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.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
First Gobbling of the Virginia Spring (Blog 335)
Thursday morning, I heard my first gobble of the spring while I was tending to the chickens. The week before, I had witnessed the return of the male woodcocks and their mating dances, so I knew the tom turkeys would be expressing their virility soon.
What does it all mean? Well, to the male turkeys and woodcocks, I supposed their vocal outbursts mean the world. To the females they are trying to impress, I would guess it means very little. But that will all change in short order. In a few weeks, the ardor of the males will be matched, to a degree, by that of the females.
What does it all mean? Well, to the male turkeys and woodcocks, I supposed their vocal outbursts mean the world. To the females they are trying to impress, I would guess it means very little. But that will all change in short order. In a few weeks, the ardor of the males will be matched, to a degree, by that of the females.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Edith and Mary Square Off (Blog 334)
With our heritage Rhode Island Red chickens, Elaine's task is to name the hens. With our flock, she decided to have a Downton Abbey theme naming our hens Mary, Violet, Edith and Daisy. In a case of the chicken yard imitating life, Mary lately has been picking on Edith, running her away from the feeder and waterer.
I can understand that as chickens have a pecking order that must be settled among themselves. But Mary has taken to running Edith out of the hen house at night when the hens and their rooster Al are trying to fly up to the roost. This is unacceptable as Elaine and I have to wait long minutes in the dark for Mary to stop the bullying.
Tonight, I became weary of Mary running Edith out. So I picked up Mary, put her in the yard, put Edith in the hen house, and then removed the gangplank running to the house.
Now it was Mary's turn to panic as she was on the outside wanting in. She was unable to fly up to the door. I let Edith become settled inside then I put Mary inside. Hopefully, I will only have to do this a few more times before the nightly nonsense stops.
I can understand that as chickens have a pecking order that must be settled among themselves. But Mary has taken to running Edith out of the hen house at night when the hens and their rooster Al are trying to fly up to the roost. This is unacceptable as Elaine and I have to wait long minutes in the dark for Mary to stop the bullying.
Tonight, I became weary of Mary running Edith out. So I picked up Mary, put her in the yard, put Edith in the hen house, and then removed the gangplank running to the house.
Now it was Mary's turn to panic as she was on the outside wanting in. She was unable to fly up to the door. I let Edith become settled inside then I put Mary inside. Hopefully, I will only have to do this a few more times before the nightly nonsense stops.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Persimmon Bread on a February Saturday Night (Blog 333)
Back in the fall, Elaine and I gathered persimmons one cold afternoon. Elaine made cookies and bread from our haul, and we ate the cookies over the next few days or so. But the persimmon bread we froze for a winter weekend.
There is a joy in life based around anticipation of eating good things one day in the future. So we picked this weekend to reheat the bread and enjoy the especial nature of persimmon bread - a very dark bread with the sweet taste of persimmons and the nuttiness of walnuts proving a tasty tandem. It was a very fitting dessert for dinner, but I also confess that I had some for breakfast, too.
There is a joy in life based around anticipation of eating good things one day in the future. So we picked this weekend to reheat the bread and enjoy the especial nature of persimmon bread - a very dark bread with the sweet taste of persimmons and the nuttiness of walnuts proving a tasty tandem. It was a very fitting dessert for dinner, but I also confess that I had some for breakfast, too.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Planning a Winter Saturday (Blog 332)
With Virginia's turkey season now over, it's time to move on to other Saturday wintertime pursuits. Tomorrow I plan to spend much of the daylight period in the hollow behind my house. I need to cut up a massive chestnut oak limb that fell, a black oak tree that was cut down, plus turn a downed black locust into firewood.
After I finish work with the chainsaw, the mall will be required to reduce the wood into servicable firewood-sized chunks. If the weather turns warm in the afternoon, I might want to still hunt for squirrels through the woodlot.
As I write this, Elaine is making venison soup and perhaps I can prevail upon her to bake a wild blackberry pie to go with it. An evening spent with her by the woodstove and dining on this type of food would be an evening well spent.
After I finish work with the chainsaw, the mall will be required to reduce the wood into servicable firewood-sized chunks. If the weather turns warm in the afternoon, I might want to still hunt for squirrels through the woodlot.
