Recent content by escpen

I think you are right on age structure but it likely depends on timing of seasons, when specific weapons are allowed, how many non-resident tags are allotted, etc. Undoubtedly there will always be unhappy people.

That type of pressure must cause quite a bit of stress on the herd, no? I gotta imagine that has an impact, too. We have a similar situation in NY now, minus the (legal) dog running. The pressure is unreal. Nutrition is certainly a driving factor and you won't have 200"+ bucks where 200"+...

The organization leading a similar charge in NY held the line for decades. Unfortunately, the lobbyists won this year … to cheers from a number of hunters (“the weapon other hunters choose has no impact on how you hunt”) who don’t realize that the slope just got even more slippery.

And Iowa doesn’t seem to be willing to open up crossbows in archery season to further contribute to better age structure. Good on ‘em for that.

I have a similar buck on / around my place. I believe him to be at least 8 years old this year - nobody in our hunting group has laid eyes on this deer and I may have 1 daylight picture of him over the past 4 years. If we didn't run trail cameras, we wouldn't know that he existed!

I don't think it's just a numbers game - I think they also consider buck susceptibility to harvest. The podcast did a good job of explaining the sense of "urgency" that is induced by the season structure which seems to help keep population / doe numbers in check while also allowing bucks to...

To the HUNTR guys' point, many hunters think they want crossbows ... they don't have a full grasp of the long-term consequences, though. Limited access to hunting ground is the major long-term consequence resulting in hunting becoming more and more a rich man's sport. Too many people live for...

Good luck!

From experience, I really regret not being more aggressive in my attempts to purchase the home on 20 acres that neighbors my main hunting property, which is about 2 hours away from where I live. To have the ability to stay on the property and own adjacent land would be invaluable to me. It...

Any reason to NOT buy that offering even though they offer this as well? https://elkmoundseed.com/products/grain-sorghum-seed-a-k-a-red-milo

Would something like this still be too dirty / not worth the risk? https://elkmoundseed.com/products/red-milo-bird-seed

If anyone has any available, I’d be interested in some sawtooth or chinkapin acorns. I do have a very small quantity of dunstan chestnuts stratifying in the fridge for possible trade Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That might work for a portion of the property. A good bit of the ground in question is fairly thick with more desirable stems but there is a lot of autumn olive mixed in. May need more of a scalpel approach in most areas. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My main purpose for considering this tool is for knocking back invasive species like autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, and multi flora rose. I’d rather not cut and pile it up as that will be a ton of work, but I’m not opposed to doing that work if that’s the best option. Would love to take a...

I spoke with a woman from the NRCS office in the county where my land is located. She acknowledged that prescribed burning is one of the tools promoted by the NRCS as a whole but noted that a) none of their employees in NY are trained in that area and b) the DEC will not approve burn plans for...