A few habitat pics I thought you might enjoy

[Native Hunter]

My target for 2026 survived gun season, but that is not a guarantee. Same thing last year with two others and neither was back this year. We shall see how this works out.






PS - Both of the old codgers in the post just above survived too, along with a pretty 10 point 3 year old. Life finds a way.

 

[Native Hunter]

Second rut well under way here:

 

[Brian662]

Some beautiful bucks there Native. Next year's crop is looking good!

 

[Native Hunter]

Some beautiful bucks there Native. Next year's crop is looking good!

Thanks Brian. I had thought about hunting that deer with the stickers next week during late ML season, because I thought he was probably 5 or more. However, I've decided to take a chance on him getting bigger next year. I know the big 10 is only 4, so he might really gain a lot.

 

[Brian662]

Those deer with the stickers can really make some cool jumps year to year. Have you had good luck passing shooters and seeing them/hunting them next year?

In MN I've given up passing on bucks that make it this long because it hasn't worked out for me to get a Crack next year. In WI its been a different story and most often get to see them get a year older.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Left g3 on that bottom pic looks LONG! Different class of bucks than what I hunt for sure..

 

[Native Hunter]

Those deer with the stickers can really make some cool jumps year to year. Have you had good luck passing shooters and seeing them/hunting them next year?

In MN I've given up passing on bucks that make it this long because it hasn't worked out for me to get a Crack next year. In WI its been a different story and most often get to see them get a year older.

I had great luck for several years. Probably got 60% back, but not as lucky the last 3 years. Last year I let two different 150s go and didn't get either one back this year. I know that one of them was still alive after season closed.

 

[Native Hunter]

Left g3 on that bottom pic looks LONG! Different class of bucks than what I hunt for sure..

That deer is 4 for sure. I have history on him. He is living dangerously lately with all that daylighting. I had him at 30 yards several times during bow/crossbow and saw him 3 times in gun. He's my #1 target for opening day next year.

 

[Native Hunter]

This is a picture I forgot to post. It is an unusual sight for me - a deer actually eating a nasty ole turnip...yuck...

 

[JORDY]

He must have been really hungry!
I have never had much luck with turnips

 

[Native Hunter]

He must have been really hungry!
I have never had much luck with turnips

That's what chasing too many women can do to you....

 

[Bowsnbucks]

This is a picture I forgot to post. It is an unusual sight for me - a deer actually eating a nasty ole turnip...yuck...

View attachment 86352

Nice pics, Native! Looks like plenty of buck stock left for next year.

Turnip bulbs seem to get eaten in the dead of winter here, but they aren't a "dig every one up" kind of attraction. Turnip tops get plenty of attention in the fall. WW and WR seem to be better draws all winter long - at least here.

 

[Native Hunter]

My pears and a few early crabs are going to see 20 degrees tonight. But, it doesn’t matter. I have a new secret weapon to bait deer - it’s called WATER.

 

[SwampCat]

Maybe now, but come August that water hole will be the source of ehd

 

[Native Hunter]

Maybe now, but come August that water hole will be the source of ehd

EHD kills and severe dehydration kills - pick your poison...

 

[Telemark]

I think they have a treatment for water holes to prevent EHD midges.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Nice looking blossoms, Native. Hoping to see ours soon. Not much deer traffic around that water hole ......

Gonna be 20 or so here too, after that front passes. Red maple buds ready to open into flowers any time here. Hoping for no wind damage - we're in a higher "tor-con" level than usual for such a strong warm/cold weather front. Local weather forecasters saying tornadoes may form along the front.

 

[Native Hunter]

Nice looking blossoms, Native. Hoping to see ours soon. Not much deer traffic around that water hole ......

Gonna be 20 or so here too, after that front passes. Red maple buds ready to open into flowers any time here. Hoping for no wind damage - we're in a higher "tor-con" level than usual for such a strong warm/cold weather front. Local weather forecasters saying tornadoes may form along the front.

Got one more pic to cap the day off - snow on pear blossoms.

 

[omicron1792]

It snowed here in Alabama. Man that global warming!