As I write this, Elaine is making venison soup and perhaps I can prevail upon her to bake a wild blackberry pie to go with it. An evening spent with her by the woodstove and dining on this type of food would be an evening well spent.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Success in the Virginia Turkey Woods (Blog 331)
I decided to go turkey hunting after school today, as Virginia's winter season ends this Saturday, and I still had an unpunched tag. Honestly, with the hatch being less than stellar and with an abundance of acorns, I was not expecting to be successful. Most of my hunts this fall/winter have resulted in my not seeing any turkeys.
But lo and behold, I emitted some hoarse kee-kee runs and a flock of longbeards ambled in. His picture is below.
But lo and behold, I emitted some hoarse kee-kee runs and a flock of longbeards ambled in. His picture is below.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Rhode Island Reds Sick, but now Recovering (Blog 330)
Several weeks ago, I wrote that our young flock of Rhode Island Reds were staying inside during the recent snowstorm. At first, Elaine and I thought they were just scared of their first snow, and perhaps they were, but developments now make us thing something else was in play.
When the harsh weather was still going on, we looked into the coop one day and saw a hen whose eye was swollen shut. She was also very lethargic and continued to grow weaker. Eventually, we had to put her down.
Then our cockerel Al began to have trouble walking as did one of the hens. We eventually had to purchase an anti-inflamatory from a vet to help rejuvenate them. Both Al and the hen are doing much better now, and we hope they can rejoin the flock next week.
The next time we have a bitterly cold spell, we are going to monitor the hen house more closely.
When the harsh weather was still going on, we looked into the coop one day and saw a hen whose eye was swollen shut. She was also very lethargic and continued to grow weaker. Eventually, we had to put her down.
Then our cockerel Al began to have trouble walking as did one of the hens. We eventually had to purchase an anti-inflamatory from a vet to help rejuvenate them. Both Al and the hen are doing much better now, and we hope they can rejoin the flock next week.
The next time we have a bitterly cold spell, we are going to monitor the hen house more closely.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
No Luck with Virginia's Winter Turkeys, but the Birdwatching was Great (Blog 329)
Today, Virginia's winter turkey season began, and I heard a flock on the roost behind my house at dawn. I was only about 75 yards from their roost site which was on a creek ridge. Knowing that if I tried to scatter the flock, the birds would simply fly across the creek onto a neighbor's land, I decided to sit tight.
Unfortunately, after fly down, I heard nothing and thinking the birds had moved downstream, as is their usual habitat, I decided to loop around them and see if I could position myself in the direction that the flock was travelling. When I arose to do so, several seconds later I ran right into the flock, which then flew across the creek. If I had chosen to sit still, would the birds have walked right to me? Who knows with turkeys.
While trying to call the flock back across the creek, which, predictably ended in failure, I saw several interesting songbirds: brown creepers and golden-crowned kinglets. They were in one of those winter mixed flocks that also included Carolina chickadees, downy woodpeckers, and white-breasted nuthatches.
Unfortunately, after fly down, I heard nothing and thinking the birds had moved downstream, as is their usual habitat, I decided to loop around them and see if I could position myself in the direction that the flock was travelling. When I arose to do so, several seconds later I ran right into the flock, which then flew across the creek. If I had chosen to sit still, would the birds have walked right to me? Who knows with turkeys.
While trying to call the flock back across the creek, which, predictably ended in failure, I saw several interesting songbirds: brown creepers and golden-crowned kinglets. They were in one of those winter mixed flocks that also included Carolina chickadees, downy woodpeckers, and white-breasted nuthatches.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Rhode Island Reds in the Snow (Blog 328)
Five inches of snow fell here in Botetourt County, Virginia today. We have two flocks of heritage Rhode Island Reds, and they live in adjacent runs. The flock we call the "Old Reds" are a year-and-a-half old and, today, seemed to remember snow from last winter.
They stayed in their hen house until it was warmer in mid-morning, and then everybody ventured out to eat snow in order to consume their water. Elaine had placed a heated waterer in the corner of the run, but, as was true last year, this flock did not walk through the snow to reach the waterer. In short, the older flock was not intimidated by the weather.
