Researchers in whitetail country have begun looking at the impact of coyotes and other predators on whitetail deer and the results are pretty grim. Coyotes are gobbling up fawns at an alarming rate and so are black bears.
In case you haven’t noticed, newborn fawns are beginning to show up in the woods. Turkey hunters are beginning to report them and before long the woods and fields will be covered with them.
The best way to find out if the seed is still good is by testing germination. Testing seed is simple and you will know if you have good seed in a few days. Spread the seed in question on a moist paper towel, sponge or an inch of soil. Use about a half dozen seeds (depending on size) per square inch.
The whitetail deer breeding industry has been getting more than its share of headlines lately. It seems deer breeders and captive whitetail hunting operations are working hard at loosening restrictions on deer breeding operations. They want state wildlife agencies to hand regulation responsibilities over to state agriculture departments. They believe that state agricultural departments will be better for business and will be more willing to ease “excessive” restrictions like curtailing deer transport, identifying and monitoring unique deer for disease, and double fencing to prevent wild deer from contacting captive deer.
With all of the major objections laid to rest, it looks as though a youth deer season in New York is a done deal going forward.
Last week our phone and website came alive with foodplotters placing their spring seed orders. Sadly, few inquired about the most critical aspect of growing a successful food plot: soil testing.
This is a great time of year to get out there on your property and do something for whitetails. One of our favorite projects is to create living brush piles for wildlife. As you might guess, living brush piles are piles of limbs and brush that still produce stems, buds, sprouts and leaves for wildlife food and cover and are virtual wildlife magnets. Let me explain.
Won’t be long before the woods are bursting with blooms. Some of the most spectacular are more than just pretty; they are the precursor of better things to come.
If you are like most of the whitetail freaks out there, you have started thinking food plots. It happens every year, the spring thaw comes and deer property managers start thinking about what to plant for the deer. Note; I said “for the deer”, not “for the deer hunter.” Let me explain.
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