Foggy's Deertopia Proving Grounds - Happenings

[sandbur]

It was a fun day when you came to my place Art.....always enjoy your company.....and your experience. You provided some good insight into that pond placement. I think it's gonna work out pretty well. Already placed some timber to divert the deer from a current travel path and to that pond. More to do.....but I already have a start. Glad you mentioned digging that water hole in my rifle range plot. That was quick and easy. It's a natural spot for that water hole. Almost had another dug nearby....but figured that would simply give too many choices for water in the same area.

Lots to do next spring / summer at Deertopia. Getting harder to do the work myself....so gotta plan wisely and find a few good kids to help with the physical parts of this. Getting up and down is getting hard for me. My strength is a fraction of that a few years ago. A couple trips in and out of my tractor's cab....slows me down somewhat. I'm learning to pace myself. A few years back I would have thought little to planting those cuttings. Now?....not so much. Gotta keep on keeping on tho.....just picking my battles.

I am feeling the same things . I can’t plant as many, if any, apple trees. Carrying water is hard on my back if we hit a dry spell.
Hard to get off the ground when I gut a deer. Back and knees both.

At least we can tell stories, some of which are even true!

:)

 

[sandbur]

It was a fun day when you came to my place Art.....always enjoy your company.....and your experience. You provided some good insight into that pond placement. I think it's gonna work out pretty well. Already placed some timber to divert the deer from a current travel path and to that pond. More to do.....but I already have a start. Glad you mentioned digging that water hole in my rifle range plot. That was quick and easy. It's a natural spot for that water hole. Almost had another dug nearby....but figured that would simply give too many choices for water in the same area.

Lots to do next spring / summer at Deertopia. Getting harder to do the work myself....so gotta plan wisely and find a few good kids to help with the physical parts of this. Getting up and down is getting hard for me. My strength is a fraction of that a few years ago. A couple trips in and out of my tractor's cab....slows me down somewhat. I'm learning to pace myself. A few years back I would have thought little to planting those cuttings. Now?....not so much. Gotta keep on keeping on tho.....just picking my battles.

That second water hole might be a valuable option during severe drought.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Has anyone observed the stabilization of trout stream banks with bundles of willows?

Yes. I've been a member of Trout Unlimited for years, and our chapter did a lot of bank stabilization projects using various methods. Pushing willow cuttings into stream banks is fairly easy and it works. Helps hold the soil & makes places for bugs to hide - then fall into the water to feed the fish.

 

[Foggy47]

Had to get out of the house today.....and there is a good chance that if I did not get my Ranger home now....that it could become snowbound soon. I plan to be here for January.....and having the means to travel in the Ranger may provide a little variety to my stay. I drove across my new "road across the swamp" which I plan to re-name "Connie's Crossing" to honor my wife and all the effort she put into this place too. Was kinda fun actually today....just to see where the deer were traveling and check out where the deer are bedding....etc.

I do have more deer wintering on my land than ever in the past. Why?... hands-down .better food and winter cover. Gratifying.

I did see that the deer walked across the new water hole....just followed the "road" and had no less travel there than on the nearby trails. Only a few tracks using Connie's Crossing so far....and most of them are predators. Kinda what I expected.....until I add some cover. Good day for me.

 

[sandbur]

Had to get out of the house today.....and there is a good chance that if I did not get my Ranger home now....that it could become snowbound soon. I plan to be here for January.....and having the means to travel in the Ranger may provide a little variety to my stay. I drove across my new "road across the swamp" which I plan to re-name "Connies Crossing" to honor my wife. Was kinda fun actually today....just to see where the deer were traveling and check out where the deer are bedding....etc.

I do have more deer wintering on my land than ever in the past. Why?... hands-down .better food and winter cover. Gratifying.

I did see that the deer walked across the new water hole....just followed the "road" and had no less travel there than on the nearby trails. Only a few tracks using Connies Crossing so far....and most of them are predators. Kinda what I expected.....until I add some cover. Good day for me.View attachment 87049

Looks good. I hope I am around in ten years to see what it looks like.

I would pant a spruce or two on each side of the road and at the edge of the popples.

I might be able to provide a couple.

 

[Foggy47]

Looks good. I hope I am around in ten years to see what it looks like.

I would pant a spruce or two on each side of the road and at the edge of the popples.

I might be able to provide a couple.

Looks good. I hope I am around in ten years to see what it looks like.

I would pant a spruce or two on each side of the road and at the edge of the popples.

I might be able to provide a couple.

I got a few here too art.....I just may put together a "land tour" of Deertopia in late May or very early June.....and show what me and my Mrs got done over the past 15 years or so. This place sure has been a labor of love......and I need an event to make that tribute of "Connies Crossing" a real thing. Gonna work on this. Will do it...and invite y'all to a fun day at Deertopia.

 

[Bill]

love it. But it looks way colder than AZ. :). Also get it.