to shoot a deer if one did come by."
We talked earlier in the week about going today in late afternoon when the temperature will be around 0 with the wind chill. I have a feeling that we will probably cancel.
The temperature with the wind chill was 4 degrees, and neither one of us made it to the end of shooting light at 5:35. In fact, we ran into each other leaving the woods at 5:15. Neither one of us had seen a deer. David summed up our respective thoughts when he said, "I knew it was time to get up when I realized I was too cold to shoot a deer if one did come by."
We talked earlier in the week about going today in late afternoon when the temperature will be around 0 with the wind chill. I have a feeling that we will probably cancel.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Babysitting the Grandsons (Blog 372)
It's a blustery, cold Saturday, and our wood stove is stoked, and our grandsons Sam (age 5) and Eli (age 3) are having a sleepover. As I write, we are watching a Thomas movie and the boys are drinking hot chocolate. Eli has already spilled his, but, hey,no problem.
I have often teased Elaine that when I first asked her out if I had said, "Go out with me on a date, and one night 35 or 40 years later, we can be babysitting our grandchildren. Would you have gone out with me, if that had been my line?"
Elaine is rather non-committal on that question, leaving me much in doubt if that would have been a good approach.
I have often teased Elaine that when I first asked her out if I had said, "Go out with me on a date, and one night 35 or 40 years later, we can be babysitting our grandchildren. Would you have gone out with me, if that had been my line?"
Elaine is rather non-committal on that question, leaving me much in doubt if that would have been a good approach.
Friday, December 22, 2017
Finding a Christmas Tree with my Grandsons (Blog 371)
One of the joys of living out in the country and having Elaine's and my two grandsons, five-year-old Sam and three-year-old Eli, living nearby is seeing them experience Christmas. This week one day after school, the boys came over and helped me find, cut down, and drag back to the house a Christmas tree.
The tree was just a scrawny Virginia pine, but to Same and Eli, it was a tree of magnificent beauty and importance. I look forward to seeing them unrap their presents there on Monday
The tree was just a scrawny Virginia pine, but to Same and Eli, it was a tree of magnificent beauty and importance. I look forward to seeing them unrap their presents there on Monday
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