Meanwhile, the "Young Reds," which were born in early March, experienced their first snow and were too scared to leave their hen house all morning. I brought them some food and water, both of which they eagerly consumed, but then Elaine and I decided that our young charges needed to lose their fear of snow. We gathered up each member of the flock, including Al our cockerel and leader of his flock, and placed each one outside in the snow. Without exception, each young bird crumpled in fear when they were placed in the snow and seemed terrified.
But after a few seconds, each of the Reds decided to move about and went to their feeder and waterer. We are hoping that on Sunday, the birds remember their newfound courage to take on snow.
They stayed in their hen house until it was warmer in mid-morning, and then everybody ventured out to eat snow in order to consume their water. Elaine had placed a heated waterer in the corner of the run, but, as was true last year, this flock did not walk through the snow to reach the waterer. In short, the older flock was not intimidated by the weather.
Meanwhile, the "Young Reds," which were born in early March, experienced their first snow and were too scared to leave their hen house all morning. I brought them some food and water, both of which they eagerly consumed, but then Elaine and I decided that our young charges needed to lose their fear of snow. We gathered up each member of the flock, including Al our cockerel and leader of his flock, and placed each one outside in the snow. Without exception, each young bird crumpled in fear when they were placed in the snow and seemed terrified.
But after a few seconds, each of the Reds decided to move about and went to their feeder and waterer. We are hoping that on Sunday, the birds remember their newfound courage to take on snow.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Emerald Ash Borer Arrives (Blog 327
On Elaine's and my 38 acres in Botetourt County, Virginia, the emerald ash borer has arrived with a vengenance. My son-in-law David first pointed out the fact several weeks ago, and now I have made a survey of our land, and most of the ashes are dead or dying.
I have cut one of the dying ones down for firewood and marked several others for removal. David has also noted several that he will cut down for firewood, as David and his family also live on this land.
Invasive species are a threat to wildlife and wildlife habitat. And that has become apparent once again on my little postage stamp of land.
I have cut one of the dying ones down for firewood and marked several others for removal. David has also noted several that he will cut down for firewood, as David and his family also live on this land.
Invasive species are a threat to wildlife and wildlife habitat. And that has become apparent once again on my little postage stamp of land.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
The HighPoint of My Christmas: Going Walking with My Grandson Sam (Blog 326)
Christmas was very enjoyable this weekend. Elaine and I had dinner at Sarah and David's house on Saturday evening with David's parents and our son Mark and his girlfriend Ashley. And Sunday, we had Sarah and David over with their boys Sam and Eli, plus Mark came, too to open presents and eat brunch.
All of that was nice, but the highpoint for me was my grandson Sam wanting to go walking with me. He could have stayed inside to play with his presents, but when I told everyone that I was going to walk up the road a little bit, Sam announced that he wanted to come, too.
It was a small thing, but to me it was really special.
All of that was nice, but the highpoint for me was my grandson Sam wanting to go walking with me. He could have stayed inside to play with his presents, but when I told everyone that I was going to walk up the road a little bit, Sam announced that he wanted to come, too.
It was a small thing, but to me it was really special.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Befuddled by Virginia's Fall Turkeys Again (Post 325)
The next time I hear someone saying that they don't hunt fall turkeys because they're too easy and/or they are saving their tags for the spring season, I may give them a lecture on the spot. I have pursued autumn birds after school this week and this morning (Saturday) without hearing or seeing any. The cold weather, the poor hatch last spring, the heavy mast crop, and the supreme difficulty of going after mature gobblers or hens in the fall have combined to befuddle me.
I suppose I could try again somewhere this afternoon. Instead, I've decided to go climb a tree and try to kill a doe with my Parker Thunderhawk crossbow. It's going to be a warm, relatively speaking, evening so perhaps the deer will be moving.
I suppose I could try again somewhere this afternoon. Instead, I've decided to go climb a tree and try to kill a doe with my Parker Thunderhawk crossbow. It's going to be a warm, relatively speaking, evening so perhaps the deer will be moving.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Chasing Turkeys in the Cold (Blog 324)
I spent a glorious cold, December morning trying to call in three mature gobblers today. I had gone to the top of a Botetourt County, Virginia mountain in an attempt to find a flock, but only encountered the trio of toms when I came back down the mountain. Ironically, the lead gobbler was not far from where my car was parked.
