Catscratch House and Habitat build

[Turkey Creek]

I don't feel like the north - south distance would make much difference in this case as most things like that are photoperiod triggered. We would be about the same for daylength I would guess. Since those high fence deer have all the nutrition they could ever want for as well, I think that again points to photoperiod triggers.

 

[Telemark]

I often wonder of the two biggest bucks I had on camera this year one shed on January 1st and the other was shed by January 21st. Do they start growing right then? I haven't seen anything close to what I would expect if that were the case. I don't know exactly how that works.

My understanding is that the dramatic hormone swings are what cause the biggest bucks to shed earlier than the smallest bucks. I don't think whitetails start growing antlers until the end of March in most of their range.

You should see the red deer where I live. The big boys lost their antlers 3 or 4 weeks ago, and they have around 5-6 inches of growth so far. The stags about 3 years old and under still have their antlers.

 

[Catscratch]

 

[Catscratch]

 

[Catscratch]

 

[fishin coyote]

That sure is a little ring neck. Always cool to see one

 

[Jlane35]

Are those dung beetles?

 

[Catscratch]

Yep, dung beetles. They do some pretty cool stuff for the environment but unfortunately a lot of what ranchers put on cattle for flies kills them.

Love to catch a ringneck every once in a while!

 

[hillrunner]

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Yep, dung beetles. They do some pretty cool stuff for the environment but unfortunately a lot of what ranchers put on cattle for flies kills them.

Love to catch a ringneck every once in a while!

That things got a confident strut I've never seen in a turtle before.

 

[Catscratch]

That things got a confident strut I've never seen in a turtle before.

20lb snappers get to walk however they want here!

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Turtle soup on the hoof.
IMO, ringneck snakes are the most docile snakes I've ever handled. Smooth as glass. That one's a newbie - cool to have around.

 

[Catscratch]

Legless lizard I picked up my run this morning (most of my critter pics come from runs). Not quite as cool as a ringneck but still one of my favorites.

And a few pics of the summer plot coming in. I love to see sprouts but I get real excited once plants start to show what they are.

 

[Catscratch]

Dad messaged this morning and said "The pig" had lost his pet status... time to upgrade him to freezer status. A short track/hunt and a couple of hours of knife time and he's made that step in status. I'm super excited for his next promotion... to the smoker!

 

[SD51555]

Was that a magalista?


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[Catscratch]

Was that a magalista?


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Kunekune. The fattest thing I've ever butchered. I love fat on a chop and a butt and leave plenty on... but I threw away a 5 gallon bucket of fat from this guy.

 

[T-Max]

Kunekune. The fattest thing I've ever butchered. I love fat on a chop and a butt and leave plenty on... but I threw away a 5 gallon bucket of fat from this guy.

View attachment 65243

Crockpot lard is easy and delicious. Next time…


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[Catscratch]

Crockpot lard is easy and delicious. Next time…


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Considered saving it for bird suit but didn't even cross my mind as human food.

 

[SD51555]

Considered saving it for bird suit but didn't even cross my mind as human food.

Well raised pig lard is very healthy, very tasty, and extremely rare. You'll never have better fish when fried in lard.

 

[Catscratch]

The pond weeds are getting pretty bad. With 2yrs of low water I think the coontail moved out about 6ft farther than normal. I ordered a new (to me) chemical and sprayed it around the dock. Hopefully it does some good.