The lead tom scudded into the woods and the other two went in a different direction. But a short time later, the lead turkey began yelping and the other two birds began gobbling. I promptly sat down in between them and engaged in some serious male talk. But in the end, the lead tom circled around me and rejoined his small flock and they went off again - who knows where. I'm going to try to find them again this afternoon, but am not optimistic.
I relish pursuing winter turkeys, though my success rate is poor when I'm after mature gobblers and hens.
The lead tom scudded into the woods and the other two went in a different direction. But a short time later, the lead turkey began yelping and the other two birds began gobbling. I promptly sat down in between them and engaged in some serious male talk. But in the end, the lead tom circled around me and rejoined his small flock and they went off again - who knows where. I'm going to try to find them again this afternoon, but am not optimistic.
I relish pursuing winter turkeys, though my success rate is poor when I'm after mature gobblers and hens.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Rhode Island Red Chickens Working Hard in Garden (Blog 323)
Friday and Saturday, Elaine and I let our two flocks of heritage Rhode Island Reds take turns working in the garden. Actually, work is not the right word for our chickens, but what they accomplish for us is. The Reds truly enjoy their time in the garden, turning over soil, scratching up insects and their larva, and depositing their poop throughout.
For us, we have a free hoeing and insecticide service, plus fertilizing on delivery. It's a win-win for the chickens and us. Our chickens will continue performing their yeoman work until February, when it will be time to let their waste fully decompose and us plan for the April planting of onions and spinach.
For us, we have a free hoeing and insecticide service, plus fertilizing on delivery. It's a win-win for the chickens and us. Our chickens will continue performing their yeoman work until February, when it will be time to let their waste fully decompose and us plan for the April planting of onions and spinach.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Enjoying Wild Game and Fruits for the Holidays (Blog 322)
A Thanksgiving and Christmas meal tradition at our house is to have family members over and enjoy various wild game and fruit dishes. Elaine and I have had David and Sarah and their sons Sam and Eli and also Mark and Ashley over several times during the Thanksgiving Holidays. We've had venison meatball soup, roast venison, and today Elaine is going to make wild turkey breast burgers. We will use eggs from our Rhode Island Reds to enhance the flavor of the burger.
For dessert, we've enjoyed blackberry cobbler, and I hope today to make one last trip to a persimmon tree to gather its fruits. Elaine has already made persimmon bread, but I would like some persimmon cookies this weekend.
There's plenty of potentially great food in the outdoors. All it takes is a willingness to pursue it.
For dessert, we've enjoyed blackberry cobbler, and I hope today to make one last trip to a persimmon tree to gather its fruits. Elaine has already made persimmon bread, but I would like some persimmon cookies this weekend.
There's plenty of potentially great food in the outdoors. All it takes is a willingness to pursue it.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Success on Virginia's Opening Day of General Firearms Season (Blog 321)
This morning, for opening day of what many Virginia hunters call "rifle season," I drove to one of Elaine's and my properties in Craig County. The goal was simple, try to kill a doe before the fierce winds in the forecast drove me off the mountain.
Fortunately, that was what happened. Not long after dawn, a doe came by (at various times between 60 and 80 yards away), but did not offer a good shot. But at just after 7:30 two more does came by. When I first saw them they were over 100 yards away. But they kept meandering along, and the potential shot became easier and easier. Finally at 60 yards distant, the lead doe paused, and the shot rang true. The drag was hard and took awhile, but I wasn't complaining.
Instead of being on a stand this evening, Elaine and I are preparing to play a rousing game of Scrabble; meanwhile the wind is howling. Perhaps I should start our wood stove in the morning for the first time this season.
Fortunately, that was what happened. Not long after dawn, a doe came by (at various times between 60 and 80 yards away), but did not offer a good shot. But at just after 7:30 two more does came by. When I first saw them they were over 100 yards away. But they kept meandering along, and the potential shot became easier and easier. Finally at 60 yards distant, the lead doe paused, and the shot rang true. The drag was hard and took awhile, but I wasn't complaining.
Instead of being on a stand this evening, Elaine and I are preparing to play a rousing game of Scrabble; meanwhile the wind is howling. Perhaps I should start our wood stove in the morning for the first time this season.
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